Pachinko - [9.5/10]

A very beautiful novel. Follows generations of a Korean family and their struggles with the situation of the war and being accepted in foreign lands. Very interesting as I learnt a lot about the conflicts between the Japanese and Koreans, which I did not know was a thing before. It tackles many prevalent issues and human themes. A very relevant example is towards the end of the story, where Korean's are still not fully accepted in Japan, as Japanese people even though they and their parents were born and fully raised in that country, and when they go back to South Korea, they are treated as outsiders as they speak Japanese and due to their mannerisms. The book follows multiple generations, but nothing feels forced or rushed, it takes it's time throughout. Really interesting to be immersed in another culture, and see the different values and how their culture differs from ours. Also, racism is bad. 

Author: Min Jin Lee

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