3.15.2011

Just read

I just finished the novel "Somebody's Daughter" by Marie Myung-Ok Lee.

This well written story is set in Korea and weaves together two lives--Sarah, a Korean adoptee, and Kyung-sook, a Korean woman who placed her child for adoption.

What I really love about this story is it puts you in the mindset of both the adoptee and the birth mother. The story doesn't romanticize either position. Sarah is a complex character that you both cheer for, and are annoyed by. Much like most of us, I'd guess.

And Kyung-sook's character is realistically flawed as well. The story makes no excuse for her actions. They are understandable, and yet, reprehensible.

I love the contrasts between the character's perspectives too. Throughout the book are also some cultural insights, although, because it's a novel, I have no idea of they are really accurate or not. But it helped bring some of the culture alive (and in context) for me.

Overall, I thought it was a great book. Well worth a read.

4 comments:

  1. Sounds good, I'll have to check it out. :)

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  2. Thanks for the tip--I love a good book!

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  3. I have been wanting to read a Korea-something book. Thanks for the tip!

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