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Song for Another Home: 'Fans of Pachinko will love this' Good Housekeeping
'Exceptional, immersive and evocative ... full of spirit'
Buzz Magazine
'Astonishing, huge in its scale and evocation of an unsung history' Luke Kennard, Booker-longlisted author of Black Bag
'Paints a heartfelt tale of wartime Korean orphanages and shanty towns' Yangsze Choo, New York Times-bestselling author of The Fox Wife
THE STUNNING HISTORICAL NOVEL FROM A REESE'S BOOK CLUB FELLOW
1950, Pyongyang. Oksoon's father - confident that the war is over - has left for Seoul in search of opportunity. There is nothing to do but wait, until the Chinese army attacks and forces Oksoon, her mother and her brother to flee southward themselves. But the journey is dangerous, and wartime makes enemies of even the kindest of friends.
Meanwhile, Oksoon's cousin Junho has found uncertain refuge in a struggling orphanage near the southern coast. When the orphanage director's rich niece arrives, harbouring a secret, Junho must choose between his duty and his dreams if they are all to survive...
What readers are
'Put this on your TBR list! 5 golden stars for me'
'Highly recommended ... as emotionally rich as it is historically illuminating'
'An impressive debut that is a page turner'
'Oh my heart. This is a must-read book!'
'What Reed does brilliantly is hold the large and the intimate at once. The war is never backdrop but the story never loses sight of the small human negotiations happening inside it'
'Astonishing, huge in its scale and evocation of an unsung history' Luke Kennard, Booker-longlisted author of Black Bag
'Paints a heartfelt tale of wartime Korean orphanages and shanty towns' Yangsze Choo, New York Times-bestselling author of The Fox Wife
THE STUNNING HISTORICAL NOVEL FROM A REESE'S BOOK CLUB FELLOW
1950, Pyongyang. Oksoon's father - confident that the war is over - has left for Seoul in search of opportunity. There is nothing to do but wait, until the Chinese army attacks and forces Oksoon, her mother and her brother to flee southward themselves. But the journey is dangerous, and wartime makes enemies of even the kindest of friends.
Meanwhile, Oksoon's cousin Junho has found uncertain refuge in a struggling orphanage near the southern coast. When the orphanage director's rich niece arrives, harbouring a secret, Junho must choose between his duty and his dreams if they are all to survive...
What readers are
'Put this on your TBR list! 5 golden stars for me'
'Highly recommended ... as emotionally rich as it is historically illuminating'
'An impressive debut that is a page turner'
'Oh my heart. This is a must-read book!'
'What Reed does brilliantly is hold the large and the intimate at once. The war is never backdrop but the story never loses sight of the small human negotiations happening inside it'
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 21, 2026
About the author
Bora Lee Reed
2 books73 followersBora Lee Reed has an MFA in creative writing from Warren Wilson College and an MA in theology from the Graduate Theological Union. She was a 2023 Reese’s Book Club LitUp Fellow. She lives and works in Berkeley, CA. SONG FOR ANOTHER HOME is her first book.
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July 26, 2026
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⭐⭐⭐⭐
Song for Another Home
Bora Lee Reed
Publication Date: July 21st, 2026
Simon & Schuster | 37 Ink
320 Pages
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Genre: General Fiction
This book takes place in Korea during the war between the North and South in the 1950s. We get two points of view during the same timeline. One is from Oksoon's point of view when her family is made to leave their home in Pyongyang after China becomes part of the war. They live through starvation and severe weather trying to head south to Seoul on foot to meet up with family members. Along the way, they meet a gnarly bunch of people and become a found family, working together at a restaurant.
We also get Junho's point of view. He is Oksoon's cousin and is at an orphanage in Jinju, which is much further south. Because Junho knows a bit of English, he is given the task of writing letters to US missionaries and other donors to raise money for the orphanage. When the director brings his fancy-pants niece to live at the orphanage, Junho falls in love—but is he willing to risk food and shelter for her?
This is a wonderfully written debut. I am not known to be a big fan of historical fiction, but this promised lots of drama, and it delivered. I loved how both storylines showed resilience during such a hard time in history; the way this family dealt with their hardships showed true strength. The dual perspectives worked exceptionally well, highlighting the contrast between the two journeys—one rough and the other precarious—during the war.
The characters truly earn their keep, and the author doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of the time. The family meets all kinds of people just trying to make it, prostitutes and gamblers included. Everyone's morals are tested simply by trying to survive, while Junho's forbidden love adds a deep emotional angle to the story.
The writing style is quite lyrical, and while that usually doesn't work for me, you can definitely tell the author is a poet. Descriptions of the weather, the people, and the surroundings are vividly rendered.
The pacing in the middle slows down just a tiny bit once the characters adapt to their struggles, and a few subplots felt a little rushed toward the end, but the emotional payoff more than makes up for it. The ending was excellent. Overall, this was a very poignant book packed with emotion, and I really look forward to seeing what this author comes up with next!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The Book Review Crew Blog
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Song for Another Home
Bora Lee Reed
Publication Date: July 21st, 2026
Simon & Schuster | 37 Ink
320 Pages
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Genre: General Fiction
This book takes place in Korea during the war between the North and South in the 1950s. We get two points of view during the same timeline. One is from Oksoon's point of view when her family is made to leave their home in Pyongyang after China becomes part of the war. They live through starvation and severe weather trying to head south to Seoul on foot to meet up with family members. Along the way, they meet a gnarly bunch of people and become a found family, working together at a restaurant.
We also get Junho's point of view. He is Oksoon's cousin and is at an orphanage in Jinju, which is much further south. Because Junho knows a bit of English, he is given the task of writing letters to US missionaries and other donors to raise money for the orphanage. When the director brings his fancy-pants niece to live at the orphanage, Junho falls in love—but is he willing to risk food and shelter for her?
