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Mija
Mun-gyeong, 1935. Choi MiJa is getting ready for her first day at the Elementary Good Citizen School in Japanese occupied Korea. The Choi family are wealthy landowners and have been for nineteen generations, but all that is about to change. Their privileged lifestyle will soon disappear forever, and burgeoning love is put on hold as the family have to endure hardship and loss of the Japanese Occupation, the Second World War, and the Korean War.
When peace finally arrives, there is great hope for the future, and Korea has a chance to build a just and fair society. Will it succeed?
MiJa is a timeless story that sweeps the reader from the gated town of Mun-gyeong, a mountain pass so high that even the birds cannot fly through it, to the besieged war-torn city of Busan where they have to live in the shantytown of Ami-dong built from reused gravestones.
Eventually MiJa finds herself in the remote fishing port of Mukho, on the border with North Korea, where she joins the a matriarchal group of fisherwomen.
MiJa is a tale of un-blossomed love, female sacrifice, and how a family’s hopes and dreams are crushed by the weight of historical events that still resonate in modern-day Korea.
When peace finally arrives, there is great hope for the future, and Korea has a chance to build a just and fair society. Will it succeed?
MiJa is a timeless story that sweeps the reader from the gated town of Mun-gyeong, a mountain pass so high that even the birds cannot fly through it, to the besieged war-torn city of Busan where they have to live in the shantytown of Ami-dong built from reused gravestones.
Eventually MiJa finds herself in the remote fishing port of Mukho, on the border with North Korea, where she joins the a matriarchal group of fisherwomen.
MiJa is a tale of un-blossomed love, female sacrifice, and how a family’s hopes and dreams are crushed by the weight of historical events that still resonate in modern-day Korea.
372 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2023
About the author
Mark Atkinson
1 book15 followersMark Atkinson hails from the north country and lives in England’s finest county.
He was educated in the UK and Singapore and after graduation was head-hunted for a job in Borneo. He has spent the last few decades working overseas as an expat vagabond in the glamorous destinations afforded by the oil & gas industry that usually involves jungle, desert or ice but one day he hopes to do the decent thing and quit it all and become a full-time writer.
His first novel MiJa, was well received and has some excellent reviews and was followed by a noir short story collection The Dark Side and soon to be released second novel, Farm Animal. He doesn’t do happy endings but uses fiction to uncover the unwanted and unvarnished truth.
All his books are published by Bookmark Publications, and he may be contacted via their website: https://www.bookmark-publications.com.
He was educated in the UK and Singapore and after graduation was head-hunted for a job in Borneo. He has spent the last few decades working overseas as an expat vagabond in the glamorous destinations afforded by the oil & gas industry that usually involves jungle, desert or ice but one day he hopes to do the decent thing and quit it all and become a full-time writer.
His first novel MiJa, was well received and has some excellent reviews and was followed by a noir short story collection The Dark Side and soon to be released second novel, Farm Animal. He doesn’t do happy endings but uses fiction to uncover the unwanted and unvarnished truth.
All his books are published by Bookmark Publications, and he may be contacted via their website: https://www.bookmark-publications.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 5, 2023
Upon reading the synopsis I knew Atkinson's MiJa had the potential to be reminiscent of Min Jin Lee's Pachinko - a story about a Korean family who emigrate to Japan during the Japanese occupation of Korea - with the promise of capturing the experience of one family during times of joy, hardship and sorrow. MiJa primarily follows the eponymous MiJa from her childhood to her elderly years, with the geopolitical landscape of Korea altering dramatically in this time - through Japanese occupation, World War Two, puppet governments with strings pulled by the USA and the North/South divide. There are glimmers of hope, tragic moments of torment, and grief too heavy for a family to carry without consequence.
Atkinson's storytelling is good, especially considering the length and breadth of MiJa's story. His characterisation of MiJa's youth was engaging and the characterisation of her mother, Boknam, was sublime. The choice of a prologue and how much or how little to reveal was brilliant too; it is meaningful and purposeful. Atkinson also employs multiple narratives at times to widen the scope of the narrative - enriching our understanding of and empathy for MiJa's family and the people of Korea. The only disappointment is the swift narrative turn and jump towards the novel's resolution. This felt rushed and in drastic contrast to the pacing previously.
