Pachinko

Pachinko is a generational story, spanning decades, which is set during a time when the Japanese invaded and took over Korea. We follow the story of Sunja, her children and grandchildren and witness the pain and harships they suffer while living in Japan.

There were a few times I became confused between chapters. The author tends to jump from one chapter to the next, dropping you into the characters' lives years later, while simultaneously introducing another character. It's easy to catch back up after a few paragraphs but it can make the flow feel a little stinted.

That being said, this is easy to get lost in. The horror and fear Koreans had to constantly live in was absolutely heartbreaking. This isn't a side of history that is often written about, but I think should be. I am half-Korean and often wonder what my mother and her family went through before coming to America. She doesn't speak of her youth or of where she grew up.

If you enjoy historical fiction I say pick this one up and take your time with it. Go into this one knowing what you get is an ever-present sadness and lives that, while filled with short bursts of happiness, are ultimately clouded in oppression and gloom. It can be a hard read, but it's worth it.