To Swim Across the World

by Frances Park, Ginger Park

In a novel based on the true story of the authors' parents, two young Koreans--Sei-Young Shin, a young man from a poor family in the rural South, and Heisook Pang, the daughter of a prominent minister in the North--encounter one another during the 1941 Japanese occupation of Korea in a meeting that transforms both their lives forever. Reader's Guide included. Reprint. 20,000 first printing.

Genres: Fiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published June 13, 2001

About the author

I grew up in an era when the U.S. Census Bureau need only come to my family's house to get a total head count of Koreans in my ‘burb. That reality is often reflected in fourteen books by publishers big and small for readers young and old.

BLUE RICE (Vine Leaves Press/June 2024) is a timely tale of a young woman from northern Korea who takes what fate deals her following the Korean War, including her acclimation to 1960s America when her husband deserts her.

On the horizon is a children's book SUKA'S FARM (Albert Whitman/March 2025), a testament to a hungry Korean boy's desire to feed his family during the Japanese Occupation.

THE SUMMER MY SISTER WAS CLEOPATRA MOON (Heliotrope NYC/Sept 2023) is a revised and streamlined version of a novel originally published in 2000, long before the era of K-Pop and K-Dramas. A quarter century later, the Oscars have proven that stories about the Asian American experience have certainly come to light, and that audiences are receptive. That said, playing in my mind like vintage footage, I was always hoping that somehow, someday, I could bring the Moon family back to life, sisters Marcy and Cleo cruising around in that yellow Mustang on their way to Taco Town in the summer of '76. And here it is!

Other works include GRANDPA'S SCROLL (Albert Whitman/May 2023), my sixth co-authored children's book with sister Ginger, my includes my memoir THAT LONELY SPELL: STORIES OF FAMILY, FRIENDS & LOVE (Heliotrope NYC/2022) and CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE: THE TRUE STORY OF TWO SISTERS, TONS OF TREATS, AND THE LITTLE SHOP THAT COULD (Thomas Dunne/ 2011), Shorter works - stories and essays - have appeared in O: The Oprah Magazine, The Chicago Quarterly, The Massachusetts Review, The Bellevue Literary Review, The London Magazine, Pleaides, Spirituality & Health Magazine, OZY, Slice, Folio, Gulf Coast Journal, and Arts & Letters, to name a few. One work earned a spot on THE BEST AMERICAN ESSAYS 2017 Notable List.

More co-authored and highly-praised children's books include MY FREEDOM TRIP: A CHILD'S ESCAPE TO NORTH KOREA (Boyds Mills Press/1998), winner of The International Reading Association Award; THE ROYAL BEE (Boyds Mills Press/2000), winner of The Joan B. Sugarman Award; and GOOD-BYE, 382 SHIN DANG DONG (National Geographic Children’s Books/2002), described by Newsweek magazine as "the perfect all-American story".

I've been interviewed on 'Good Morning America', CNN, the Diane Rehm Show, Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, and NPR.

When I'm not in writing mode, I'm at Chocolate Chocolate, a sweet boutique in Washington, DC breaking bonbons with customers. Books + Chocolate = A Dream Life!

Visit me at www.parksisters.com.

Reviews

[Evan Bolick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really fascinating, beautiful, and haunting portrait of life in Korea from brutal Japanese occupation leading up to the Korean War. Having two narrators provides a true spectrum of perspectives (North vs. South, rich vs. poor) and the tragedies (both personal and caused by occupation or war) are truly affecting. Nothing has done more to increase my growing anti-war sentiment than this beautifully written book. Highly recommended!

[thea a · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished a chunk of this book at the ocean-side, accompanied by waves, wind, and sun. A dense but tender story surrounding family and the effect that each has on the other. It reminds me of a deep longing and secrets that are made and kept outside of the light. The book ended quite abruptly, though. The story thinned and I was left yearning for more!!