This is a wonderfully written debut. I am not known to be a big fan of historical fiction, but this promised lots of drama, and it delivered. I loved how both storylines showed resilience during such a hard time in history; the way this family dealt with their hardships showed true strength. The dual perspectives worked exceptionally well, highlighting the contrast between the two journeys—one rough and the other precarious—during the war.
The characters truly earn their keep, and the author doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of the time. The family meets all kinds of people just trying to make it, prostitutes and gamblers included. Everyone's morals are tested simply by trying to survive, while Junho's forbidden love adds a deep emotional angle to the story.
The writing style is quite lyrical, and while that usually doesn't work for me, you can definitely tell the author is a poet. Descriptions of the weather, the people, and the surroundings are vividly rendered.
The pacing in the middle slows down just a tiny bit once the characters adapt to their struggles, and a few subplots felt a little rushed toward the end, but the emotional payoff more than makes up for it. The ending was excellent. Overall, this was a very poignant book packed with emotion, and I really look forward to seeing what this author comes up with next!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Want to Read
March 9, 2026In my era of great fiction books and this seems like it will be a good one.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster and the author, Bora Lee Reed for an early copy.
Publication date: July 21, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster and the author, Bora Lee Reed for an early copy.
Publication date: July 21, 2026
August 1, 2026
3.5 stars
This is an interesting story about a historical time period that doesn’t often get written about – the Korean War and the subsequent division of the country into North and South Korea. Told from two alternating points of view, the story revolves around a family torn apart by war and the resilience that brings them together.
Oksoon is a teenage girl living in Pyeongyang who sets off with her mother and second brother Changho to look for her father and older brother in the south, where they had gone to look for opportunities but never returned. On their journey, they encounter numerous hardships, but manage to find ways to survive amidst the devastation of war, especially when they finally reach the southern city of Seoul where they meet others who are also trying to do the best they can given the circumstances. Together, they form a “found family” of sorts, combining efforts as well as resources to make their situation more tenable.
Further south, in the mountainous region of Jinju, Oksoon’s cousin Junho finds refuge at an orphanage where he uses his limited understanding of English to write letters to American benefactors in the hopes of helping the orphanage secure funds to keep its doors open. When the orphanage director brings her niece Miss Kim to live with them, the mysterious circumstances of her situation alter Junho’s perspective in ways that threaten to upend the safety of the refuge that he worked so hard to attain.
Overall, I have mixed feelings toward this book. On the one hand, I appreciate the author, Bora Lee Reed’s efforts to shed light on a period of history that is often forgotten about, outside of Asia especially. Significantly, Reed draws on her own family history as inspiration for the story, which lends an authenticity and familiarity to the work that sets it apart from other historical fiction novels. With that said however, I felt that the story lacked emotional depth, which was of course surprising given the author’s personal connection to the subject matter. To me, the writing felt emotionally distant to the point that I found it difficult to become invested in the characters enough to care about things that happen. There was also a lot of “telling” of what the various characters do as well as some descriptions of surroundings that seemed irrelevant to what was going on at the time. While it wasn’t overwhelming to the point of bogging down the entire story, it did slow things down a little.
As a debut novel, I would say that this was a good first effort from Reed, though it could’ve benefited from much more editing, mostly to tighten the writing. Also, speaking from the perspective of someone who has read a lot of historical fiction (it IS my favorite genre after all), I found the historical aspect to be less atmospheric and immersive than I would’ve expected, perhaps because of the lack of emotional depth as mentioned earlier. Speaking of which, when compared to other novels that also cover the topic of the Korean War – such as Lisa See’s The Island of Sea Women and, more recently, Eve J. Chung’s The Young Will Remember , both of which were emotionally poignant stories that continued to stay with me long after I finished reading them – this one unfortunately falls a bit flat. That said, I’m glad I read it and would still recommend it for the historical insight it provides.
Received ARC from 37 Ink via NetGalley.
This is an interesting story about a historical time period that doesn’t often get written about – the Korean War and the subsequent division of the country into North and South Korea. Told from two alternating points of view, the story revolves around a family torn apart by war and the resilience that brings them together.
Oksoon is a teenage girl living in Pyeongyang who sets off with her mother and second brother Changho to look for her father and older brother in the south, where they had gone to look for opportunities but never returned. On their journey, they encounter numerous hardships, but manage to find ways to survive amidst the devastation of war, especially when they finally reach the southern city of Seoul where they meet others who are also trying to do the best they can given the circumstances. Together, they form a “found family” of sorts, combining efforts as well as resources to make their situation more tenable.
Further south, in the mountainous region of Jinju, Oksoon’s cousin Junho finds refuge at an orphanage where he uses his limited understanding of English to write letters to American benefactors in the hopes of helping the orphanage secure funds to keep its doors open. When the orphanage director brings her niece Miss Kim to live with them, the mysterious circumstances of her situation alter Junho’s perspective in ways that threaten to upend the safety of the refuge that he worked so hard to attain.
Overall, I have mixed feelings toward this book. On the one hand, I appreciate the author, Bora Lee Reed’s efforts to shed light on a period of history that is often forgotten about, outside of Asia especially. Significantly, Reed draws on her own family history as inspiration for the story, which lends an authenticity and familiarity to the work that sets it apart from other historical fiction novels. With that said however, I felt that the story lacked emotional depth, which was of course surprising given the author’s personal connection to the subject matter. To me, the writing felt emotionally distant to the point that I found it difficult to become invested in the characters enough to care about things that happen. There was also a lot of “telling” of what the various characters do as well as some descriptions of surroundings that seemed irrelevant to what was going on at the time. While it wasn’t overwhelming to the point of bogging down the entire story, it did slow things down a little.
As a debut novel, I would say that this was a good first effort from Reed, though it could’ve benefited from much more editing, mostly to tighten the writing. Also, speaking from the perspective of someone who has read a lot of historical fiction (it IS my favorite genre after all), I found the historical aspect to be less atmospheric and immersive than I would’ve expected, perhaps because of the lack of emotional depth as mentioned earlier. Speaking of which, when compared to other novels that also cover the topic of the Korean War – such as Lisa See’s The Island of Sea Women and, more recently, Eve J. Chung’s The Young Will Remember , both of which were emotionally poignant stories that continued to stay with me long after I finished reading them – this one unfortunately falls a bit flat. That said, I’m glad I read it and would still recommend it for the historical insight it provides.
