Offerings: A Novel

by Michael ByungJu Kim

The national bestseller that Gary Shteyngart has called, "A potent combination of a financial thriller and a coming-of-age immigrant tale. . . . Offerings is a great book."

With the rapidly cascading Asian Financial Crisis threatening to go global and Korea in imminent meltdown, investment banker Dae Joon finds himself back in his native Seoul as part of an international team brought in to rescue the country from sovereign default. For Dae Joon—also known by his American name of Shane, after the cowboy movie his father so loved—the stakes are personal.

Raised in the US and Harvard Business School–educated, Dae Joon is a jangnam, a firstborn son, bound by tradition to follow in the footsteps of his forebears. But rather than pursue the path his scholar-father wanted, he has sought a career on Wall Street, at the epicenter of power in the American empire. Now, as he and his fellow bankers work feverishly with Korean officials to execute a sovereign bond offering to raise badly needed capital, he knows that his own father is living on borrowed time, in the last stages of a disease that is the family curse. A young woman he has met is quietly showing the way to a different future. And when his closest friend from business school, a scion of one of Korea's biggest chaebol, asks his help in a sale that may save the conglomerate but also salvage a legacy of corruption, he finds himself in personal crisis, torn by dueling loyalties, his identity tested.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Asia

288 pages, Paperback

First published March 24, 2020

About the author

Michael ByungJu Kim is a financier, philanthropist, and author. He has more than thirty years of experience on Wall Street, in investment banking and private equity. Offerings is his first novel. He grew up in Seoul, Korea, was educated in the United States, and currently works in Seoul and Hong Kong. He has two sons working and studying in the US. He lives with his wife of twenty-eight years in Seoul.

Reviews

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 3 out of 5]

You will enjoy this book if you enjoy
*Political fiction
*Historical fiction
*In-depth character portrayal
*Family saga
*Multicultural representation

As for me, I quite enjoyed the complex characters and the writing style. It tends to become a bit too political and philosophical at times (as expected). The chapters are divided into different timelines. So in this sense the rhythm may seem a little haphazard. This is the kind of book which demands total attention and something which just cannot be rushed through. The book has been written very meticulously and with lots of effort I can say. However, as much as I am unfamiliar with the Korean culture and its history (my knowledge is too limited to k-pop, k-drama and such!) I could jot completely grasp the content of the story and its characters. However, you will get to know a lot more about such culture and yes, the story seems to drag a lot in between. The characters seem a bit too distant but yes, you won't be able to deny them as well. It's a trying read for me. But somehow I enjoyed reading it.

Thank you #NetGalley for the book #Offerings

[Jessica Woodbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I complain a lot in my reviews about comp titles (the books a book gets compared to) and how lazy many of them are. But this one is actually pretty good! Chang Rae Lee + The Big Short is a very accurate pitch of this book. There are so many things wrapped up in this book but it uses as its central plot the Korean Financial Crisis of the late 90's (that was one part of the larger Asian financial crisis).

Dae Joon moved from Korea to the US as a child in the 70's. While his work at a fancy Wall Street firm is prestigious for an American, to his Korean parents it isn't the route they wanted for him. But when Dae Joon is brought in by the firm to help find a way to save Korea from financial collapse, he sees a chance to prove himself. But it all becomes more than he bargained for. He finds himself caught between the often competing interests of the company he works for and the country he left behind. Then an old friend from one of Korea's wealthiest families asks Dae Joon to handle the sale of one of his businesses, a chance to prove himself a big player at the firm, until he finds the business in shambles as workers are on strike. Yet again he feels conflicting loyalties between the workers' interests, his friend's interests, and his company. They are really smart morally complicated situations that give us the opportunity to see not just a contrast between cultures but between classes.

Along with all the high finance (don't worry, you don't need to know anything about money to be able to follow along) there's also real personal stakes as we flash back to Dae Joon as he grows up in the US, gradually improving his English and becoming more integrated into American culture. While I sometimes found that it pulled me away from the momentum of the central story, ultimately it helped tie me deeper to the characters, and especially to Dae Joon's relationship with his father, who is in ill health through the center of the story, causing him additional worry and strain.

There is another Korean novel about class and capitalism that is out this spring that is quite different from this one, but it's fascinating to me how much Korean fiction is looking at a reckoning of the last 50 years of its history and especially income inequality, capitalism, debt, and the power of protest.