A couple of word strings that struck me while reading:
"His hatred for Aunt Sunja was no secret, but like the soup on the stove, it usually simmered quietly"
"But grandfather was like the seasons, ever changing but always returning"
"With the arrival of spring and songbirds came the flowering of cherry blossoms on the tree, startling pink against the blue sky and Hanako's tender words had bloomed in my heart"
"Winter darkness fell upon the house and seeped into every corner"
"Father closed his eyes and swam in grandfather's words"
"Sunlight danced into our home"

[Fritz Villanueva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Underrated book.

[Joanne Rhodes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting and evocative book. I enjoyed reading the two perspectives of life in Korea each juxtaposed upon the other. It paints a dramatic picture of life in N. Korea and in S. Korea. I learned a lot about the cultures of this land. It inspired me to research more about Korea and the Korean War.

[Kriste · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another communism story -- this one about the division of North and South Korea and how it came to be. This is based on a true story and written by the daughters of the main character. (If I remember correctly!)

[Lora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the most beautiful, life-affirming books I've ever read. What amazes me most is that the authors based it on their parents' experiences.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A biographical story of one family's poignant struggle to stay together during the tragic split of the Korean nation.

[Delie Dell Chua · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book :) gave me a brief glimpse of how Korea was under the Japanese occupation, how Korea was when it was united and how much the people suffered during its separation.

[Farrah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the writing wasn't that great but it was very interesting to learn more about how/why Korea was divided, ruled by Japan and other Korean politics/issues that I hadn't known about.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was such a lovely, beautiful wonderful story when I first saw it I was hoping it would be worth it to read and it really does, there are so much things i love on this book but my fav part is when heisook took her journey to escape from north all by herself,the obstacles she had to go through esp that time she run her life through the border dared not looking back, not minding the bullets striking her although I was a bit dissapointed when I finished it and read the Q&As and learned that it was edited and some were not real at all they even made characters in the story

[Sally Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so many truly incredible layers to this tale, which is based on truth. The authors' parents were Koreans who were harassed and mistreated during WWII and again during the Korean War along with hundreds of others who were hoping for a free Korea. Here we are in 2024, and Korea is still divided and internally oppositional. This book helps us see the whys and wherefores of Korea's divisions and problems.

The personal stories of family sacrifices and decisions were heart-wrenching. What a beautifully crafted account!

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a glorious and personal glimpse into the more recent past of Korea's Japanese Occupation and the Korean War. Split into the dual narrations of a girl and a boy the story is told from many different angles, from the innocence of a child to the passion of a 20-something to words wisened with age. Loved every word, every chapter. As rich and full as a novel can get

[Jasmine C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful narrative that sheds light on one of human nature’s dark qualities: the hunger for power. The dangers of communism and fascism are reiterated and spread before the audience plainly by the resulting North and South Korean governments. The authors did a wonderful job.

[MaryAlyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very underrated book.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fictionalized version of the lives of Park’s parents. Her father, Sei-Young Shin, was born in the rural South to a poor family. Her mother, Heisook Pang, was the daughter of a wealthy minister in the North.

The writing here is serviceable – not beautiful, not poetic, but it works. The story itself is very interesting, and unfortunately not something I’ve read any other fiction about. The Japanese occupation of Korea was gruesome and devastating. There was forced recruitment, there were rapes, and there was murder of civilians. The Japanese attempted to forcibly eliminate Korean culture – the citizens had to take Japanese names, speak Japanese in school, and learn Japanese history. Heisook is conflicted, because her sweet Japanese teacher is kinda and patient with her. But at the same she time preaches and believes the same imperialist creed that Heisook's beloved brother deplores. It is also the same imperialism that eventually drafts Heisook's brother for fighting for a country he views as oppressors. Her brother runs away, and she can never look at her Japanese teacher the same way again. Sei-Young, because his family needs the money, begins working for a kindly Japanese farmer. Yes, the Japanese farmer took over land formerly owned by Koreans. But he is also just a normal human being who sought a better life for himself. He later risks his life to protect Sei-Young and his family. If this book shows anything, it’s that humans are complicated.

