Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee is an ambitious multi-generational saga that follows a Korean family through the 20th century, navigating life in both Korea and Japan. While I found parts of the novel deeply engaging, my overall experience was mixed.

The first part of the book is where I felt Lee’s storytelling was at its best. The characters, especially Sunja and Isak, were so well-drawn that they felt incredibly real to me. The depiction of life in Korea under Japanese rule was both immersive and emotionally powerful. I was completely absorbed in the struggles and hopes of these characters, and the historical context added a layer of richness that I truly appreciated.

However, as the story moved into the second part, I started to lose some of that initial connection. While the exploration of the family’s life in Japan and their experiences with discrimination was interesting, the narrative became less focused. The plot broadened, which made it feel a bit more scattered and less emotionally intense. The introduction of the pachinko parlors as a central element of the story was intriguing, but the metaphor felt a bit heavy-handed at times.

By the time I reached the final part of the book, my engagement had waned. The pacing became rushed, and the story felt disjointed. New characters were introduced rapidly, and the once richly developed characters seemed to lose their depth, becoming more like symbols than real people. The abrupt shifts in narrative and style left me feeling disconnected and unsatisfied with the conclusion.

As someone who enjoys family sagas, I did appreciate the historical insights and the exploration of the Korean experience in Japan, a topic not often covered in literature. However, the uneven pacing and the fragmented nature of the final part of the book left me wishing for more consistency in the storytelling.

In the end, while Pachinko had moments of brilliance and provided valuable historical perspectives, it didn’t fully resonate with me as a cohesive and compelling family saga. The first two parts were excellent, but the final section let the story down, making it a book that I’m glad I read, but not one that I would rush to revisit.