dailyBooks - Pachinko--by Min Jin Lee | Conversation Starters

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Min Jin Lees

Pachinko

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Introducing Pachinko

P ACHINKO IS MIN JIN LEES SECOND NOVEL that tells about a family who lived in Japan during a little-known time in history. Her story begins with Sunja in the early 1900s in the small island of Yeongdo in Busan, Korea. Busan was then occupied by Japan. Sunja was then a gullible teenager who is the prized daughter of a poor family. Her father Hoonie was a good-hearted and simple fisherman. Sunjas mother Yangjin was a kind woman from a poor farming family. Sunjas father works hard inspite of his cleft palate and physical limitations. Sunja was their only child.

Sunja disobeys his loving father when she fell for a wealthy stranger who passed by her home by the sea. She was 16 years old. This wealthy older man named Hansu told her stories of the big world beyond the sea. Hansus mysterious and magnetic charm attracted young Sunja. He promised her that he will show her the world. Lured by his promises, Sunja fell in love with him. Soon she discovers she is pregnant with his child. Sunja rushed to tell her lover, only to find out that Hansu was married and has a family waiting for him in Japan. Heartbroken, she meets a young Christian minister. Isak was kind and gentle but weak and sickly. He was passing through Korea and he was heading for Osaka, Japan. He offered salvation for young Sunja when he asked her to marry him. The promise of marriage and a new life moved Sunja to abandon her family and her home. She rejected her childs wealthy father and took the hand of the sickly minister. Her decision became the beginning of four generations of a Korean immigrant family in Japan.

When Sunja and Isak landed in Osaka, they were met by Yoseb and his wife Kyunghee. They lived in Ikaino, a Korean ghetto in Osaka. Sunja had her first bitter taste of the outrageous racial discrimination against Koreans. Isak became the pastor of a local church in Osaka. He earned a pittance that couldnt sustain their lives. His brother Yosebs income was supporting the whole family. He was working at a local biscuit factory as a foreman and a mechanic.

Soon, Sunjas son with Hansu was born. Sunja named him Noa. Afterwards, she got pregnant with her second son, now with Isak. She named him Mozasu. During this time, the Second World War broke out and the status of Korean immigrants in Japan became even more unstable. Isak was arrested on insubstantial charges during a crackdown on immigrants. He was a missing person for more than two years. When Isak was finally released, he was a broken man. His weak body was deteriorating, damaged by tuberculosis and torture in prison. His body fails after a short time and died in Sunjas arms.

As Sunja grieves the death of her man Isak, she and Kyunghee strived to earn a living for their growing family. The two made homemade sweets and kimchi and sold them by a stall they set up in the market. Eventually, they were hired to cook in a restaurant. Yoseb was upset with their decision. The hardships on their family worsened as the war went on. Sunja was surprised when she saw a familiar man emerging towards her family. It was Hansu who wants to arrange for Sunja and her sons transfer to a farm in the countryside. Sunja found out that Hansu has been watching their family for years. He was concerned about his son Noa. Hansu encourages Yoseb, Kyunghee and Sunja to move their families just before the Allies bombed the cities in Japan.

After the war ended, their familys condition worsened. Her brother-in-law Yoseb had a serious accident and he got severe burns on his body. He was unable to work for their family. Their financial situation is dwindling but still she rejected every offer Hansu presented to her. To Hansus surprise, his son Noa turned out to be much like Isak. He was kind and gentle. He was upright and intelligent. Mozasu grew up quite different from his brother. The young man was worldly, carefree and magnetic.

Noa worked hard and studied well. Everything that he did paid off when he was given an opportunity to study English literature in Tokyo, at the esteemed Waseda University. Sunja was proud of her son but she knew she couldnt afford sending him there. Noas wealthy and powerful father Hansu steps in and finances his studies. Noa was unaware who he actually was in his life. Sunja had her misgivings and Yoseb opposed his nephews decision but to no avail.

Mozasu also becomes successful as a manager. He eventually owned pachinko parlours. He moved to Yokohama. As the story progresses, Noa found out that Hansu was his real father. He felt much shame and disgust. He was overwhelmed and did irrevocably wrong decisions.