The most exciting part of this book is when Heisook escapes North Korea – she literally dodges bullets as she swims across the river to the South. She is utterly alone – her father has already crossed over, and her mother refuses to leave their home because she believes that her son might return. The terror of a teenager escaping her shattered homeland and facing death without any family or friends by her side is keenly felt and nicely handled.

I will say that despite the fact that this book was based on a real romance and marriage, I didn’t feel any sparks between Sei-Young and Heisook. I mean, I’m sure they were there in real life, but it was too dry for me to feel it. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it overall and was glad I read it.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

“For all my life – like Father’s trusty tin cup – the Japanese had been here; their presence was as natural as the sound of faraway streams. Faraway streams because while the Japanese lived on our land, they did not live in our world.”

Based on the real-life experiences of their parents, Frances and Ginger Park are sisters who create a beautiful novel of faith and resilience during the Japanese occupation of Korea during World War II. The hero, Sei-Young, grows up in the south, while the heroine, Heisook, lives with her family in the north. The authors alternate each character’s story, chapter by chapter, as they struggle under Japanese oppression, celebrate the triumph of the allies and the end of World War II, and find themselves on opposite sides of an imaginary line that will divide their country.

Simply written, To Swim Across the World is a terrific look into the historical events that shaped the world as we know it today. There are also some excellent themes including forgiveness, humanity, loss, resilience and faith. I’m going to recommend this to our school librarian as an excellent choice for middle and high school students. 3 1/2 stars.

[Dianna Shimizu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. While written as fiction, it is based on the true story of the authors' parents and I found it fascinating. Their mother was from the north and their father from the south. I have read, and have personally known several East Germans who escaped to the west, but this is the first time I have read about what happened in Korea. I have been to Seoul and Pusan and Inchon and saw first hand how the old still hated the Japanese, but now I have more understanding of why. My only wish is that the book didn't end in 1955--I really want to know the rest of the story.

[Gi Sun Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to give myself a moment to reflect on what I read. It's very compelling and it's hard to put down. I placed a lot of post-it notes throughout the pages because there were wonderful and insightful moments. I shed a few tears here and there. I'm glad that my 8th-grade Russian literature teacher gave me this book as a gift. Sorry it took me so long to read this book, Ms. Levine. I hope you enjoyed watching my reactions from the heavens. Thank you for your recommendation. I really do miss you.

[Kathy Ahn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing wasn't impressive, but the narrative was compelling. I don't know that much about Korean history and this was an interesting story about two families during Japanese occupation just before the border between North and South Korea became the DMZ. The authors are sisters writing a story based on the lives of their parents, one from South Korea and the other from North Korea. I think the authors usually write children's books and you can that from the novel.

[Nicolina Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable and eye-opening story. I don't know too much about North and South Korea's history and the stories of two young people on either side were perfect for illustrating the history of the country. I felt an affinity for the characters and read the book so fast because I couldn't put it down..I wanted to see how it would end up.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully written story detailing the lives of two people from Korea. One was raised in North Korea, the other in South Korea. One pheasant, the other privilaged. When war breaks out our storyline characters are fraught with struggling to find a better life, and in the end they keep the faith that they almost lost...and learn a great lesson.

[Marvin · Rating 1 out of 5]

A sappy, melodramatic, moralistic, didactic novel set in Korea from about 1940 to 1950, based on the lives of the authors' parents, one of whom grew up in the North as a privileged daughter of a Christian minister, the other of whom grows up in the South as an impoverished grandson of a Christian minister.

[Giselle Foss · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. The story is a good one, but the writing is less than compelling. The characters are mostly one-sided rather than complex. It's a shame because this period of history and its effects on ordinary families is fascinating and should make a great read.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fiction, but based on the true story of both author's parents who were raised on opposite sides of the 38th parallel and found each other after surviving Japanese invasion, WWII and the Korean war. I learned much about the history of Korea reading this. An inspiring story.

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Writing was rather plain, but the story was compelling. Taught me a lot of Korean history that I did not previously know. You feel for these characters and the suffering they experienced, despite the basic narration.

[Karina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alot to think about in this book! We are very blessed!