Received ARC from 37 Ink via NetGalley.
September 19, 2026
3.5 stars This is a solid and well-written debut covering the separation of a family during The Korean War. It read more like a diary rather than making me have the emotional connection I desperately wanted with these characters. Perhaps the publisher shouldn't make grand comparisons to some of the greatest books of all-time such as Pachinko. It makes expectations too high.
May 15, 2026
I really was excited about this one. I did want an emotional tale of a family during the Korean War and the ramifications of it. This was very dull and gives no emotional depth. I was not invested in the characters or story and trudged through. Sad!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy.
July 22, 2026
The town of Pyongyang has been abandoned by its residents when the USA exits the war between North and South Korea, China’s involvement is enough to convince Oksoon, her mother and brother to leave their home for the southern city of Seoul, even tho’ her father and older brother are expected back to join them. They had gone to Seoul to scout out a business opportunity. It’s a ten day walk to Seoul that will be miserable in the freezing weather and lack of food or shelter.
Cousin Junho is in S. Korea. He found a place in an orphanage where he’s making use of his ability to read and write English, elementary tho’ it is. Junho is tasked with writing letters to sympathetic Americans, asking for financial assistance. The orphanage is run by an iron fisted woman director. Food is desperately scarce; everyone’s hungry. When the director’s niece join the staff, Junho becomes enamored but there are secrets surrounding her that he cannot crack.
These are the dual plot lines, followed in alternating chapters, that readers will follow. It took me a while to care about the characters. Reed doesn’t take enough time to develop the characters early in the plots. Much of the first quarter reads like a difficult translation, even tho’ it wasn’t one. SONG FOR ANOTHER HOME is Bora Lee Reed’s debut novel.
Each of the four seasons are used to organize the stories, beginning with winter. All the activities take place in a one year span from 1950-1951. It’s the last 25%, Autumn, when the stories join together. It’s been a very difficult journey for Oksoon and her family to arrive in Seoul and then escape from the city. Physical and emotional trauma are rampant. A few marginally sweet moments occur but the story is dark and would have benefited from a touch of humor for relief, IMHO.
When the story ends, the war is not over. There are 3 years, or so, left to go. I’m not sure that the final two chapters will be a satisfying ending for readers…I found it a bit convenient and too brief.
What I did enjoy was clean language and carefully crafted scenes when violence occurred. Themes are challenging: coming of age, family - lost, natural and found, life during war, resilience, physical and emotional trauma; all under the umbrella of civil war.
Recommended for readers of Korean history, war stories, family stories, historical fiction and character driven stories📚
I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.
Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC with thanks to the publisher and author.
Cousin Junho is in S. Korea. He found a place in an orphanage where he’s making use of his ability to read and write English, elementary tho’ it is. Junho is tasked with writing letters to sympathetic Americans, asking for financial assistance. The orphanage is run by an iron fisted woman director. Food is desperately scarce; everyone’s hungry. When the director’s niece join the staff, Junho becomes enamored but there are secrets surrounding her that he cannot crack.
These are the dual plot lines, followed in alternating chapters, that readers will follow. It took me a while to care about the characters. Reed doesn’t take enough time to develop the characters early in the plots. Much of the first quarter reads like a difficult translation, even tho’ it wasn’t one. SONG FOR ANOTHER HOME is Bora Lee Reed’s debut novel.
Each of the four seasons are used to organize the stories, beginning with winter. All the activities take place in a one year span from 1950-1951. It’s the last 25%, Autumn, when the stories join together. It’s been a very difficult journey for Oksoon and her family to arrive in Seoul and then escape from the city. Physical and emotional trauma are rampant. A few marginally sweet moments occur but the story is dark and would have benefited from a touch of humor for relief, IMHO.
When the story ends, the war is not over. There are 3 years, or so, left to go. I’m not sure that the final two chapters will be a satisfying ending for readers…I found it a bit convenient and too brief.
What I did enjoy was clean language and carefully crafted scenes when violence occurred. Themes are challenging: coming of age, family - lost, natural and found, life during war, resilience, physical and emotional trauma; all under the umbrella of civil war.
Recommended for readers of Korean history, war stories, family stories, historical fiction and character driven stories📚
I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.
Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC with thanks to the publisher and author.
July 21, 2026
Song for Another Home is a symphony of love, loss, family, and courage from unexpected places. The characters come together to remind us of our shared humanity, especially during times of trauma and war.
I love a good character arc and the earnest but also fallible teenagers we journey with remind me of my own journeys in discovering the dangers of the world and deciding who I am becoming. So much to savor from this novel, especially unexpected heroes from everyday people. Beautifully and poignantly written.
It's also clear that Bora Lee Reed did thorough research on the Korean War and its aftermath. It's woven through the story seamlessly without weighing down the narrative so we can focus on the stories and lives of the characters. Such a great historical novel, reminding me of Pachinko by Min Jin Lee and Nickel Back by Colson Whitehead.
I love a good character arc and the earnest but also fallible teenagers we journey with remind me of my own journeys in discovering the dangers of the world and deciding who I am becoming. So much to savor from this novel, especially unexpected heroes from everyday people. Beautifully and poignantly written.
It's also clear that Bora Lee Reed did thorough research on the Korean War and its aftermath. It's woven through the story seamlessly without weighing down the narrative so we can focus on the stories and lives of the characters. Such a great historical novel, reminding me of Pachinko by Min Jin Lee and Nickel Back by Colson Whitehead.
