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eggjen's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, this was quite a story! Every time you thought things couldn't get worse for this family, all the rules change and life gets harder. I couldn't believe how much they went through in just one year. Another great book to bring history to life.
midwifereading's review against another edition
4.0
Powerful, moving story based on the author's personal experience.
kanatakara's review against another edition
4.0
A gripping tale of a (North) Korean family who suffered under the Japanese regime, and then the Russian, and their journey to escape to the South.
cstoeger's review against another edition
2.0
It is 1945, and courageous ten-year-old Sookan and her family must endure the cruelties of the Japanese military occupying Korea.
erinmp's review against another edition
4.0
Sookan is ten years old and living in North Korea during WWII. Her father, brothers, and uncle are all gone and she is living with her mother, aunt, grandfather, and little brother. The Japanese control her town and things are horrible: she's not allowed to speak Korean, her mother must tirelessly run a sock factory for the Japanese in their front year, and her grandfather is frustrated beyond belief at the occupation. When the war ends, hope explodes in her small town, but soon that is eradicated as well as the Russins take over and preach Communism. Other North Koreans are escaping to Soth Korea, but will Sookan and her family go? Will they ever see the rest of their family again? What will happen if they stay?
Choi's novel is interesting, intriguing, and disturbing. As she lived through this period, she is well-aware of the feelings and emotions of the time and she does a good job of expressing them through her novel. Sad and sepressing as it is, it is important to learn of this little-known piece of history and remember those who had to endure it.
Choi's novel is interesting, intriguing, and disturbing. As she lived through this period, she is well-aware of the feelings and emotions of the time and she does a good job of expressing them through her novel. Sad and sepressing as it is, it is important to learn of this little-known piece of history and remember those who had to endure it.
joyfilledwander's review against another edition
3.0
There's so much punch packed into this little read. Sook Nyul Choi's Year of Impossible Goodbyes is the heart aching story of ten-year-old Sookan, and her family, living in Korea during the Japanese occupation of World War II. As the endure the harsh world the Japanese have created, the Koreans breathe a sigh of relief when the Russian Soviet soldiers defeat the Japanese. But things do not get easier for Sookan under Soviet rule. As they make plans to escape to the newly created South Korea, Sookan is forced to endure more than any ten-year-old ever should. Written intentionally for a young audience, the reader really gets to understand what the war meant to even the youngest generation, who felt its impact for years. A great story, which I think is also autobiographic, and is quite moving. I recommend for all interested in World War II, and especially Korean history!
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http://joyreads2013.tumblr.com
hldillon's review against another edition
4.0
What would you do to find freedom? 10 year old Sookan and her family live in Korea in the midst of WWII. When everything special gets taken away from them (they now have to learn Japanese and not Korean), the family does what it can to keep going and make sure their spirits stay strong. However, when the war ends, they are faced with a new threat and have to a desperate escape to the South.
a_manning11's review against another edition
5.0
This is a historical novel that does a great job at describing the Japanese occupation of Korea during WWII, and the lack of relief when the Russians take over what is to become North Korea. I previously knew nothing of this history.
The story is based on the author's experiences as a child and the characters keep the story going.
The story does have a happy ending but this book contains dramatic scenes. I am not sure how suitable this book is for younger children.
The story is based on the author's experiences as a child and the characters keep the story going.
The story does have a happy ending but this book contains dramatic scenes. I am not sure how suitable this book is for younger children.
kfry83's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75