Pachinko | Part 1

In this episode, Shari and Rhea dive into their new book, Pachinko, by Min Jin Lee. They give some background on author, Min Jin Lee, and her motivations for writing Pachinko. They discuss the Korean Japanese conflict that is the backdrop for this generational Korean family drama. They discuss the significance of “beginnings” in this novel, as well as its almost-omniscient narrative style. They discuss characters and the variety of motives the characters are operating from: everything from personal honor to cultural standing, lust to Christian love.

Links to websites, documentaries, and articles mentioned in this show:

• Felix Doolittle stationary website

• Min Jin Lee website

• Documentary on Pachinko and Min Jin Lee

• Article on Japanese annexation of Korea

• Women’s Roles in Contemporary Korea

• Value and Meaning of the Korean Family

You can find our full reading schedule for Pachinko here.

Next week we’ll be discussing pp. 95 - 201