Pachinko / Min Jin Lee

RATINGS

Overall: 4 / 5 stars

Text Level: Medium

Entertainment: High

Self-Help: Low

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Japan, Korea, WWII, Immigrant

Page Count: 554

Is this book right for my inmate and me?

Fans of historical fiction that deal with the struggles of immigrant families might see a similar story to their own.

Buy on: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Review By: Galatic Geek (Inmate)

The characters come alive in this heartwarming story of multi-generational Korean immigrants.

One Korean family's struggle spanned within three generations from the turn of the century until the late 1980s. A story of love, power, deceit, war, friendship and poor to riches, this book is everything and more. It has honestly been one of the best books I have read, hands down. Being the history of fanatic, especially Asian belt history, I have always understood the ruthlessness and barbarian way in which the Japanese have treated other Asian cultures. They are not only savages but extremely cruel in their invading extremes. This Japanese savagery is especially highlighted in Pachinko in their treatment of Korean immigrants. It is still in their society (while not as harsh today). Pachinko digs deeper into the history of the “One nation, one people” psyche of Japan. Four generations of Koreans struggle for survival, education, and above all, acceptance. There are moments of tears in this book and the author, Min Jin Lee, obviously writes this from personal encounters of such bigotry. I wish to have her next book “Food for Millionaires” as it appears to deal with the same style of current immigration to America. I can't wait.