[Calzean · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author is a South Korean billionaire businessman. Not surprisingly his novel features a Harvard-educated investment banker sent from the US to aid in debt negotiations to end South Korea's debt crisis of the mid to late 1990s. His parents were from South Korea so the book covers some Korean history, North-South tensions, Korean culture and traditions and political leaders of the time.
The actual story around financial dealings and schemes was a bit lost behind all of the other story lines, including the heroes finding love and dealing with a dying father. But hey, the author has made a lot of money and so who I am to criticise his writing.

[Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

In “Offerings,” Dae Joon “Shane” Lee returns to his father’s homeland of South Korea as a Harvard-educated investment banker to aid in debt negotiations to end the Asian Financial Crisis of the late 1990s. During long hours trying to save the country he never quite knew, Dae Joon negotiates his own connection to Korea, his cultural identity as a Korean-American, and his societal responsibilities as jangnam—the eldest son of his ailing father.

Debut novelist Michael ByungJu Kim offers a fictionalized version of his own life as a Korean-American immigrant and self-made billionaire from the world of investment banking. His novel is historical fiction, with names changed to protect the innocent (and guilty) involved in the financial crisis and surrounding corporate scandal. The book’s parallel narrative timelines—the ongoing crisis negotiations and Dae Joon/Shane’s childhood—show the evolution and tormented duality of its main character’s sense of duty to father and to country.

This book about identity never quite finds its own, torn between life as a nonfiction financial history, an introduction to Korean history and phrases, with a little romance and cultural commentary thrown in. Dae Joon’s strained relationship with his dying father may have added emotional depth to the largely technical story, but gets lost amid the myriad details.

Kim’s writing does provide welcome moments of revelation and even poetry in flashes of nostalgia and reckoning, but is burdened by a first-time author’s heavy hand. Kim told Publisher’s Weekly, “as with many first-time novelists, I had so much to say.” Sometimes strength in a book is found in what is left unsaid: show, don’t tell.

Overall: “Offerings” is a decent debut novel in concept, but falls short on delivery. ★★ ½.

Thank you to NetGalley and Arcade Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

[oohlalabooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written story that offers a powerful, resonating message of loyalty. Loyalty to self, loyalty to family, loyalty to work ethics, and loyalties to two cultures/countries. The MC Dae Joon amassed a career on Wall Street which brings him to Korea during the Asian Financial Crisis. He’s torn by his duty to his birth country and of his native country. Excellent read! Thank you to the author for an ARC. This is my honest review.

[Kataklicik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook : Spotify.
Read by David Shih.
Also via ebook.


What wonderful prose, juxtaposed with steely financial jargon. Part history lesson, part finance, part cultural showcase , part romance. there's a little bit of everything in this book. I quite enjoyed this.

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I was excited to try a book set in Korea by a Korean author, this one left much to be desired. The mix of historical fiction and finance resulted in the plot being quite dry, and having chapters alternate what year they were set in made the overall story hard to follow. While the chapters from Dae Joon's childhood added background, they didn't feel like an important addition to the plot and instead like long tangents from someone just throwing their thoughts onto the page. And the "present day" chapters from the late 90s focused so much on the Korean financial crisis that it was much more of a history lesson than a story with interesting characters.

To me, the more enjoyable parts of the book were spent outside the financial discussions and instead on Dae Joon's time out drinking or on dates, so I just wish we saw more of that.

[Ruibo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book touches my heart for its story resonates with me. I felt well connected with the author Michael ByungJu Kim when I was reading: I saw someone loves his homeland, his people, and his family deep inside his heart. And this love was not "publicly displayed" but was inexplicitly expressed or somewhat well hidden in the story, the writing, and the words (in a very Asian way), for which I believe this book is underappreciated. I feel so fortunate for hearing about and reading through this book. I’m truly grateful for the recommendation!

[Daniela Trivino · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 6th title I have won from GoodReads.

This novel tells the story of a Korean protagonist who moves to the United States of America at a young age, and against his father's wishes pursues a career in business. He graduates from Harvard University and lands a job on Wall Street, which eventually leads him right back to Korea.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. It is well-written and very engaging. Initially, I was worried because historical fiction and business are not my favourite genres. However, this author manages to strike a good balance between the family backstory, his childhood, traditional Korean lore and the historical business aspects.