Nonetheless, MiJa's story was moving and Atkinson furthers this by continuing to include the narrative paths of secondary characters too, until the very end. MiJa is for readers who enjoy rich storytelling which spans generations, it is for those who wish to read tales which centre family, loss and fortitude, and it is especially perfect for readers intimidated by colossal reads such as Pachinko by Min Jin Lee and One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Atkinson's writing is digestible and thoroughly enjoyable.
Atkinson's storytelling is good, especially considering the length and breadth of MiJa's story. His characterisation of MiJa's youth was engaging and the characterisation of her mother, Boknam, was sublime. The choice of a prologue and how much or how little to reveal was brilliant too; it is meaningful and purposeful. Atkinson also employs multiple narratives at times to widen the scope of the narrative - enriching our understanding of and empathy for MiJa's family and the people of Korea. The only disappointment is the swift narrative turn and jump towards the novel's resolution. This felt rushed and in drastic contrast to the pacing previously.
Nonetheless, MiJa's story was moving and Atkinson furthers this by continuing to include the narrative paths of secondary characters too, until the very end. MiJa is for readers who enjoy rich storytelling which spans generations, it is for those who wish to read tales which centre family, loss and fortitude, and it is especially perfect for readers intimidated by colossal reads such as Pachinko by Min Jin Lee and One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Atkinson's writing is digestible and thoroughly enjoyable.
May 16, 2023
MiJa is the main character in this story and the novel recounts her life. When we first meet her as a child, she’s the second daughter of a loving father and a selfish, lazy mother. However, it’s the time of the Japanese occupation of Korea and there are outside tensions - the Japanese want their land, native religion has been replaced by Japanese shinto and at school they are all given Japanese names before the glories of Japan are repeatedly extolled.
As the story unfolds, the family suffer under the Japanese occupation, suffer under the Pacific War, suffer under the Korean civil war and don’t do much better afterwards. If you’re after uplifting and feel-good, I’d pick a different novel.
The author does a good job of keeping the story moving over such a long time period (although it would benefit from slowing down a fraction in places). The story also shifts narrators so we hear a couple of times from an English medic as well as from various family members. This helps flesh out what happened to MiJa’s sister and brother when they weren’t with her but seems to have come at the expense of a little more character development/depth so that we can get to know them.
If you’ve read Min Jin Lee’s Pachinko and you’d like to find out more about Korea in the first half of the twentieth century, then this novel is a good place to start.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
As the story unfolds, the family suffer under the Japanese occupation, suffer under the Pacific War, suffer under the Korean civil war and don’t do much better afterwards. If you’re after uplifting and feel-good, I’d pick a different novel.
The author does a good job of keeping the story moving over such a long time period (although it would benefit from slowing down a fraction in places). The story also shifts narrators so we hear a couple of times from an English medic as well as from various family members. This helps flesh out what happened to MiJa’s sister and brother when they weren’t with her but seems to have come at the expense of a little more character development/depth so that we can get to know them.
If you’ve read Min Jin Lee’s Pachinko and you’d like to find out more about Korea in the first half of the twentieth century, then this novel is a good place to start.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 20, 2026
Very moving
I love South Korea. I lived there for a while and I am very interested in the history. When I lived there, I knew a lady who understood Japanese but would never speak it. I asked someone about it and they told me she was a schoolgirl when the Japanese took over the country and made all the children learn Japanese. They also gave all the children Japanese names. The Japanese were not kind to the Koreans and were hated. So this woman would not speak Japanese as her own private rebellion.
That's part of my background for MiJa. She is a young girl when the book opens and the Japanese have just taken the country. Her family is very well off, but her father loses everything because he will not cooperate with the Japanese.
The book continues through her life. Her mother is cruel and always scheming to get back to the leisurely life of the upper class. MiJa's older sister leaves to become a nurse during World War II. We see the family struggle through the war, then barely get back on their feet before the Korean War.
This was a rough time when the country split into North and South Korea. mija was very hard-working and industrious, someone you would want to be friends with. Her life was filled with disappointments and hardships, but she was able to still find the good in things and persevere.
I loved this book. Even the amazing coincidence at the end didn't bother me because I was happy for MiJa. I rarely reread books, but there's a good chance I will read this one again.
I love South Korea. I lived there for a while and I am very interested in the history. When I lived there, I knew a lady who understood Japanese but would never speak it. I asked someone about it and they told me she was a schoolgirl when the Japanese took over the country and made all the children learn Japanese. They also gave all the children Japanese names. The Japanese were not kind to the Koreans and were hated. So this woman would not speak Japanese as her own private rebellion.
