Pachinko

by Min Jin Lee
Pachinko cover
Good Books rating 4.12
Historical Fiction
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 736
  • Added: 2025-09-19
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9781786691347
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
  • Published: 2017-02-23
  • Formats: 24
  • Reviews: 4

Pachinko is a captivating novel that spans nearly 100 years, following the lives of four generations of a Korean family. It begins in 1911 in Yeongdo, Korea, where young Sunja's life takes an unexpected turn when she falls for a wealthy yakuza and faces a difficult choice that will shape her future. Her decisions resonate through the decades, as the family moves to Japan and grapples with identity, ambition, and loyalty in a foreign land./n/nThis epic tale has been celebrated by figures like Barack Obama for its powerful storytelling and exploration of resilience and compassion. It's a story that delves deep into the human experience, offering a rich tapestry of historical events and personal struggles that will leave readers deeply moved.

Reviews
goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-09-23
mixed 3.50

Pachinko is praised for its rich character development and vivid portrayal of life in Korea under Japanese rule. However, some readers find the pacing uneven and the later sections less engaging than the beginning.

Pachinko is often lauded for its deep character development and the authentic depiction of life in Korea during Japanese occupation. The first third of the book is particularly strong, with well-drawn characters and a vivid sense of place. The political and cultural tensions are palpable, and the personal struggles of the characters are compelling. However, some readers feel that the pacing becomes uneven as the story progresses, and the later sections do not maintain the same level of engagement as the beginning. The novel's exploration of themes like sacrifice, loyalty, and ambition is appreciated, but the shift in narrative style can be jarring for some.

Quick quotes

    The first third of this book is nearly a 5 star perfection for character development, place reality, era feel, and boding wars of surround.

    Isak is a saint.

    His landlady and Sunja- they are sublime and so real

booksaremyfavouriteandbest.com · Unknown · 2025-09-23
engrossing 3.50

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee is an engrossing family saga that explores themes of shame at personal, cultural, and historical levels. The story, set around a Korean family in Japan, is compelling but the writing style is straightforward and unremarkable.

Pachinko tells the story of a Korean family navigating life in Japan, and it delves deeply into the concept of shame. The narrative is rich with historical context and personal struggles, making it a memorable read. However, the writing style is quite straightforward, lacking the literary flair that might elevate it further. The exploration of shame is nuanced, touching on personal and cultural aspects without being overt. It's a long read at 496 pages, but if you enjoy historical family sagas, it's worth your time. The characters' journeys are engaging, and the themes resonate deeply, making it a thought-provoking experience.

Quick quotes

    She had suffered to create a better life for Noa, and yet it was not enough. Should she have taught her son to suffer the humiliation that she’d drunk like water? …. Did mothers fail by not telling their sons that suffering would come?

    Although it begins with an ‘obvious’ shame — an unwed mother — Lee weaves wisps of shame into so many scenes — a hare lip; school lunches that are hidden because of the stink of kimchi; and a boy dropping letters from his name to conceal its Korean-ness.

    It’s a really good story. It’s a memorable story. The writing is straightforward.

Book Club Mom · 2024-08-25
fantastic 5.00

A fantastic family saga spanning eighty years and following three generations, the book is a must-read with its rich storytelling and emotional depth.

The reviewer is captivated by the book's expansive narrative, which follows three generations of a Korean family in Japan. They highlight the emotional depth and rich storytelling that make the book a compelling read. The reviewer also notes the historical context and the way it enriches the characters' experiences, making it a must-read for anyone interested in family sagas and historical fiction.

Quick quotes

    I don't know what took me so long to read this fantastic family saga, spanning eighty years and following three generations.

    The book is a must-read with its rich storytelling and emotional depth.

    The historical context enriches the characters' experiences.

snowwhitehatesapples.wordpress.com · Unknown · 2020-10-26
heartbreaking 4.50

Pachinko is a deeply moving and intricate historical family saga that explores themes of identity, alienation, and the struggles of Korean immigrants in Japan. The novel's personal and relatable narrative makes it powerful, though some characters could have been developed more fully.

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee is a heartbreaking and eye-opening book that delves into the lives of four generations of a Korean family in Japan. The novel is a profound exploration of identity, alienation, and the struggles of being an outsider. The story is deeply personal and relatable, making it resonate with readers who have experienced similar feelings of despair and displacement. The narrative is simple yet beautiful, capturing the essence of the characters and their experiences. However, some characters introduced later in the book could have been developed more to make the novel more balanced. The author's fair portrayal of characters, while unbiased, sometimes mutes the emotional impact. Overall, Pachinko is a powerful and moving read that will stay with you long after you finish it.

Quick quotes

    the pachinko can become so complex and deep — a metaphor for the lives of many who live like the steel balls bouncing around pins that may or may not have been tweaked and the players hoping for good luck although misfortune is more common than fortune.

    It makes Pachinko all the more powerful because although it’s as personal as it can get (considering it focuses on only one family and the people they come in contact with), it’s also as relatable as it can be for those who have gone through or felt the aftereffects of similar events.

    Everything considered, Pachinko is a heartbreaking and eye-opening book.

Appears in Lists