This book kept my attention despite featuring topics that I had very little frame of reference to understand. I learned a lot about Korean history and culture through this novel. None of the plot ever felt over my head and was explained in a way that allowed for anyone to understand and appreciate the overall story.

My favourite part is that although this is a fictionalized account of real events there is clear heart and feeling coming through the pages. A lot of this story felt very personal and real, and that's what made this story a pleasure to read.

[Kate Learson · Rating 2 out of 5]

His colleague’s nickname is the Jackhammer whose wife’s nickname is “The Slab.” Finance bros are the same in all countries. This sounds promising, but unfortunately, this book is bad.

[Joe Bovino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Offerings is an engrossing window into the life of a fascinating Korean-American character as he grapples with how to survive and thrive across cultures, save his native Korea from financial catastrophe with skills he honed on Wall Street, and earn the love, approval, and acceptance of his beloved father along the way. I loved it!

[Gana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Offerings is a deeply perceptive and elegantly crafted novel that intertwines the high-stakes world of international finance with the intimate complexities of cultural identity, filial duty, and personal conscience. Set against the backdrop of the 1997–98 Asian Financial Crisis, the story follows Dae Joon (also known as Shane), a Korean-born, Harvard-educated investment banker who returns to Seoul as part of a global team tasked with rescuing Korea from economic collapse.

The novel’s narrative structure alternates between Dae Joon’s American upbringing and his return to Korea, allowing Kim to richly explore the protagonist’s internal struggle with belonging and identity. Dae Joon is a jangnam, the firstborn son, bound by Confucian tradition to honour his family and heritage, yet he is drawn to the Western ideals and ambitions that shaped his career on Wall Street. This tension between tradition and modernity, duty and desire, is at the heart of the novel, and Kim renders it with nuance and emotional authenticity.

Kim’s insider knowledge of the financial world lends the novel a rare authenticity. The technical details of sovereign bond offerings, the fevered negotiations with government officials, and the looming spectre of national default are presented with clarity, but never overwhelm the human story. Instead, the financial crisis serves as a crucible, testing Dae Joon’s loyalties—not only to his country and colleagues, but to his ailing father and his own moral compass.

The relationship between Dae Joon and his father is particularly poignant. Through their interactions, Kim examines the pressures of filial piety, the weight of family legacy, and the generational conflicts that often define immigrant and diasporic experiences. The novel does not shy away from the emotional toll of these expectations, nor from the quiet moments of reconciliation and understanding that can emerge in their wake.

Offerings is also enriched by its evocation of Korean culture, folklore, and history. Kim’s lyrical prose and attention to detail bring Seoul to life, from its bustling financial districts to its tranquil parks and ancestral homes. The inclusion of Korean folktales and the protagonist’s reflections on his heritage deepen the novel’s exploration of identity and belonging.

Offerings succeeds as both a financial thriller and a coming-of-age tale. It is a novel about the choices that define us, the sacrifices we make for family and country, and the search for meaning in a world shaped by both tradition and change. Kim’s debut is not only a compelling portrait of a pivotal moment in Asian history, but also a universal meditation on love, ambition, and the enduring ties of home.

[Bidaya Jadida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Offerings is a complex novel that interweaves personal and historical narratives, exploring themes of identity, family, and the weight of cultural expectations. Set against the backdrop of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the novel delves into the world of high finance while simultaneously examining the protagonist's internal struggles.  

Kim masterfully juxtaposes the fast-paced, high-stakes world of international finance with the quiet introspection of Korean culture. The protagonist, Dae Joon, finds himself torn between the expectations of his traditional Korean father and the demands of his Westernized career. This tension creates a rich tapestry of complexities as Dae Joon navigates his identity and purpose.  

At its core, Offerings is a novel about identity and belonging. Dae Joon grapples with questions of cultural heritage, filial duty, and personal ambition. His journey to reconcile his Korean roots with his American upbringing is a central theme that resonates with many readers who have experienced similar cultural clashes.  

The novel explores the concept of filial piety and the pressure to live up to parental expectations. Dae Joon's relationship with his father is a complex and nuanced portrayal of the intergenerational conflict often experienced by immigrant families. Kim effectively captures the emotional toll of carrying the weight of family history.  

