BB Book Club: Leah & Frankie Review Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
I’ve developed a lot of strong bonds with people through books. My mom will see that I have a book downloaded to our shared library and text me that she read it “forever ago,” and to call her when I’m done reading to remind her about it. A now long distance friend from college and I follow each other on Goodreads and have a never-ending list of recommendations for each other. And of course, one of my closest gals since moving to NY, my fav curly-crowned Queen, Frankie Fortunato.
At first, we bonded over long hours worked on the TV show where we met, our shared name (my middle, her first) and heritage, the jewelry we lust over and our addiction to shopping (we’ll support every purchase the other rationalizes). But eventually, we started a book club with our other fav gal, BB’s Liz. Frankie and I developed such a strong bond over reading that we’ve started reading the same books outside of our designated book club read. It seems fitting to have a review with her, especially following February's book club with the other queen of our book club trio. Even more fitting that Pachinko was our latest book club read. Even more fitting that Frankie is currently working on an Apple TV+ adaptation of the historical novel - but sorry folks, no spoilers from us #NDA.
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
LEAH - When I first started this book – which takes place during the annexation of Korea by Japan – I was so confused by who the story was about. It begins in 1883 with my man Hoonie, the only one of his siblings to survive birth. You’re introduced to this kind man and his many struggles, but very shortly after falling in love with his character, (*light spoiler*) he dies! Eventually, I got the hang of the story telling of this elaborate family tree and this Korean family’s journey in Japan. Living in my Western bubble with the brief history lessons I received in 8th grade Social Studies, I was ignorant to the racism inflicted on the other side of the world. Although Japan is 7,000 miles away, it protects an eerily similar toxic loop to what I know. Immigrants are treated poorly, given few options with even fewer paths to success, and are oppressed by a country that believes it is superior - a country that relies on immigrants’ hard work to help fuel the economy.
Pachinko is very realistic about the devastating tragedies of life, especially the heartbreaking oppression faced. But, don't let this deter you from reading this book. It reminded me of reading The Kite Runner, I was captivated and pushed through the disturbing moments, hoping for the plot to arrive at a happy ending. Although that moment never really comes, the story is still super well written and engaging from start to finish. I highly recommend reading Pachinko and I’m intrigued to watch the Apple TV+ series when it comes out!
FRANKIE - First of all, I want to thank my fellow fav curly-haired queen, Leah, for such a warm welcome!!
“History has failed us, but no matter.” These seven words open this sweeping family epic of a novel so simply, but how they (oh so thoroughly) pierced my heart. Lee was inspired to write this novel after she became aware of the oppression Koreans faced during the Japanese colonial rule over Korea from 1910 to 1945. Korean citizens were either forced to leave or voluntarily left their homes to move to Japan in search of work and a better life. Once they arrived in their new home, they had no choice but to take physically laborious jobs and shelter in overcrowded neighborhoods, as Koreans in Japan suffered highly discriminatory treatment. Lee writes about an “ordinary” Korean family that must continuously fight for their cultural identity across multiple generations and continents.
We follow Hoonie’s daughter, Sunja, as she grows up helping her family run their boarding house, from which they earn a small amount of money that’s hardly enough even for basic needs. We see her mature into a teenager and (another *light spoiler*) become pregnant out of wedlock. We travel with her to Osaka as she enters into a respectable marriage with another man, as she does not want to bring shame or burden onto her family. We stand with her as she struggles to live, work, and raise a family in Japan. We watch her son grow up and have the opportunity to open a Pachinko parlor (the title explained!) and in turn, have the ability to financially care for his mother. We even jump all the way to the late 1980s, where we finally see the fruits of Sunja’s labor - the path she selflessly paved for her grandson to be able to travel to New York to study, work, and find a connection to his own cultural identity. Sunja is a protagonist who is utterly relentless in the most admirable way. You feel her drive, her desire to survive, and ability to maintain her sense of self pulsate through the page.
To echo Leah, be prepared for a novel that does not offer you relief at its end. Sometimes I had to take long breaks from reading because of my emotional, and at times, OVER involvement in these characters (does anyone else gasp loudly, or start to talk to the characters as they read? Trying to convince them to do this, not that, etc.? No? Okay...me neither...). Even though most of the time you will have a lump in your throat for fear of what may happen next, I promise you, it’s worth it to keep going, to witness the tragedies and triumphs of this deeply rooted family.
Check List:
Always, always read the book before the movie - or TV series!
Diverge from your routine - open yourself up to stories about different cultures!!
Read a book recommended by a friend!!! :’)