September 9, 2026
An exquisitely crafted narrative that tugs at the heartstrings, “Song for Another Home” offers a profound exploration of war, family, and sacrifice. It shines a light on the personal toll of the Korean War while stepping beyond the battlefield to embrace the quieter, often overlooked moments of life. The author beautifully illustrates the significance of everyday existence and the value of peace. This tale is filled with unexpected twists that keep you engaged, and you can't help but cheer on each character as their journeys unfold. A truly remarkable story that resonates deeply.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster and the author Bora Lee Reed for the advanced reader copy of Song For Another Home.
I was intrigued by this book based on its description that it was Pachinko meets Homegoing with a story of separation and reunion along with love and war.
This book is set in the time shortly after the Americans have come in to respond to the invasion of the Korean People’s Army to the South. We meet Oksoon, a teenage girl and one of our narrators, who we learn lives in Pyongyang, is waiting on her father and eldest brother to return home from Seoul and believes that the war between North and South Korea is coming to an end. However, we soon learn that the war is not ending soon and that the Americans have abandoned Pyongyang and are moving South forcing residents like Oksoon and her mother and her other brother, Chango, to decide whether they will flee Pyongyang or stay until her father and eldest brother return. Her mother quickly decides to flee with Oksoon and Chango, and the three venture south in search of Oksoon’s father and eldest brother. The book focuses on their journey to Seoul as well as what they do to survive once arriving while holding out hope that they will soon be reunited with Oksoon’s father and eldest brother.
Alternately, we meet Oksoon’s cousin, Junho, who had left Pyongyang months before Oksoon and her family to avoid being conscripted for war. He seeks sanctuary high in the mountains of Jinju at an orphanage where he works to send letters to Americans, hoping that they will assist the orphanage in caring for the children there in the midst of the war. In this orphanage, Junho gains a found family after having to leave his mother in Pyongyang. We see how this found family influences him and gives him hope, not only for them, but also for himself.
The book floats back and forth between Junho and Oksoon and her family. Both characters reminisce about times past where they played together and experienced happiness that they had no idea would come to an end due to war. We see both Junho and Oksoon dream of a future that unfortunately, neither is truly able to see, at least not in the borders of this book.
However, about ¾ of the way through the book, an incident occurs that forces Junho and Oksoon and her family back together, Oksoon and her family flee Seoul and arrive in Jinju at the orphanage that Junhoinhabits. Oksoon soon learns of Junho’s dream and starts crafting a new dream of her own.
Ultimately, Junho sacrifices his dream and in so doing, Oksoon ends up having to sacrifice hers, but Junho does it to save Oksoon because there had been others he couldn’t save in the book and he believes that allowing Oksoon to live his dream will save her.
This book is one centered on survival, resilience, and hope. It is not lighthearted fare, but a deeply poignant novel that will stay with its reader in times to come. I found it eerily relevant given the wars and conflicts that are currently taking place in our world. There are probably Oksoons and Junhos and their respective families and found families there too. I pray that they maintain the hope that the characters in this novel had for a better tomorrow.
I was intrigued by this book based on its description that it was Pachinko meets Homegoing with a story of separation and reunion along with love and war.
This book is set in the time shortly after the Americans have come in to respond to the invasion of the Korean People’s Army to the South. We meet Oksoon, a teenage girl and one of our narrators, who we learn lives in Pyongyang, is waiting on her father and eldest brother to return home from Seoul and believes that the war between North and South Korea is coming to an end. However, we soon learn that the war is not ending soon and that the Americans have abandoned Pyongyang and are moving South forcing residents like Oksoon and her mother and her other brother, Chango, to decide whether they will flee Pyongyang or stay until her father and eldest brother return. Her mother quickly decides to flee with Oksoon and Chango, and the three venture south in search of Oksoon’s father and eldest brother. The book focuses on their journey to Seoul as well as what they do to survive once arriving while holding out hope that they will soon be reunited with Oksoon’s father and eldest brother.
Alternately, we meet Oksoon’s cousin, Junho, who had left Pyongyang months before Oksoon and her family to avoid being conscripted for war. He seeks sanctuary high in the mountains of Jinju at an orphanage where he works to send letters to Americans, hoping that they will assist the orphanage in caring for the children there in the midst of the war. In this orphanage, Junho gains a found family after having to leave his mother in Pyongyang. We see how this found family influences him and gives him hope, not only for them, but also for himself.
The book floats back and forth between Junho and Oksoon and her family. Both characters reminisce about times past where they played together and experienced happiness that they had no idea would come to an end due to war. We see both Junho and Oksoon dream of a future that unfortunately, neither is truly able to see, at least not in the borders of this book.
However, about ¾ of the way through the book, an incident occurs that forces Junho and Oksoon and her family back together, Oksoon and her family flee Seoul and arrive in Jinju at the orphanage that Junhoinhabits. Oksoon soon learns of Junho’s dream and starts crafting a new dream of her own.
Ultimately, Junho sacrifices his dream and in so doing, Oksoon ends up having to sacrifice hers, but Junho does it to save Oksoon because there had been others he couldn’t save in the book and he believes that allowing Oksoon to live his dream will save her.
This book is one centered on survival, resilience, and hope. It is not lighthearted fare, but a deeply poignant novel that will stay with its reader in times to come. I found it eerily relevant given the wars and conflicts that are currently taking place in our world. There are probably Oksoons and Junhos and their respective families and found families there too. I pray that they maintain the hope that the characters in this novel had for a better tomorrow.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This novel is set during war time about the fate of Korea. The northerners are at uneasy peace but feel safe because the UN and Americans have control but China has entered the stage. Oksoon is home with her older brother and mother while her father and other brother are conducting business in the south. Soon, the three have to flee and the hardships are immense. And, when they start to find their footing in Seoul, the idiocy of her brother causes them to flee where they find a missing cousin. This is about family struggle as well as reinvention through hardship, even with suffering. But, these are characters not soon forgotten.
I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.
I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.
June 18, 2026
3.5 Stars
Thank you to 37 Ink/ Simon & Schuster for providing me with a gifted physical copy of Song for Another Home. All opinions are my own.