While Offerings is a character-driven novel, it also offers a glimpse into the world of high finance. The author's insider knowledge of the industry adds depth and authenticity to the narrative. The financial crisis serves as a backdrop for exploring themes of greed, corruption, and the human cost of economic upheaval.

Kim's writing is characterized by its lyrical prose and meticulous attention to detail. The novel's structure, which alternates between past and present, allows for a gradual unveiling of the protagonist's backstory and the development of the plot. The author's use of Korean cultural elements enriches the narrative and provides a sense of authenticity.

Offerings is a thought-provoking novel that offers a fresh perspective on the immigrant experience. By blending personal and historical narratives, Kim creates a rich and complex tapestry that resonates with readers on multiple levels. The novel's exploration of identity, family, and the complexities of the modern world makes it a compelling and rewarding read.  

[Jong Ha · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a firecracker! Irresistible and unstoppable page-turner – finished in a day!

Esthetically written and smartly laid out, the author writes a story of a young, elite Korean-American investment banker given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to save his bankrupt mother country out of a financial crisis. With so much to tell of his own odyssey, he lets readers have them all in Offerings: Father and son, from Korea to America, American then Korean, salad bowl to melting pot and then vise-versa, factual yet poetic, hilarious and somber, introspective but also often light-hearted, and eventually the eldest son and his father. The offerings for his beloved father’s 제사 (jesa) – the traditional Confucius Korean memorial ritual – becomes a means by which the main character Dae Joon learns to find his inner peace, or William Yeats’ Innisfree, or Buddha’s Shanti: He is alone, but also communicates movingly and deeply with his father during the jesa.

Throughout the book, readers will also enjoy detecting elements of Parasite, Chang-Rae Lee, Michael Lewis, Michael Moore, Gary Shteyngart, 조정래 (Jo Jung-rae), 황석영 (Hwang Sok Yong), Confucius, Buddha, Plato, Kierkegaard, Moby Dick, Crazy Rich Asians, Dallas (the TV series), numerous chaebol and political K-drama series, IMF Policy Papers, Korean Ministry of Finance Policy Papers, Mission Impossible, even James Bond movies, and Gangnam Style (the music video) even! It’s a book readily made for a TV series!

I can’t wait for the sequel. There are hints that point to such: the author ends with a 돌 (dol) ceremony, celebrating the first birthday of his own son – “flow of life”, and he coyly confesses he has “not been able to leave finance altogether”.

[John Lineberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this book pitched and reviewed several times as the "Korean Big Short." This book certainly has some similarity to The Big Short, but there's a lot more to it. The protagonist, Shane, or Lee Yisa, is a Korean-American Wall Street banker helping resolve Korea's enormous debt during the Asian Market Crisis of the late '90s, as well as a sketchy chaebol deal being speared by one of his old friends. There is a lot of heady banking speech, especially early on, that the protagonist tries to explain to the reader, or point out that it is intentional nonsense. Most of the book is about Shane contemplating his complicated upbringing and the impending death of his father. While in Korea, he tries to reconnect to his heritage and Korean culture during a time of great political upheaval. He spends a lot of time discussing Korea under the dictatorial rule of Park Chung-Hee in the '70s, whom his father worked for closely before fleeing Korea with his family. There is also a blossoming romance between he and the daughter of a mid-tier chaebol family that had old ties to Park Chung-Hee as well.

I enjoyed this book very much, mostly for all the historical knowledge and context it provides. It is overall very well written and the characters were endearing. The "Big Short" portion of the novel is not nearly as well paced and witty as TBS was, and often bored me. But honestly, Shane seemed very bored as well. That said, the ending of the TBS story line did manage to be satisfying, intense, and easy to follow.

[D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael ByungJu Kim’s Offerings is a fast-paced and engaging novel that immerses readers in the high-stakes world of investment banking while offering a sharp, sometimes biting, portrait of the financiers who inhabit it. With a keen eye for detail and a sardonic wit, Kim skewers the excesses and absurdities of the financial elite, making the novel as entertaining as it is insightful. Beyond finance, Offerings also serves as a compelling window into South Korea’s economic transformation, particularly the outsize role of the chaebols—family-run conglomerates that have driven the nation’s rapid development while simultaneously entrenching structural inequalities. Kim deftly captures both the intoxicating promise of economic ascent and the moral compromises often required to sustain it.