That's part of my background for MiJa. She is a young girl when the book opens and the Japanese have just taken the country. Her family is very well off, but her father loses everything because he will not cooperate with the Japanese.
The book continues through her life. Her mother is cruel and always scheming to get back to the leisurely life of the upper class. MiJa's older sister leaves to become a nurse during World War II. We see the family struggle through the war, then barely get back on their feet before the Korean War.
This was a rough time when the country split into North and South Korea. mija was very hard-working and industrious, someone you would want to be friends with. Her life was filled with disappointments and hardships, but she was able to still find the good in things and persevere.
I loved this book. Even the amazing coincidence at the end didn't bother me because I was happy for MiJa. I rarely reread books, but there's a good chance I will read this one again.
May 21, 2023
Wow just amazing. This story is the best I have read in a long time. It was so well written that I was hanging on the authors every word. I really couldn't put this book down. It's definitely been a long time that I have been this invested in a novel and I read a lot of books. This story was so sad, emotional and atmospheric it almost felt like a true story. It's certainly a story about resilience. It really shocked me in places. It is also inspiring, if Mija can get through all life threw at her then so can we. I really can't recommend this book enough. It's a fantastic historical fiction set in South Korea. The story goes through so many changes within the country. Through civil War, occupation, failing crops, school changes, kidnap and death. Its certainly a roller coaster ride. This story will stay with me for a very long time. I know we are only in the end of January and I will probably read another 400 books. But, this book is definitely likely to be book of the year. It will take a lot to knock it off my top spot. I was totally engrossed in this book and read it all in one sitting. The characters were amazing and well developed. Only the highest of praise goes out to the author and publishing team for creating the most perfect novel. I really hope this author writes more books. I will certainly keep my eyes peeled.
October 11, 2026
MiJa is a work of fiction based on true events. It is unbearably sad but also has joy and hope and shows us the true spirit and strength of the human race. It also shows us the evil the human race is capable of. It is incredibly moving.
Mun-gyeong, 1935. Choi MiJa is getting ready for her first day at the Elementary Good Citizen School in Japanese occupied Korea. The Choi family are wealthy landowners and have been for nineteen generations, but all that is about to change. Their privileged lifestyle will soon disappear forever, and burgeoning love is put on hold as the family have to endure hardship and loss of the Japanese Occupation, the Second World War, and the Korean War.
When peace finally arrives, there is great hope for the future, and Korea has a chance to build a just and fair society. Will it succeed?
MiJa is a timeless story that sweeps the reader from the gated town of Mun-gyeong, a mountain pass so high that even the birds cannot fly through it, to the besieged war-torn city of Busan where they have to live in the shantytown of Ami-dong built from reused gravestones.
Eventually MiJa finds herself in the remote fishing port of Mukho, on the border with North Korea, where she joins the a matriarchal group of fisherwomen.
MiJa is a tale of un-blossomed love, female sacrifice, and how a family’s hopes and dreams are crushed by the weight of historical events that still resonate in modern-day Korea.
Mun-gyeong, 1935. Choi MiJa is getting ready for her first day at the Elementary Good Citizen School in Japanese occupied Korea. The Choi family are wealthy landowners and have been for nineteen generations, but all that is about to change. Their privileged lifestyle will soon disappear forever, and burgeoning love is put on hold as the family have to endure hardship and loss of the Japanese Occupation, the Second World War, and the Korean War.
When peace finally arrives, there is great hope for the future, and Korea has a chance to build a just and fair society. Will it succeed?
MiJa is a timeless story that sweeps the reader from the gated town of Mun-gyeong, a mountain pass so high that even the birds cannot fly through it, to the besieged war-torn city of Busan where they have to live in the shantytown of Ami-dong built from reused gravestones.
Eventually MiJa finds herself in the remote fishing port of Mukho, on the border with North Korea, where she joins the a matriarchal group of fisherwomen.
MiJa is a tale of un-blossomed love, female sacrifice, and how a family’s hopes and dreams are crushed by the weight of historical events that still resonate in modern-day Korea.
May 11, 2023
MiJa tells the story of the titular MiJa, a Korean girl, from sometime in her early childhood in the 1930s until the death of her (horrible) mother in the 1970s. As expected for such a tumultuous time, it covers a LOT, including the Japanese occupation of Korea, WWII, and the rebuilding of Korea.