Song for Another Home delivers a great historical fiction look at the Korean War through the eyes of Oksoon and Junho. It was heartbreaking to see the effects of the war on family’s being forced to leave their homes, losing loved ones, and the children in the orphanage suffering from hunger and being abandoned.
While I thought the historical content and cultural references were done really well, I wish I would have had deeper insight, more connection, and emotional attachment towards the characters. That aspect did fall flat for me, even though I did enjoy the overall story.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
* Korean War
* Dual POVs
* Displaced Families
* Struggling Orphanage
* Family Duty
* Found Family
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥: 🚫
I would recommend Song for Another Home if you enjoy historical fiction, where the characters persevere through difficult, dangerous, and life changing circumstances.
Thank you to 37 Ink/ Simon & Schuster for providing me with a gifted physical copy of Song for Another Home. All opinions are my own.
Song for Another Home delivers a great historical fiction look at the Korean War through the eyes of Oksoon and Junho. It was heartbreaking to see the effects of the war on family’s being forced to leave their homes, losing loved ones, and the children in the orphanage suffering from hunger and being abandoned.
While I thought the historical content and cultural references were done really well, I wish I would have had deeper insight, more connection, and emotional attachment towards the characters. That aspect did fall flat for me, even though I did enjoy the overall story.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
* Korean War
* Dual POVs
* Displaced Families
* Struggling Orphanage
* Family Duty
* Found Family
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥: 🚫
I would recommend Song for Another Home if you enjoy historical fiction, where the characters persevere through difficult, dangerous, and life changing circumstances.
September 28, 2026
Grateful to Profile Books and The Reading Agency for a hardback copy in return for an honest review.
This is a delightful, heartfelt story set against the backdrop of the 1950s Korean War and describes the separation of the population. Bora Lee Reid illustrates the impact of communism in the north, and the relentless struggle for territory by competing forces, heedless of the destruction caused along the way. She introduces the character of Oksoon and her family in the first instance, parted from her father and eldest brother ostensibly under the pretext of pursuing potential business opportunities in the south. “Entire households are packing up, terrified that Pyongyang might be caught in the crossfire between China and America, two monsters clashing”. The secondary status and deference of women feature: education is restricted, “girls can’t go out alone”, and “girls wait to eat”. Survival is precarious.
Juxtaposed with Oksoon is her male cousin, Junho, who, in order to avoid conscription, has run southward and sought sanctuary in an orphanage where times are tough. The incumbents are “malnourished” and “perpetually hungry”. Although hardship prevails, Junho’s innate optimism, romantic outlook and dreams for the future never desert him. On behalf of the director, he uses his English language skills to embark on a letter writing campaign to US citizens, in particular the aptly named widow, Mrs Hope Longfield. Embellishing the individual fates of the children, Junho endeavours to secure much needed funding by winning the sympathy vote of Hope, a Christian, who longed for, but has been denied motherhood.
The reader cannot help but be affected emotionally by the denouement of the tale and its plethora of fascinating, realistic personalities, so cleverly developed whether meant to be intrinsically good people or bad by nature or even somewhere in-between. A hazardous river crossing is incorporated, a less then desirable soup kitchen, a shady gambler and a prostitute. Who, moreover, can easily forget the inimitable Miss Kim, niece of the orphanage director, so pretty, proud and of wealthy noble stock, both belittled and shunned by circumstance, yet beloved by Junho.
The ethos of the Missions is threaded throughout the story, and the director refers to Corinthians when she exclaims fittingly “for our momentary light affliction worketh for us an exceeding weight of glory”. Her goal is to save the orphanage, but she is understandably sceptical of outside sincerity and influence. “Having eyes, they do not see. Having ears, they do not hear”.
Tragedy co-exists alongside love and friendship. There is self-sacrifice and much emphasis on Korean ‘jeong’, a concept which underscores profound emotional bonds and loyalty across the generations. What will ultimately happen to Oksoon and Junho? Pick up this book to find out. It is a decision that I promise you will not regret.
This is a delightful, heartfelt story set against the backdrop of the 1950s Korean War and describes the separation of the population. Bora Lee Reid illustrates the impact of communism in the north, and the relentless struggle for territory by competing forces, heedless of the destruction caused along the way. She introduces the character of Oksoon and her family in the first instance, parted from her father and eldest brother ostensibly under the pretext of pursuing potential business opportunities in the south. “Entire households are packing up, terrified that Pyongyang might be caught in the crossfire between China and America, two monsters clashing”. The secondary status and deference of women feature: education is restricted, “girls can’t go out alone”, and “girls wait to eat”. Survival is precarious.
Juxtaposed with Oksoon is her male cousin, Junho, who, in order to avoid conscription, has run southward and sought sanctuary in an orphanage where times are tough. The incumbents are “malnourished” and “perpetually hungry”. Although hardship prevails, Junho’s innate optimism, romantic outlook and dreams for the future never desert him. On behalf of the director, he uses his English language skills to embark on a letter writing campaign to US citizens, in particular the aptly named widow, Mrs Hope Longfield. Embellishing the individual fates of the children, Junho endeavours to secure much needed funding by winning the sympathy vote of Hope, a Christian, who longed for, but has been denied motherhood.
The reader cannot help but be affected emotionally by the denouement of the tale and its plethora of fascinating, realistic personalities, so cleverly developed whether meant to be intrinsically good people or bad by nature or even somewhere in-between. A hazardous river crossing is incorporated, a less then desirable soup kitchen, a shady gambler and a prostitute. Who, moreover, can easily forget the inimitable Miss Kim, niece of the orphanage director, so pretty, proud and of wealthy noble stock, both belittled and shunned by circumstance, yet beloved by Junho.
The ethos of the Missions is threaded throughout the story, and the director refers to Corinthians when she exclaims fittingly “for our momentary light affliction worketh for us an exceeding weight of glory”. Her goal is to save the orphanage, but she is understandably sceptical of outside sincerity and influence. “Having eyes, they do not see. Having ears, they do not hear”.