That said, while the novel’s pacing and storytelling are undeniably strong, the prose occasionally feels as if Kim is straining to establish his literary credentials. At times, the diction leans into an erudition that feels more performative than natural, as if the author is consciously proving he’s a “man of letters.” The result is passages where the language distracts rather than enhances, momentarily pulling the reader out of an otherwise immersive narrative. Still, this is a minor flaw in an otherwise intelligent and highly readable debut. Offerings is a thought-provoking, entertaining novel that will appeal to readers drawn to the intersection of finance, history, and personal ambition.

[Claire Wilkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found reading this book a little difficult at times trying to figure out the the financial and political language.. I realize the concept was a crucial part of the story, but felt it could have been less wordy and more ‘user’ friendly.

But the story of Dae Joon’s family and career, with the Korean connection, was well worth my perseverance.

Dae Joon emigrated from Korea to the U.S. at age 12. He was intrigued by the American way of life and chose not to follow his fathers’ wishes to keep the family tradition, but decided to become a financial expert for the New York Stock Exchange. Some 20 years after he emigrated, he was told to ‘pack his bags’ and head back to his birthplace with his firm Phipps &Sterling to create a package to rescue Korea when Asia was in financial crisis.

What I enjoyed most in this book was being involved in the Korean culture through the stories Dae Joon told of his memories of Korea and of family relations. He spends a lot of time trying to convince his father that he has chosen the right path, especially when he was in the position to help his birth land.
I give this book 3.5 stars and can recommend reading it.

[Richard Derus · Rating 3 out of 5]

PEARL RULE @ 49%

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: When, oh when! will I learn from my own oft-repeated lessons?! IF SOMEONE WHOSE WRITING YOU HATE BLURBS A BOOK, AVOID IT.

At the end of chapter 15, almost halfway through the book, I encountered what was for me the last straw...an extended metaphor of submission to authority in order always to be protected from the hideous dangers of your baser nature, and simultaneously a warning that the most comfortable illusions mask a genuinely threatening reality, in the form of a Korean folktale about a fox-spirit mother guarding her son.

It might work better for you than it did me, because the writing is...competent-plus...and has descriptive passages of some charm; Arcade Publishing is offering it and doing okay with it. I wasn't sufficiently invested to keep going after that smack upside my li'l punkin haid.

[Jerry Peace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novel about the Asian Financial Crisis, with emphasis on South Korea? Sure it is, but do not let that scare you off. Take this warning from South Korea's late twentieth century to heart- "'Chaebol oligarchs,' she says. 'Yesterday's dictators have been replaced by industrial oligarchs today. A handful of chaebol, people like my appa but worse, control Korean society, the economy, media, politics, education-all of it through their tentacles of corruption. And isn't it a worse kind of oppression, more insidious, because the people-' 'They're not aware of it,' I add." And this precise observation- "They're surrounded by a horde of lawyers and bankers, all in dark suits. I imagine these professionals getting ready for work in the morning, putting on their suits and tiers. Each of them, like generations of serious working men before them, tying a noose around his neck to go to work. Choking himself to a slow death."

[Scott White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take the world of international finance and throw in themes related to investment banking, the Asian financial crisis, an impending Korean debt default and you have the foundation for an intriguing plot. But where Michael Kim leads you is an entirely different path. Finance is merely context through which a compelling and thought-provoking drama is carefully constructed. Sophisticated and deep characters layer in themes of love and compassion. In it's deepest sense, this is a story about a father and son relationship and how their bond creates a moral compass for the primary character to learn, grow, mature and find meaning in life. Thought provoking, compelling, deep and meaningful on so many levels. An enjoyable read and one that makes you think and reassess your own values and relationships.

[Supriya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fictional novel about a young American investment banker from Wall street who heads home to Korea (his country of origin) during the time of the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997 to rescue the nation from the brink of bankruptcy. His divided loyalties and how he reconciles them for the good of every stakeholder, forms the plot line. The reason I found this interesting is because of the insights it gives into Korean culture and the Asian family values that he holds dear; also the idiom is unique.

