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semperlunaris's review against another edition
4.0
A gift from a friend, this was fucking harrowing and I had to take many breaks just to process what I had read. At one point I had to google as I couldn't believe what I was reading - surely this didn't happen to women during the war?! The trauma that these women were put through, and the fact that even today there is still a level of denial/'sweep it under the rug' mentality around it is disgusting and just shows the worst in humanity.
The themes of womanhood, living after trauma, and exploration of the relationship between mothers and daughters was written in a very matter of fact, neutral style which I enjoyed. The feeling of 'its awful now, it can't get any worse...oh, it can...' that I got from Akiko and Beccah throughout the book never left me, I can safely say that this book really opened my eyes and made me take stock of the world around me.
Read this novel, even if it destroys you in the process.
The themes of womanhood, living after trauma, and exploration of the relationship between mothers and daughters was written in a very matter of fact, neutral style which I enjoyed. The feeling of 'its awful now, it can't get any worse...oh, it can...' that I got from Akiko and Beccah throughout the book never left me, I can safely say that this book really opened my eyes and made me take stock of the world around me.
Read this novel, even if it destroys you in the process.
ksaphire's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
gustikazzz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kategci's review against another edition
3.0
This was a postal book club selection that was new to me. I would never have picked it up and it is historical fiction about a part of World War II that was unknown to me. Comfort women were supplied to Japanese troops to "comfort" them on leave. The women did not choose this role and the story is told mostly from the point of view of a daughter trying to understand her mother and her way of doing things. A sad story, but I learned something else about World War II.
mxmlln's review against another edition
1.0
Story: 3.0 / 10
Characters: 8.5
Setting: 7.5
Prose: 7.5
Tags: Comfort women, Japan, Korea, missionaries, possession, spirits, Hawaii, mothers
Characters: 8.5
Setting: 7.5
Prose: 7.5
Tags: Comfort women, Japan, Korea, missionaries, possession, spirits, Hawaii, mothers
ronnilynnsharpe's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so much more than I imagined it would be. It seems like a simple history, and a simple relationship between mother and daughter, but it is so much more than that. It tells of the ties between the old and the new, and the interaction of foreign and non. The switching narration between mother and daughter allows for a deeper connection with both women, and a feeling of being one with them throughout both of their journeys in life. It gives a voice to a part of WWII that most do not know of, or remember. This book can change the way you view the world if you let it.
shutupdivs's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
this book is a work of art. the prose is lyrically sublime, the elements of korean folklore are so effortlessly entwined into the larger tale; the characterization of a mother reeling from the horrors of her past and a daughter trying to bring her back to the present is sure to turn you into a sobbing mess. everything about this book is perfect. i think it also comes as a gentle reminder of the fact that history is inescapable; your ancestors will always be a part of you no matter what. i have read many books on this subject but this book gives it a peculiar twist, invoking stubborn spirits and adding a little bit of magic to the grim reality that it tries to capture.
kai3cll's review against another edition
3.0
This was a haunting book to read. I wanted to give it up many times but I thought that if I didn't reach the last then the book will keep haunting me.
I wanted to understand the historical aspect of comfort women through this book but it didn't feature it much. Which was a tad bit disappointing.
However, the book features strong emotional value. It can grip the readers with trauma, grief, and a detached feeling from the world. The suffering of the camps embodies itself in the sentences and falls heavy on the heart of the readers.
It almost felt a bit whimsical to read. Partly because of the heavy focus on the spirit world. It was too emotionally heavy and suffocating read for me. I prefer a lighter narrative that expresses the suffering of history in everyday life.
This is why the book isn't a great pick for someone who wishes to learn more about the historical side of comfort women but it is still a good book about a mother and daughter's relationship that is heavily influenced by generational trauma and remnants of history.
The scenes between the mother and daughter are soft, painful, and familiar. Although the characters experience the everyday life of an immigrant household with a single parent in an extremely different way- at the base of it are the familiar bounds of protection, love, sympathy, and care.
Overall, this is way too emotionally heavy for me and lacking in historical knowledge. So, it is just not for me and I am glad to bid it farewell.
I wanted to understand the historical aspect of comfort women through this book but it didn't feature it much. Which was a tad bit disappointing.
However, the book features strong emotional value. It can grip the readers with trauma, grief, and a detached feeling from the world. The suffering of the camps embodies itself in the sentences and falls heavy on the heart of the readers.
It almost felt a bit whimsical to read. Partly because of the heavy focus on the spirit world. It was too emotionally heavy and suffocating read for me. I prefer a lighter narrative that expresses the suffering of history in everyday life.
This is why the book isn't a great pick for someone who wishes to learn more about the historical side of comfort women but it is still a good book about a mother and daughter's relationship that is heavily influenced by generational trauma and remnants of history.
The scenes between the mother and daughter are soft, painful, and familiar. Although the characters experience the everyday life of an immigrant household with a single parent in an extremely different way- at the base of it are the familiar bounds of protection, love, sympathy, and care.
Overall, this is way too emotionally heavy for me and lacking in historical knowledge. So, it is just not for me and I am glad to bid it farewell.
agoldman's review against another edition
3.0
I did not give the novel as much attention as it deserved but I found it very well done. This is a narrative fundamentally about identity and Keller explores this through a subversion of two ostensibly permanent states (?) : Birth and Death.
Also, as an introduction to the atrocities done to a Korean women during WW2, this novel was exceedingly heart-rending.
Discomforting Knowledge, a critical analysis of the text by Kandice Chuh, offers a good ontological schema to dive into the book with if anyone feels so inclined.
Edit:
Just want to add that my favorite part of the book was the relationship scenes between Max and Beccah—really difficult.
Also, as an introduction to the atrocities done to a Korean women during WW2, this novel was exceedingly heart-rending.
Discomforting Knowledge, a critical analysis of the text by Kandice Chuh, offers a good ontological schema to dive into the book with if anyone feels so inclined.
Edit:
Just want to add that my favorite part of the book was the relationship scenes between Max and Beccah—really difficult.