Tragedy co-exists alongside love and friendship. There is self-sacrifice and much emphasis on Korean ‘jeong’, a concept which underscores profound emotional bonds and loyalty across the generations. What will ultimately happen to Oksoon and Junho? Pick up this book to find out. It is a decision that I promise you will not regret.
July 3, 2026
This is a dual POV story set during the Korean War. We read of the experiences of Oksoon & her cousin, Junho. Oksoon’s father & older brother have left their home in North Korea heading for Seoul for new opportunities. Oksoon, her mother & other brother are to follow once they are established; however, the war has hit their hometown and they are forced to leave sooner. They live hand to mouth for many months until they finally make it to Seoul and are fortunate to hook up with a few people until a situation forces them to flee (and still not finding her father & older brother).
Then, we experience Junho’s life in an orphanage where he is tasked with writing letters to America pleading for support to keep the kids in the orphanage fed. His efforts are somewhat in vain, as the food supply is running low. The director is forced to strike a deal, which involves her niece, in order to keep the orphanage running. It was a time period in history that I haven’t read much about and was glad to have been given the opportunity to read about it.
Thank you to NetGalley & Simon & Schuster for the invitation to read an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
Then, we experience Junho’s life in an orphanage where he is tasked with writing letters to America pleading for support to keep the kids in the orphanage fed. His efforts are somewhat in vain, as the food supply is running low. The director is forced to strike a deal, which involves her niece, in order to keep the orphanage running. It was a time period in history that I haven’t read much about and was glad to have been given the opportunity to read about it.
Thank you to NetGalley & Simon & Schuster for the invitation to read an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
September 1, 2026
A heartbreaking historical fiction set during the Korean War. Following Oksoon and her family as they flee their home, along with her cousin Junho’s story at an orphanage, the novel explores survival, family, friendship, loss, and the meaning of home.
I really enjoyed how Reed brought this often-overlooked part of history to life through such personal and emotional stories. There was so much hardship, but also courage, hope, and unexpected connections.
I really enjoyed how Reed brought this often-overlooked part of history to life through such personal and emotional stories. There was so much hardship, but also courage, hope, and unexpected connections.
July 21, 2026
It’s rare that I get sucked into historical fiction (not for any particular reason, it’s just not usually my favorite genre), but I had trouble putting this book down. The pacing is excellent, the characters are distinct and memorable, the world feels richly realized without being overdescribed, and the story is compelling, evoking a wide range of emotions. An incredible debut from Bora Lee Reed! Looking forward to whatever she writes next :)
May 29, 2026
Song for Another Home by Bora Lee Reed is a historical fiction novel set during the Korean War that follows two parallel storylines centered on displacement, survival, and separation. The novel alternates between Oksoon, a teenage girl fleeing Pyongyang with her family as war spreads across Korea, and her cousin Junho, who survives in an overcrowded orphanage facing hunger, instability, and eventual collapse. Structured around the seasons, the story traces how war reshapes daily life as families are scattered and forced to rebuild in unfamiliar places.
Rather than focusing on battlefield action, the novel emphasizes survival systems that emerge during crisis: refugee migration, barter economies, orphanage labor, gambling, and informal food networks. Both storylines highlight how people adapt to unstable conditions, often by forming new bonds and redefining what “family” means in order to endure.
I found the strongest aspect of the novel to be its focus on how war reshapes morality and creates formed or chosen families. Oksoon’s family gradually builds stability in Seoul through work at a noodle house, forming unexpected relationships with figures like a boatman, a businessman, and others who become part of their survival network. Over time, the idea of family expands beyond blood ties as survival requires cooperation with people once seen as outsiders.
Junho’s orphanage storyline reinforces this theme in a different way. His attachment to the director’s niece and his role within the orphanage show how emotional bonds form quickly under unstable conditions, even as those structures begin to break down. His narration also becomes increasingly subjective, reflecting emotional dependence and instability within the orphanage itself.
The novel is ultimately about adaptation under pressure—how people slowly shift from searching for lost family members to surviving with the people who remain. This shift from biological family to formed family becomes one of the central emotional threads of the book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing an advance copy.
Rather than focusing on battlefield action, the novel emphasizes survival systems that emerge during crisis: refugee migration, barter economies, orphanage labor, gambling, and informal food networks. Both storylines highlight how people adapt to unstable conditions, often by forming new bonds and redefining what “family” means in order to endure.
I found the strongest aspect of the novel to be its focus on how war reshapes morality and creates formed or chosen families. Oksoon’s family gradually builds stability in Seoul through work at a noodle house, forming unexpected relationships with figures like a boatman, a businessman, and others who become part of their survival network. Over time, the idea of family expands beyond blood ties as survival requires cooperation with people once seen as outsiders.
Junho’s orphanage storyline reinforces this theme in a different way. His attachment to the director’s niece and his role within the orphanage show how emotional bonds form quickly under unstable conditions, even as those structures begin to break down. His narration also becomes increasingly subjective, reflecting emotional dependence and instability within the orphanage itself.
The novel is ultimately about adaptation under pressure—how people slowly shift from searching for lost family members to surviving with the people who remain. This shift from biological family to formed family becomes one of the central emotional threads of the book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing an advance copy.
July 21, 2026
This book is a debut by the author and is set during the time of the Korean War. It is a period of history that I haven’t read as much about.
It is a dual POV story from the viewpoints of Junho and Oksoon, who are cousins. Each of them have different and yet similar experiences.
Junho ends up in an orphanage writing letters to potential benefactors in the US, trying to gain financial support for the plight of his people. He dearly hopes to be able to go to America. Oksoon is also just barely getting by as well and encounters many difficult situations with her mother and brother.
It was an interesting story with themes of found family, and of the terrible effects war has on a country. It’s hard to imagine living through hunger, insecurity, fearing for your life and the anxiety of separation from family. As well as an abundance of loss and grief that many people experience.
I enjoyed how the story followed the seasons and learning more about how the war impacted families who were trying their best to survive.