Especially liked the fresh young voice of the boy fresh off the boat from Korea and in an American school for the first time (every alternate chapter is a flashback) as it was really authentic and resonates with my own experience of the brilliant young Korean children we came across in expat schools everywhere.

[Emma Lovett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was difficult for me to review, because I didn’t connect with the story as much as I had hoped I would, but the writing was beautiful and poetic in a way that was making me want to give it more stars. Author Michael ByungJu Kim creates a heartbreaking story of a man who finds himself back in his native land of Seoul during the Asian Financial Crisis, trying to prove to his dying father that he’s not a failure because he chose Wall Street over a PhD and trying to save his native land from further disaster. I really enjoyed parts of the book, especially the main character’s poetic musings of childhood memories of his father. Overall a book that sustained my interest, but didn’t leave an indelible impact.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up. I found this to be a fairly engrossing read. I admit to not totally understanding some of the financial stuff that happened in the first part of the book, but that didn't have much effect on my ability to enjoy the story. I liked the writer's observations on the balance of two cultures, and really appreciated learning so much I never knew about modern Korean history. There were a few places where the narrative thread stumbled a little, but I enjoyed the vivid language used in the book. Overall I enjoyed Offerings a lot. I received an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

[R Fontaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A subtle novel with Family intersections throughout the book, but the Wall Street M & A specialist manages to artfully give us an insight
into Korean history and the financial troubles of a highly leveraged major Korean company.
International finance melds with traditional family priorities, an immigrant’s complex return home and, even, romance.
The critical turning point in Day Joon’s life pivots around both his love of family and the critical nature of a failed valuation for the sale of a
company to get Korea out of the a default that would deeply wound the entire country.
It seems that the novel-briefly and subtly weaves multiple stories into a smooth instructive and romantic whole.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

The jumping of narrative timelines made it hard to enjoy this book as much I would have liked. The storylines about relationships (father and soon, boyfriend and girlfriend, friend and friend) were much more intriguing than the main plot of a major financial transaction. Unfortunately, I found these chapters to be one dimensional and the outcome of the deal predictable. The protagonist Michael (DJ) seemed quite bored with his professional choice which made the strain on his relationship with his father (who wanted him to be a scholar) a little confusing. Still, I appreciated the exploration of multiple identities, impact and trauma of historical events, and cultural traditions. 3.5 stars.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the questions raised by this book about who we are - whether it’s the person our parents wish for us to be, the person born in one country but raised in another who begins to question where he belongs and to which culture he truly belongs, and to what our duty is to the “least of these our brethren” when doing business.
However, the finance parts and the ending of the book were just tedious reading to me. It lost its oomph in those later chapters that would have made me keep it at a 4.

[Lex Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michael ByungJu Kim's novel has some beautiful prose but I give it 2 1/2 stars because of two things: (1) the constant jumping around in time was very disruptive to the flow of the narrative, and (2) the overuse of Korean terms without much explanation. The book would have been so much more enjoyable was it more linear in the storytelling. It was a good story and interesting, though. I thought (and hoped) to learn more about Korea and its culture than I did. I feel I was suckered into reading it by Malcolm Galdwell's review. My bad but a good lesson for me to learn.

[Molly L Maguire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as part of the Giveaways from this website and I was thrilled to receive a book on Korea that explained more of family customs and current day on-goings in Korea. I was in South Korea for 3 weeks back in 2008 for a military exercise that is mentioned in the book and served with ROK in Afghanistan in 2003. I was able to briefly visit Seoul and a few other lareas to grasp the culture. I encourage anyone planing a trip to Korea to read this book in advance and don't hesitate to use the dictionary to understand the references in the book.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those take-a-chance choices which I'm so glad I picked. Graceful is the word that comes to mind: even when Kim's re-creating the hectic world of a trading floor with its manic panic, he finds a way to balance the noise with introspection. This is really a love letter from a son to his father. Amusing, too, to see the narrator change from a Korean child new to America through adolescence and college to a man who has to make difficult choices, guided by his dad, but on his own thin ice.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very different and interesting story of a Korean man, born in Korea but raised from age 11 in America. He returns to Korea in 1997/8 as an investment banker, part of a team trying to save the country from a financial crises that threatens to sink the economy. He finds himself caught between his present and past. It is a fascinating look at Korean culture with its many flaws. The writing is very nice and moving.