Although I generally don't like stories which just sort of follow the life of a character (without a lot of additional plot elements), I found "MiJa" incredibly engrossing. Some of this, I think, is due to the vividness of the writing as well as attention to historical detail. (I generally felt like I was there.) Some of this is due to what a fascinating time period this was.
With that said, this is a hard read as it does cover the horrors of WWII (I found the scenes with the comfort women especially unsettling). So if that's something that will disturb you too much, I do recommend avoiding. (It reminded me somewhat of Ha Jin's masterful "Nanking Requium", which is also an exceptionally difficult book to read due to the subject matter.) But I do think these are *valuable* things to record and, if a reader is too sensitive, potentially he/she could skip over those parts.
Although I generally don't like stories which just sort of follow the life of a character (without a lot of additional plot elements), I found "MiJa" incredibly engrossing. Some of this, I think, is due to the vividness of the writing as well as attention to historical detail. (I generally felt like I was there.) Some of this is due to what a fascinating time period this was.
With that said, this is a hard read as it does cover the horrors of WWII (I found the scenes with the comfort women especially unsettling). So if that's something that will disturb you too much, I do recommend avoiding. (It reminded me somewhat of Ha Jin's masterful "Nanking Requium", which is also an exceptionally difficult book to read due to the subject matter.) But I do think these are *valuable* things to record and, if a reader is too sensitive, potentially he/she could skip over those parts.
May 1, 2023
A fictionalized tale Korea under Japanese occupation
This was a horrible time in history – erasing a people’s culture
The Japanese subjected the Korean children to a robust re-education program, similar to what the U.S. did to the natives.
The children were molded by their blunt haircuts, school uniforms, and mixed-sex classes. Their ethnicity was supplanted by the Japanese national anthem, language, history, and even religion (Shinto).
‘Emperor Hirohito…decided to educate the people of Korea, for free. The first duty of a good citizen is to worship the Japanese Emperor.’
‘Without a Japanese name, you are nobody.’
The gentry lost their lands government theft, some of which was handed over to traitors.
I have much to learn about Korea and found some educational sites to visit online that I most likely would have missed if not for this book:
The Japanese Occupation (National Museum of Forced Mobilization)
Hahoe Folk Village, Yangdong Village of Gyeongju, and Korean Folk Village
Korean War Exhibition Hall, Goseong Unification Observation Tower, and DMZ Museum
This was a horrible time in history – erasing a people’s culture
The Japanese subjected the Korean children to a robust re-education program, similar to what the U.S. did to the natives.
The children were molded by their blunt haircuts, school uniforms, and mixed-sex classes. Their ethnicity was supplanted by the Japanese national anthem, language, history, and even religion (Shinto).
‘Emperor Hirohito…decided to educate the people of Korea, for free. The first duty of a good citizen is to worship the Japanese Emperor.’
‘Without a Japanese name, you are nobody.’
The gentry lost their lands government theft, some of which was handed over to traitors.
I have much to learn about Korea and found some educational sites to visit online that I most likely would have missed if not for this book:
The Japanese Occupation (National Museum of Forced Mobilization)
Hahoe Folk Village, Yangdong Village of Gyeongju, and Korean Folk Village
Korean War Exhibition Hall, Goseong Unification Observation Tower, and DMZ Museum
May 10, 2023
This is the story of Mija and her family in Korea. It starts with her first day in school and goes through the events which she lives through including wars
I just loved this book for the story which is anguishing so often. However there are moments of great joy too although they can seem very far between at times
The other characters are given the chance to tell their stories too. From her mother who is only interested in herself to the boy she sits next to in class and soon develops a friendship with.
I am someone who had very little knowledge of the history of Korea in this time frame and although fiction it taught me a lot about the reality of this troubled country. We learn about the horrors of both WWII and the Korean war and how every family was affected
This book deserves a wide readership.
If you like books with a compelling story then this is for you.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I just loved this book for the story which is anguishing so often. However there are moments of great joy too although they can seem very far between at times
The other characters are given the chance to tell their stories too. From her mother who is only interested in herself to the boy she sits next to in class and soon develops a friendship with.
I am someone who had very little knowledge of the history of Korea in this time frame and although fiction it taught me a lot about the reality of this troubled country. We learn about the horrors of both WWII and the Korean war and how every family was affected
This book deserves a wide readership.
If you like books with a compelling story then this is for you.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 29, 2023
*I got this book in a goodreads giveaway*
A fantastic piece of historical fiction. Though heart wrenching this book kept me interested and truly caring about the characters during each moment. Everything felt so real, like this could have been a true story. I haven't read anything set during this tumultuous time of Korean history and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The only downsides are that there were a few noticeable typos but they didn't detract from the story at all, and the names of the South Korean heads of state were changed for some reason, while Kim Il-Sung is named correctly as the North Korean head of state. It didn't take away from the book or anything, it was just a bit confusing.
A fantastic piece of historical fiction. Though heart wrenching this book kept me interested and truly caring about the characters during each moment. Everything felt so real, like this could have been a true story. I haven't read anything set during this tumultuous time of Korean history and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The only downsides are that there were a few noticeable typos but they didn't detract from the story at all, and the names of the South Korean heads of state were changed for some reason, while Kim Il-Sung is named correctly as the North Korean head of state. It didn't take away from the book or anything, it was just a bit confusing.
June 8, 2026
This is an interesting introduction to life in Korea that takes MiJa from being a privileged little girl to poverty after WWII. Her life varies tremendously. She is intelligent and resilient. Her mother is selfish and lazy.
The descriptions of the life in Korea before the war, during the war and afterwards are vivid. The political descriptions are pretty one sided.
There are a few times when the events are not fully developed. I was torn between 3.5 and 4. I am glad I read it. This was my first exposure to a story based in Korea. China and Japan differ greatly in some ways from Korea. They are similar in their view of a woman's place in society.
The descriptions of the life in Korea before the war, during the war and afterwards are vivid. The political descriptions are pretty one sided.
There are a few times when the events are not fully developed. I was torn between 3.5 and 4. I am glad I read it. This was my first exposure to a story based in Korea. China and Japan differ greatly in some ways from Korea. They are similar in their view of a woman's place in society.
May 14, 2023
I enjoyed this novel very much! A fascinating story about a country I hardly know anything about!
I felt though that the novel could have been longer. Some parts could have been dealt with in greater detail, and more depth would have been welcome. A few coincidences occuring in the characters ' story did not feel realistic to me.
A good historical research has added a lot to my enjoying this novel.
I received a complimentary ARC of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.
I felt though that the novel could have been longer. Some parts could have been dealt with in greater detail, and more depth would have been welcome. A few coincidences occuring in the characters ' story did not feel realistic to me.
A good historical research has added a lot to my enjoying this novel.
I received a complimentary ARC of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.
September 20, 2026
I hate to give this a 3 star rating but...
It was very slow-paced and took quite an effort to finish. I usually am able to read a book like this in 2-3 days. This one took me 2-3 weeks. Not only was the pacing slow but the English teacher in me was able to spot many errors that became distracting to the reader.
However....I learned so MUCH about Korean history that I do feel bad about giving it 3 stars. I think this would have been a fantastic series of 2 or even 3 books had it been properly paced and edited.
It was very slow-paced and took quite an effort to finish. I usually am able to read a book like this in 2-3 days. This one took me 2-3 weeks. Not only was the pacing slow but the English teacher in me was able to spot many errors that became distracting to the reader.
However....I learned so MUCH about Korean history that I do feel bad about giving it 3 stars. I think this would have been a fantastic series of 2 or even 3 books had it been properly paced and edited.
June 26, 2026
4.5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫. I enjoyed this read. I did not know much about the war in Korea before this. It was enlightening. It once again affirms that governments are selfish, and it is the poor and innocent that pay the price for their decisions. Mija and her sister's stories will stay with me for a long time. It can get a bit too detailed in places, especially towards the end. But that did not hinder too much with the reading experience.
June 28, 2026
An Amazing Journey
Oh my goodness! This book was indeed an amazing tale!! Based on historical events, it opened my eyes to so much! I highly recommend this book to everyone! It gave me a different perspective on life, war, poverty and wealth! Man’s evil has no bounds. I cried and cherished MIJA and cheered her on Eve. As she lost so much. She lived in peace knowing she was loved by God!!! I cannot find the words to express just how much I got from this book! Thank you!
Oh my goodness! This book was indeed an amazing tale!! Based on historical events, it opened my eyes to so much! I highly recommend this book to everyone! It gave me a different perspective on life, war, poverty and wealth! Man’s evil has no bounds. I cried and cherished MIJA and cheered her on Eve. As she lost so much. She lived in peace knowing she was loved by God!!! I cannot find the words to express just how much I got from this book! Thank you!