At times, the pace of the book felt slow for me, and I didn’t connect with the characters as much as I had hoped. But overall, I think it’s a valuable story that gives a lot of food for thought.
[Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the gifted arc in exchange for my honest opinion.]
It is a dual POV story from the viewpoints of Junho and Oksoon, who are cousins. Each of them have different and yet similar experiences.
Junho ends up in an orphanage writing letters to potential benefactors in the US, trying to gain financial support for the plight of his people. He dearly hopes to be able to go to America. Oksoon is also just barely getting by as well and encounters many difficult situations with her mother and brother.
It was an interesting story with themes of found family, and of the terrible effects war has on a country. It’s hard to imagine living through hunger, insecurity, fearing for your life and the anxiety of separation from family. As well as an abundance of loss and grief that many people experience.
I enjoyed how the story followed the seasons and learning more about how the war impacted families who were trying their best to survive.
At times, the pace of the book felt slow for me, and I didn’t connect with the characters as much as I had hoped. But overall, I think it’s a valuable story that gives a lot of food for thought.
[Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the gifted arc in exchange for my honest opinion.]
July 27, 2026
1950s - this is about the war between North and South Korea, and the intervention of America and China.
Alternating between two perspectives, the story revolves around characters torn and separated by war, in a journey laden with search, harshness and struggles. However this book isn't solely about drama, amidst war, the preciousness is shown through details of mundane, rather than grandiosity.
It can be heartbreaking and there's certain yearn that emanates from the broken and real characters, whose tenderness is amplified by a concise prose. While the narrative is very human and offers a piece of the history, I think the lack of ramifications and therefore nuance makes this a plain and quite lackluster read for those who are more familiar with Korean historical fiction. Compared to a favorite Korean HF (IYKYK), this book invites more commercial and debut-y vibes.
Based on the author's family history, readers who are fairly new to a historical fiction about Korea will benefit from reading SONG FOR ANOTHER HOME. I thought it is a quiet tale of resilience.
[ I received an ARC from the publisher - Simon Books / 37 Ink . All opinions are my own ]
Alternating between two perspectives, the story revolves around characters torn and separated by war, in a journey laden with search, harshness and struggles. However this book isn't solely about drama, amidst war, the preciousness is shown through details of mundane, rather than grandiosity.
It can be heartbreaking and there's certain yearn that emanates from the broken and real characters, whose tenderness is amplified by a concise prose. While the narrative is very human and offers a piece of the history, I think the lack of ramifications and therefore nuance makes this a plain and quite lackluster read for those who are more familiar with Korean historical fiction. Compared to a favorite Korean HF (IYKYK), this book invites more commercial and debut-y vibes.
Based on the author's family history, readers who are fairly new to a historical fiction about Korea will benefit from reading SONG FOR ANOTHER HOME. I thought it is a quiet tale of resilience.
[ I received an ARC from the publisher - Simon Books / 37 Ink . All opinions are my own ]
July 21, 2026
It has an alternating point of view which I don’t always love, but here it was so compelling. Total page turner, weirdly, to me, not so much the plot but wanting to see how the characters grow and change and respond to all that is happening around them. So much to think about and feel about.
June 6, 2026
Song for Another Home is set during the Korean War, and the storyline focuses on one family as they try to find their separated family members and navigate war-torn Korea.
I thought the uncertainty that each person had was so realistic- how do you ever know that you’re making the right, best choice for your loved ones? Especially in a time of war, how do you know whether what you’re choosing is saving of condemning them?
The story also touches on the issue of orphans and how the youngest children are impacted by the violence and famine that comes along with war. These issues played out in Korea, and they’re playing out in many parts of the world today.
I appreciated that the characters in this book were written to be imperfect people who are trying their best with what they have. The story is told from two perspectives, one from a teenage boy living in an orphanage, and one from a younger teenage girl traveling the country with her family looking for family and safety. I was immersed in the story within the first few pages and really couldn’t put this one down!
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I thought the uncertainty that each person had was so realistic- how do you ever know that you’re making the right, best choice for your loved ones? Especially in a time of war, how do you know whether what you’re choosing is saving of condemning them?
The story also touches on the issue of orphans and how the youngest children are impacted by the violence and famine that comes along with war. These issues played out in Korea, and they’re playing out in many parts of the world today.
I appreciated that the characters in this book were written to be imperfect people who are trying their best with what they have. The story is told from two perspectives, one from a teenage boy living in an orphanage, and one from a younger teenage girl traveling the country with her family looking for family and safety. I was immersed in the story within the first few pages and really couldn’t put this one down!
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 1, 2026
With lyrical prose, vivid descriptions, and heart-wrenching drama, the scope of this story is impressive. I gravitated towards this historical setting, 1950s war-torn Korea.
The ｃｈａｒａｃｔｅｒ I connected to the most was.. the setting. The descriptive details and the harsh realities that the characters must face had me hooked. I do wish I had felt more emotionally connected to these characters. I never felt like I knew them in depth, simply following them around to see what happened next. I believe some more character development before the events might have been what I was looking for.
Masterfully done dual timeline, every other chapter switches between the cousin’s stories.
If you like stories with..
📖 war-time survival, forced migration
📖 family separation, a quest for reunion
📖 found family
📖 forbidden love
📖 duty vs personal ambition
..then reach for this one.
A wonderful debut for those interested in Korean History from a fictional character’s perspective.
A story of hardship, family, and perseverance.
Released: July 2026
The ｃｈａｒａｃｔｅｒ I connected to the most was.. the setting. The descriptive details and the harsh realities that the characters must face had me hooked. I do wish I had felt more emotionally connected to these characters. I never felt like I knew them in depth, simply following them around to see what happened next. I believe some more character development before the events might have been what I was looking for.
Masterfully done dual timeline, every other chapter switches between the cousin’s stories.
If you like stories with..
📖 war-time survival, forced migration
📖 family separation, a quest for reunion
📖 found family
📖 forbidden love
📖 duty vs personal ambition
..then reach for this one.
A wonderful debut for those interested in Korean History from a fictional character’s perspective.
A story of hardship, family, and perseverance.
Released: July 2026
August 5, 2026
4.5 - A heartwrenching story about a family divided dealing with the immediate fallout of the Korean War, and the struggle in the aftermath of fleeing their home in Pyongyang for the illusion of safety in the South. Some especially tormenting passages from characters hopeful for a time where there isn’t a divide, knowing that current hopes for reunification are incredibly slim.
September 4, 2026
Heartbreaking but beautiful story. My father was a pilot during the Korean War so I have always felt a certain amount of guilt and extra compassion for those who suffered. This book did not alleviate my sorrow, but feel it was a worthy endeavor. I would recommend reading instead of listening, the names were confusing. I think different voices (a whole cast) would have helped.
September 20, 2026
There are not too many stories about families and the Korean War. At least not that I have read this one was very interesting and I found myself looking for all the twists and turns and it had many. Overall I would recommend it if you like historical fiction
My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2026
I had way too much on my mind this week so I’m sure that affected my feeling on this book. Two storylines featuring cousins, set in the 1950s Korea.
October 7, 2026
The fact that Pyongyang was known as the ‘Jerusalem of the East’ within my Grandparents lifetime is wild.
August 14, 2026
Totally absorbed in this story. As soon as I finished it, I immediately started to read it again. I found myself intrigued and captivated by the characters and their journeys. But though the stories lines were so unique and specific, they were so emotionally resonant for me. I don’t often cry while reading but this one moved me to tears. A fascinating immersion to a time period and place that was new for me.
August 2, 2026
This is a richly told story with very nuanced and well-drawn characters. I thought the female characters were particularly strong and subtly portrayed. The author clearly researched this time period meticulously and tells an important story about what happened to people during the Korean War as the country is being divided and torn apart by larger powers.
There were moments that made me catch my breath, and others where I stopped reading to savor a particularly vivid description. I was always anxious to find out what would happen to these characters I had grown attached to. Bora Lee Reed has written an impressive debut novel and I am excited to see what will follow.
There were moments that made me catch my breath, and others where I stopped reading to savor a particularly vivid description. I was always anxious to find out what would happen to these characters I had grown attached to. Bora Lee Reed has written an impressive debut novel and I am excited to see what will follow.
July 18, 2026
I absolutely loved this historical fiction work centering on a. Korean family’s escape from Pyongyang at the beginning of the Korean War, about which frankly, I knew little. A mother, 15-year old daughter Oksoon, and 16-year old son Changho flee toward Seoul in 1950 as word spreads that the Chinese will be entering the fighting. The father and eldest brother. Byungho have already gone to Seoul, her father thinking about new business opportunities there now that (he believes) the war is “all but over.”
The three have little food, money, and have to find shelter among many other Koreans fleeing south to survive. Their intent is to reunite with the father and brother of the family in Seoul; many others fleeing are seeking lost family members as well.
The portrayals of difficult life on the road south are excellent, including the detailed hardship of finding food, shelter, and most of all, income. They eventually land at the rundown Soup House in Seoul, run by the very Boatman who assisted them in crossing the river from Pyongyang. The mother gets a job cooking and obtains shelter for them. Oksoon searches for her father and brother, while Changho gambles for money.
The second main storyline concerns cousin Junho, originally from Pyongyang, who has found a home at an. orphanage called The Lord’s Home for Beloved Children, where he uses his limited proficiency in English in writing letters to America seeking financial support for the impoverished organization.
This was one of the very best historical fiction books I have ever read, though the author’s first book. Characterizations are so good and often poignant, the plot is inventive and engrossing, and best of all, the book presented a panorama of a life and time few Americans know in detail. Highly recommended.
The three have little food, money, and have to find shelter among many other Koreans fleeing south to survive. Their intent is to reunite with the father and brother of the family in Seoul; many others fleeing are seeking lost family members as well.
The portrayals of difficult life on the road south are excellent, including the detailed hardship of finding food, shelter, and most of all, income. They eventually land at the rundown Soup House in Seoul, run by the very Boatman who assisted them in crossing the river from Pyongyang. The mother gets a job cooking and obtains shelter for them. Oksoon searches for her father and brother, while Changho gambles for money.
The second main storyline concerns cousin Junho, originally from Pyongyang, who has found a home at an. orphanage called The Lord’s Home for Beloved Children, where he uses his limited proficiency in English in writing letters to America seeking financial support for the impoverished organization.
This was one of the very best historical fiction books I have ever read, though the author’s first book. Characterizations are so good and often poignant, the plot is inventive and engrossing, and best of all, the book presented a panorama of a life and time few Americans know in detail. Highly recommended.
July 21, 2026
From the moment I began following fifteen-year-old Oksoon and her family as they flee Pyongyang, I couldn't put this book down. It opened my eyes to how the Korean War unfolded for everyday people and communities on the ground. Reed's writing conveys the uncertainty and terror of leaving home, and the urgent hope that around every corner, families would be reunited and normalcy restored. That hope propels every character forward, including Oksoon's older cousin, Junho, whom the second braid of the narrative follows as he navigates identity and belonging in a rural orphanage while dreaming of securing passage to America. At one point, the story turns on a treacherous river crossing, and the courage and heartbreak of that scene will stay with me forever.
I loved this book for so many reasons. For its close, painstaking depiction of this massive rupture in world history. For its universal themes of love for family and longing for home. For the way it wrestles with the difficult choices we make in the grief of a life unexpectedly altered. This is that rare book that burrows into your heart and makes you see the world differently. Reed is an extraordinary writer, and this is an extraordinary work.
I loved this book for so many reasons. For its close, painstaking depiction of this massive rupture in world history. For its universal themes of love for family and longing for home. For the way it wrestles with the difficult choices we make in the grief of a life unexpectedly altered. This is that rare book that burrows into your heart and makes you see the world differently. Reed is an extraordinary writer, and this is an extraordinary work.
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