Pachinko

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee is an epic multi-generational family saga that explores themes of resilience, identity, and survival against the backdrop of Japanese-occupied Korea and 20th-century Japan. Spanning nearly eight decades, the novel follows four generations of a Korean family navigating hardship, discrimination, and complex family dynamics in a foreign land.

The story begins in the early 1900s with Sunja, the daughter of a humble Korean fisherman. After an unexpected pregnancy with a wealthy, married lover, she chooses to marry a kind but sickly Christian minister and move to Japan. This fateful decision sets her family on a path filled with struggle and sacrifice, as they face poverty, prejudice, and personal loss while striving for a better future.

Through vividly drawn characters and deeply emotional narratives, Pachinko highlights the strength of family bonds and the power of perseverance in the face of adversity. The title references the Japanese gambling game "pachinko," symbolizing chance, fate, and the family’s enduring fight for belonging and dignity.

With its sweeping historical scope and richly developed characters, Pachinko is a deeply moving novel that explores cultural identity, generational trauma, and the search for home. It has received critical acclaim and was a finalist