Pachinko by Min Jin Lee was
named one of the top ten books of the year by the New York Times as well as
being a finalist for the National Book
Award, among many other awards. When I chose this as an Audible selection I
didn’t know any of this.
My
first impression was that it was a gentle book, engaging and an easy listen. If
it is possible to inject culture and way of life into writing, Min Jin Lee does
so. It was like listening to a watercolor.
Pachinko is the story of a
Korean family that immigrates to Japan at the turn of the twentieth century
prior to the World Wars. The story follows four generations of that family;
first the women of the family, and then the men as they struggle to incorporate
into the Japanese culture. In an unassuming and subtle way we are introduced to
the racism and intense difficulties this family and the Korean people in
general suffered and no doubt still suffer. All because they were born in Korea
and not Japan. The similarities to racism in America are startling, surprising and
eye-opening.
Pachinko
is the name of a game which becomes the livelihood of the family. In spite of
this somewhat shady profession, the members of the family are honest,
hard-working, resilient and strong. Fascinating and illuminating.
Recommend.
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