"History has failed us, but no matter."
The opening line.
Genres: Novel, Historical Fiction
Pages: 490
"Pachinko" follows the lives of a Korean family living in Japan from the 1910s to the 1980s. The story revolves around Sunja, a young woman who becomes pregnant by a wealthy married man, leading her to marry a young minister and move to Osaka. As the family grapples with discrimination, poverty, and the complexities of identity, they become entwined with the world of pachinko, a Japanese gambling game.
The novel explores themes of love, sacrifice, ambition, and the impact of historical and societal forces on the characters' lives. It provides an empathetic portrayal of the immigrant experience of the Koreans in Japan.
Once in a while, a book leaves an indelible mark on the reader, and "Pachinko" is one such experience for me. The last time I felt something like this was for "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel García Márquez. Maybe I just like novels that tell multigenerational stories or family sagas, with a resilient and determined female character. I'm talking about Sunja in Pachinko and Ursula in Márquez's novel. Though not a main protagonist, Ursula was a formidable and memorable figure.
Immigrants, irrespective of their ethnicity or background, may relate to the experiences of the characters in the book. Though not an immigrant, I empathize with the struggles of the characters, poverty, and identity issues. The book was not only heartfelt but enlightening, too. I had no clue about the history of Korean immigrants in Japan, how they were looked down upon by the Japanese, and how they could not get decent jobs and ended up in menial work and unreputable businesses like pachinko, as is portrayed in the book. I had no idea about Pachinko, the game.
I remember a few scenes that were so satisfying, like Sunja's bargaining for the watch Hansu gave to pay off Yoseb's debt. She was determined to get the watch's worth when the broker was trying to take advantage of her, thinking she was helpless. I found myself beaming and saying in my head, "You go, girl!" Another scene was when Hansu knew of the American bombings before they happened and his subsequent efforts to save Sunja's family. While it was enjoyable to read the resourcefulness of the characters in the face of turmoil, some parts got me thinking about patriarchal attitudes, like when Yoseb got furious because the women paid off his debt. According to him, as he was the male family head, he was capable of taking care of the family and its finances, and women had no right to interfere in that domain. The women were just trying their best to help and were not at all questioning the man's ability. Sad! Then, on a lighter note, while reading the part where Sunja started selling kimchi, a sudden craving for kimchi overcame me. If I ever have the chance to visit Korea, indulging in authentic kimchi is a must.
While the book may not be perfect throughout, I have no complaints. If you are someone who enjoys family sagas, historical fiction, and stories that delve into the immigrant experience, you will likely find "Pachinko" enjoyable. I most certainly did.
Happy Reading!
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