May 11, 2023
I love books that make me feel vivid emotions
Thanks to this story, we can experience the life of the protagonist and experience the same feelings
This book made a deep impression on me
Characters make you feel empathy and hate
Heroes make you think about them all day and analyze what you read
Highly recommend
Thanks to this story, we can experience the life of the protagonist and experience the same feelings
This book made a deep impression on me
Characters make you feel empathy and hate
Heroes make you think about them all day and analyze what you read
Highly recommend
Read
May 18, 2023A historical fiction story about Choi MiJa. We follow along on her journey from childhood to adulthood. A difficult adventure that will pull at your heartstrings and root for her survival. A beautifully and poignant story.
I received an advance review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 2, 2026
MiJa
This was an interesting and well researched book, I don’t really know that much about Korea or Southeast Asia and this helped me understand gaps of historical knowledge.
The characters were well written and the perspective of MiJa was clear. The cultural influence and factors created by war were well understood.
This was an interesting and well researched book, I don’t really know that much about Korea or Southeast Asia and this helped me understand gaps of historical knowledge.
The characters were well written and the perspective of MiJa was clear. The cultural influence and factors created by war were well understood.
August 2, 2026
I am interested in this time period and culture, and I enjoyed the first half of the book. However, I began to get bored with so much focus on war as the book progressed. Some people like war details--I do not. I want the story of people and their lives and how they were impacted by the wars, but I do not care to read pages upon pages of detailed descriptions of war.
August 15, 2026
A good, but sad story
MIJA is a story about a girl growing up in Korea, in a country undergoing vast changes, from World War II, through and beyond the Korean conflict. It is a story of loss and suffering, class conflict and war. It has some glimmers of hope, but mostly it is a story that is not happy and reveals the inner pain of loss and suffering.
MIJA is a story about a girl growing up in Korea, in a country undergoing vast changes, from World War II, through and beyond the Korean conflict. It is a story of loss and suffering, class conflict and war. It has some glimmers of hope, but mostly it is a story that is not happy and reveals the inner pain of loss and suffering.
June 15, 2023
Love a good historical novel. This one has a lot of history and is hard to put down. Following the journey of the characters sweeps you away into the history of the times and place. Good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 12, 2024
A powerful tale
A rich story that doesn't shy away from the horrors of war. Beautifully written. The epilogue and prologue had me anxious, but I couldn't stop reading. I highly recommend.
A rich story that doesn't shy away from the horrors of war. Beautifully written. The epilogue and prologue had me anxious, but I couldn't stop reading. I highly recommend.
March 6, 2024
Love draw out of sorrow
Mija's life demonstrated how sorrow can harden and destroy the human spirit but, for the resilient few, like herself, the strength of hope and love can transcend adversities.
Mija's life demonstrated how sorrow can harden and destroy the human spirit but, for the resilient few, like herself, the strength of hope and love can transcend adversities.
July 12, 2026
I really enjoyed this book and was so surprised when I read it was this author's first. What an incredible feat to write such an inspiring story with so much interesting history intertwined. Thank you!
September 20, 2026
it was great!
Well researched history of South Korea. I started reading and couldn’t stop. I guess corruption happens everywhere. Got a better perspective on North & South Korea. I recommend this book!
Well researched history of South Korea. I started reading and couldn’t stop. I guess corruption happens everywhere. Got a better perspective on North & South Korea. I recommend this book!
May 22, 2023
Couldn't put this down. Highly immersive, beautiful storytelling. Best read of 2023 so far!!!
June 10, 2023
great book
Tragic, bittersweet, and beautifully detailed. Some moments were hard to read, but the events it portray are historically important. Well written.
Tragic, bittersweet, and beautifully detailed. Some moments were hard to read, but the events it portray are historically important. Well written.
July 23, 2023
Haunting
Haunting story of love death and greed of humans. Can't think what to write the book was really enjoyed eye opener
Haunting story of love death and greed of humans. Can't think what to write the book was really enjoyed eye opener
June 20, 2026
I really enjoyed this book.
So much tragedy but also snippets of joy.
It was an interesting historical journey too.
So much tragedy but also snippets of joy.
It was an interesting historical journey too.
August 6, 2026
Really good story, learnt alot about the history of Korea after reading this. It gives an overview of the history through the different characters.
Certainly makes you think and reflect
Certainly makes you think and reflect
October 17, 2026
Interesting and informative.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews