What do you think?
Rate this book
La longue saison des pluies
When the grey Korean Changma--the rainy season--arrives, eleven-year-old Junehee resigns herself to long months cooped up with her sisters, her mother, and her grandmother. But this year, the Changma brings more than water. Orphaned by a mudslide, a young boy comes to live in Junehee's house--and stirs up long-hidden secrets in her family.
For as the rain drums out its story on the sloped roofs of the village, Junehee's own family story unfolds. And Junehee soon realizes that her mother's sadness is tied to a long-standing tradition that neglects women's dreams--a tradition that Junehee hopes to break free of. . . .
For as the rain drums out its story on the sloped roofs of the village, Junehee's own family story unfolds. And Junehee soon realizes that her mother's sadness is tied to a long-standing tradition that neglects women's dreams--a tradition that Junehee hopes to break free of. . . .
289 pages, Paperback
First published January 11, 1996
1 person is currently reading
141 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 14, 2022
Un libro triste amaro e vero
La storia delle donne degli anni 60 e 70 costrette ad essere sottomesse al marito e alla sua famiglia e a non aver più voce in capitolo su niente, nemmeno sui tagli di capelli delle figlie...
Le figlie avranno la stessa sorte?
La storia delle donne degli anni 60 e 70 costrette ad essere sottomesse al marito e alla sua famiglia e a non aver più voce in capitolo su niente, nemmeno sui tagli di capelli delle figlie...
Le figlie avranno la stessa sorte?
January 30, 2022
This is the MOST DEPRESSING middle grade novel I’ve ever read. It just kept getting worse and worse!! I was hoping for a good intro to South Korean culture. Instead it was an immersion into a dysfunctional family system and not much else. I got 2/3 through and was so upset at the lack of anything positive or hopeful that I skimmed the rest. Even the ending was depressing. Don’t read this book.
April 5, 2022
Jos tyttöys ja naiseus ja niiden haasteet eri kulttuureissa kiinnostavat, tämä on kirja sinulle. Tarinaakin luin mielelläni, mutta sitä enemmän kiinnosti kulttuurinen konteksti ja siihen liittynyt mystiikka.
Changma, pitkä sadekausi, on tänä vuonna nuoren Chung-hin elämässä erilainen. Äiti osoittaa kerrankin omaa tahtoa ja siitä säröilee perhesopu.
Salaperäisessä tarinassa ei sanota paljoakaan, mutta annetaan ymmärtää sitäkin enemmän. Chung-hi on ymmällään aikuisten asioista ja lukija saa kaivella selityksiä rivien välistä.
Kirjassa oli parastava arvoituksellisuus. Sekä lomamatka saarella, jonka aikana Korean sodasta, ja ehkä myös sopivan sukupuolisen perillisen puutteesta, traumatisoitunut isä katoaa.
Helen Kim itse oli yhteiskunnallisesti aktiivinen ja feministi. Asenne näkyi kirjassa, vaikka varovaisen ja tutkiskelevan oloisesti.
Changma, pitkä sadekausi, on tänä vuonna nuoren Chung-hin elämässä erilainen. Äiti osoittaa kerrankin omaa tahtoa ja siitä säröilee perhesopu.
Salaperäisessä tarinassa ei sanota paljoakaan, mutta annetaan ymmärtää sitäkin enemmän. Chung-hi on ymmällään aikuisten asioista ja lukija saa kaivella selityksiä rivien välistä.
Kirjassa oli parastava arvoituksellisuus. Sekä lomamatka saarella, jonka aikana Korean sodasta, ja ehkä myös sopivan sukupuolisen perillisen puutteesta, traumatisoitunut isä katoaa.
Helen Kim itse oli yhteiskunnallisesti aktiivinen ja feministi. Asenne näkyi kirjassa, vaikka varovaisen ja tutkiskelevan oloisesti.
August 23, 2010
Genre: Historical fiction; coming of age story.
Eleven-year-old Junehee, who tells the story through her viewpoint, is a member of a traditional 1960s Korean family, where her father’s mother lives with them. They are comfortable in their economic state, enough so that they can afford a helper. Junehee is the second oldest of four daughters, though her parents wanted to have a son as well for a long time. So when they begin to take care of an orphan boy, Pyungsoo, the dynamics of their family alter in a number of ways. Pyungsoo lost his family when the torrential rains caused his home to slide down a mountain.
Junehee’s mother is delighted to have a little boy in her house, and strives to make him feel welcome. Yet the oldest daughter, Changhee Uhnni, wants no part of Pyungsoo, and threatens her younger sisters against being nice to him. Junehee’s father is often absent. He works long hours, and then spends nearly every night away from the house. Still, the father wants the boy gone as soon as possible. Junehee befriends Pyungsoo when she can, though she is torn between wanting her mother to be happy and wanting to escape the warnings from Changhee Uhnni.
Over the summer, Junehee slowly begins to learn the truth about where her father goes at night, and she starts to understand that her mother is truly unhappy. Her mother has little to no voice in her own home, where her role is to take care of the children and the house, and remain in the background as much as possible. As time draws closer to find Pyungsoo an adoptive home, Junehee’s mother becomes more active in pursuing what she wants, and actively states that she wants to keep the boy. This drives a further wedge between members of the family, one that Junehee sorely wishes to repair.
Junehee matures and advances towards womanhood after this summer. Seeing how she deals with the problems she encounters and attempts to help mend her mother’s pain is inspiring. Kim provides her readers with an insight into a culture and way of life that feels like it could be a real account instead of a novel. Teens with siblings will especially grasp the difficulties often inherent in those relationships, even if the characters are in Seoul instead of America. The Long Season of Rain fulfills a number of needs of teen readers, including those interested in foreign places and those who wish to better understand how tradition plays a role in the family.
Eleven-year-old Junehee, who tells the story through her viewpoint, is a member of a traditional 1960s Korean family, where her father’s mother lives with them. They are comfortable in their economic state, enough so that they can afford a helper. Junehee is the second oldest of four daughters, though her parents wanted to have a son as well for a long time. So when they begin to take care of an orphan boy, Pyungsoo, the dynamics of their family alter in a number of ways. Pyungsoo lost his family when the torrential rains caused his home to slide down a mountain.
Junehee’s mother is delighted to have a little boy in her house, and strives to make him feel welcome. Yet the oldest daughter, Changhee Uhnni, wants no part of Pyungsoo, and threatens her younger sisters against being nice to him. Junehee’s father is often absent. He works long hours, and then spends nearly every night away from the house. Still, the father wants the boy gone as soon as possible. Junehee befriends Pyungsoo when she can, though she is torn between wanting her mother to be happy and wanting to escape the warnings from Changhee Uhnni.
Over the summer, Junehee slowly begins to learn the truth about where her father goes at night, and she starts to understand that her mother is truly unhappy. Her mother has little to no voice in her own home, where her role is to take care of the children and the house, and remain in the background as much as possible. As time draws closer to find Pyungsoo an adoptive home, Junehee’s mother becomes more active in pursuing what she wants, and actively states that she wants to keep the boy. This drives a further wedge between members of the family, one that Junehee sorely wishes to repair.
Junehee matures and advances towards womanhood after this summer. Seeing how she deals with the problems she encounters and attempts to help mend her mother’s pain is inspiring. Kim provides her readers with an insight into a culture and way of life that feels like it could be a real account instead of a novel. Teens with siblings will especially grasp the difficulties often inherent in those relationships, even if the characters are in Seoul instead of America. The Long Season of Rain fulfills a number of needs of teen readers, including those interested in foreign places and those who wish to better understand how tradition plays a role in the family.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2017
Great book, particularly for the believable young characters. The sisters speak to each other authentically, including being authentically mean to each other as well Pyungsoo. One of the hardest things to get right about young adult fiction is the writing of how kids actually talk to each other: at times truly mean, and when not actually mean, it is often flippant, targeted, or purposefully truthful in a way that is meant to wield power over siblings, rivals, and friends. I found myself riveted by the interactions between the children. Additionally, Kim writes women well, as well as the kinds of truthful conversations that children overhear, and the kinds of authentic conversations with adults that they appreciate having. It is a look at traditional Korean customs and values that does not judge from an American perspective.
November 30, 2011
This book gives a unique look into the lives of a Korean family, especially the relationships between adults and children in a patriarchal society.
June 24, 2016
Not too bad. Of the 5 National Book Award novels from 1996, this is one that is still a good read 20 years later.
February 28, 2008
Junehee Lee is the second of four daughters in a conservative Korean family. Her father is a military leader who frequently travels and even when home, is distant and critical. The story opens as the rainy season begins during the summer break from school. A village is swept away by the rain and a young boy, Pyungsoo, is orphaned. Pyungsoo comes to live with Junehee and her family. His presence initiates a series of conflicts, which nearly destroys the family. Many family secrets are exposed including the father’s unfaithfulness and excessive drinking.
The story is told from the viewpoint of an eleven-year-old. I recommend the story for those readers in 8th grade or above.
The descriptions of the Korean family, lifestyle and culture are very helpful in understanding this Asian culture.
The story is told from the viewpoint of an eleven-year-old. I recommend the story for those readers in 8th grade or above.
The descriptions of the Korean family, lifestyle and culture are very helpful in understanding this Asian culture.
January 29, 2016
This story takes place in Korea and centers on Junghee, an 11-year-old girl and her family, which includes three sisters, her mother, her father, a grandmother and, eventually, a boy who has become an orphan.
Pyungsoo, the orphan, loses his family in a weather-related catastrophe and moves in with Junghee and her family. There's a lot of interesting snippets of Korean culture in the novel, but mostly it's the story of a family that's sort of dysfunctional and how it tries to deal with everyday things.
The father and mother don't get along; Chagnhee, the oldest sister, is bossy and nasty to Junghee. The father doesn't want Pyungsoo in the family, but the mother sort of does. The grandmother finally solves the “problem” on her own.
It's an ok novel, but for some reason it just didn't “grab” my interest that much.
Pyungsoo, the orphan, loses his family in a weather-related catastrophe and moves in with Junghee and her family. There's a lot of interesting snippets of Korean culture in the novel, but mostly it's the story of a family that's sort of dysfunctional and how it tries to deal with everyday things.
The father and mother don't get along; Chagnhee, the oldest sister, is bossy and nasty to Junghee. The father doesn't want Pyungsoo in the family, but the mother sort of does. The grandmother finally solves the “problem” on her own.
It's an ok novel, but for some reason it just didn't “grab” my interest that much.
June 14, 2009
This book is about a traditional Korean family. The main character, Junhee, is the second daughter of the family .there are four daughters in the family. Every relatives were saying that the next will be a son. However, the father often comes come late and only the mother is taking care of the whole household. The mother has to do all the chores and listen to what the father and grandmother says. She is not allowed to talk back to them. In addition to that, her voice is not being heard in the family either. Later the mother left and the family seemed to be very empty. The father decided to ask the mother back.
I like this book because it shows the role of men and women in the family. I think that this is very similar to the traditional Chinese family because women is inferior to men.
I like this book because it shows the role of men and women in the family. I think that this is very similar to the traditional Chinese family because women is inferior to men.
July 20, 2010
Junehee matures and advances towards womanhood over the course of the summer the book chronicles. Seeing how she deals with the problems she encounters and attempts to help mend her mother’s pain is inspiring. Kim provides her readers with an insight into a culture and way of life that feels like it could be a real account instead of a novel. Teens with siblings will especially grasp the difficulties often inherent in those relationships, even if the characters are in Seoul instead of America. The Long Season of Rain fulfills a number of needs of teen readers, including those interested in foreign places and those who wish to better understand how tradition plays a role in the family.
June 9, 2009
This was an excellent read. I've been collecting books for when my daughter is older and from a variety of cultural perspectives. This book is set in Korea in the 1960's. The author addresses gender roles and cultural traditions regarding marriage, as well as giving the reader a picture of the home architecture, food, climate, and clothing of Korea. This would make a great middle school read but is also easily enjoyed by adults. It's a sad story in many ways, but it doesn't leave the reader without hope.
March 21, 2010
Enjoyed this book very much. Enjoyed reading about the struggles other women face. Although the book is told from a girl's point of view, the book is really more the mother's story. Made me feel grateful for my own situation. The book does have some fairly adult situations that move the story along- Dad has "other women," drinks, some abusive discipline, plus cultural issues- so I would recommend for over age 12.
April 6, 2010
I randomly pulled this from the shelf and am so glad I did! The story gives a glimpse to everyday life if South Korea during the mid 1960's. The family drama is enough to carry the story and though earlier conflicts are mentioned, it was refreshing to read a YA book about Korea without the focus on them.
February 12, 2008
A lovely book that I read while pretending to organize books @ work. ;)
July 7, 2009
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was on the reccomended Summer reading books so i just read it. It turned out that the book was great.I would definatley recomend this book to middle schoolers
May 4, 2011
Good book. what i liked about it was that it was not trying to be a deep but it was. It is rare to find books about korea so this was a good find.Totally would recommend it.
January 3, 2014
I liked reading this book which is from the point of view of a young Korean girl. Trigger Warning for abuse.
November 20, 2013
Interesting glimpse into middle class familyvlife in 1969 Korea. And, the emergence of women thinking they might not have to be subservient - to their husbands or mothers in law.
October 21, 2024
There are many things that I love about this book. Kim's descriptive accounts of the various settings in which the story takes place are commendable. I could easily picture the homes, yards, marketplaces, etc.
I also appreciate the colorful characters that Kim created for the book. The realistic and genuine traits possessed by each one make them seem familiar to the reader.
The dialogue throughout "The Long Season of Rain" flows seamlessly. The spoken words support the personalities of the characters. The thoughts and feelings of each individual in the story are clearly understood.
This book may move a little slowly for some readers' tastes. However, it held my attention and I, personally, took pleasure the pace.
Although I never determined the time period of the story, I enjoyed reading about the lifestyle of these families in Seoul.
So, in summary, I found this book to be thoroughly enjoyable and believable right up to the final chapter (and epilogue). The family members in the story ended up doing the "right" thing so that the conflicts were resolved beautifully. In my world, unfortunately, it's hard to imagine so many people being willing to work together, to forgive & forget, and to change & improve themselves in order to fix an unpleasant situation.
I hesitantly admit that I didn't want to see the story end as ideally as it did. Maybe I should spend some time reflecting on that fact?!
I also appreciate the colorful characters that Kim created for the book. The realistic and genuine traits possessed by each one make them seem familiar to the reader.
The dialogue throughout "The Long Season of Rain" flows seamlessly. The spoken words support the personalities of the characters. The thoughts and feelings of each individual in the story are clearly understood.
This book may move a little slowly for some readers' tastes. However, it held my attention and I, personally, took pleasure the pace.
Although I never determined the time period of the story, I enjoyed reading about the lifestyle of these families in Seoul.
So, in summary, I found this book to be thoroughly enjoyable and believable right up to the final chapter (and epilogue). The family members in the story ended up doing the "right" thing so that the conflicts were resolved beautifully. In my world, unfortunately, it's hard to imagine so many people being willing to work together, to forgive & forget, and to change & improve themselves in order to fix an unpleasant situation.
I hesitantly admit that I didn't want to see the story end as ideally as it did. Maybe I should spend some time reflecting on that fact?!
January 28, 2020
This was a great read. It reminded me of many "fatherless" homes. And, living in western Oregon, I can relate to the long season of rain. The characters are well-developed and likable or not, as it were. I found myself wanting to 'hate' a person who acted like a jerk, but like other family members, accepted that person as he was. We are all fallible. No one wants to be hurt. But we are kind more often than not. I am from a generation that had grandparents as a part of life. We visited them often, and learned a lot from them. I am sorry that so many families find, sports, movies, etc. more important than family now. I look forward to another book by Helen Kim!
May 14, 2020
South Korea 1960s
A family: Father, his mother, his wife, his 4 daughters, and their helper. Mixed in with love and respect, there's disappointment and dislike. The girls' mother is miserable, and speaks of being a stranger in her own home. The young girls are beginning to learn about the realities of the family make up, and what will be expected of them as they mature. This is a tough read, but the girls' mother's self-knowlege and strength are amazing.
A family: Father, his mother, his wife, his 4 daughters, and their helper. Mixed in with love and respect, there's disappointment and dislike. The girls' mother is miserable, and speaks of being a stranger in her own home. The young girls are beginning to learn about the realities of the family make up, and what will be expected of them as they mature. This is a tough read, but the girls' mother's self-knowlege and strength are amazing.
April 21, 2023
Pathetic book and storyline! I was expecting alot since its about South Korean culture but nah. I recommend you don't read it if you do not like books that have like 34 chapters. I would give it a zero but have to rate it.
October 30, 2020
An unexpectedly good read. Deals with Korean culture in quite an eye-opening way.
May 28, 2021
So very sad.
December 23, 2025
Tutto inizia nella Corea del Sud, nel periodo del chagma, un periodo di lunghe piogge quando l’orfano Pyungsoo Park è ospitato da Junehee, le sue sorelle, sua nonna, suo padre a volte crudele e sua mamma.
Questo libro parla della tradizione coreana che parla delle condizioni delle donne, il loro rapporto con il mondo maschile, la difficoltà di continuare ad amarsi e la necessità di essere libere.
Mi è piaciuto molto questo libro perché è scritto molto bene.
Questo libro parla della tradizione coreana che parla delle condizioni delle donne, il loro rapporto con il mondo maschile, la difficoltà di continuare ad amarsi e la necessità di essere libere.
Mi è piaciuto molto questo libro perché è scritto molto bene.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews