White Mulberry: one woman's determination to survive despite the racial tensions

White Mulberry by Rosa Kwon Easton is a moving story of a woman who lives between two worlds in order to survive. In 1928, Japanese-occupied Korea, eleven year old Miyoung has big dreams. When she is presented with the chance to pursue those dreams; however, she must leave her mother behind and live with her older sister and her husband in Japan. Knowing that Koreans are treated well in Japan, she must leave her name and culture behind. Once in Japan, she takes a new name and finds a new calling in nursing and finding solace in a local Korean church. What she never expects is to fall in love and find new purpose in her husband and their son. As war looms, she feels the racial tensions more than ever. Miyoung is faced with a choice: does she stay in Japan or does she find her chance to leave and provide a future for her and her family? 

White Mulberry was an Amazon First Reads choice for November. I loved the beautiful cover and was intrigued by the story as I have done a lot of research about Korea. I haven’t seen many historical books written from a Korean perspective. From the opening chapter to the closing author’s notes, I was deeply moved by Miyoung’s story. White Mulberry was inspired by the author’s Korean grandmother’s story which I love. I loved Miyoung as she struggles to hold on to her Korean identity and yet discovers a way to survive within the strict racial rules that the Japanese culture had put into place. I loved her resilience and determination to prove those against her wrong. It is a beautiful story about one woman, being caught between two worlds, who suffered the trauma of occupation, racism and displacement and yet still had the sheer determination to survive and reclaim her name and culture. I highly, highly recommend White Mulberry. 

White Mulberry will be available in paperback, eBook and audiobook 

on December 1, 2024

Obachan: the story of one woman's struggles to chase her dreams

Obachan: A Young Girl’s Struggles for Freedom in Twentieth-Century Japan by Tani Hanes is the story of her maternal grandmother, Mitsuko Hanamura. Born in 1916 in rural Japan, as the oldest girl of eight children and no money, she wanted very little in life. Just a place to call her own with a garden with lots of flowers and shelves full of books. A place where she could be alone, no need to share a bed, meal or clothes, with anyone. The only thing she could depend on was her clever brain and her determined spirit. She held her head high as she was sent to live with relatives at 13, hired out as a maid at 15 to pay off the family debt. She was desperate for an education, when she found a way to educate herself and leave the poverty behind. With so much against her, will Mitsuko find a way to break free and achieve her dreams? 

From the very beginning I was drawn to Mitsuko’s story. From the countryside of Japan to war-torn Kawasaki, Ms. Hanes chronicles her grandmother’s journey as she fights for her dreams. Bound by the social expectations, Mitsuko secretly plots and searches for ways to escape to the life she has always dreamed of. Called ungrateful and selfish by her parents, Mitsuko’s spirit could have been beaten and broken by her lack of control over her very life. But she refused to give up. She would bide her time and wait until the moment is right to break free. And every time there was a roadblock to her plan, she would plan again. Nothing was going to stand in her way of achieving her dreams. I eagerly read as I wanted to learn if Mitsuko achieved her dreams.  I loved her determination and tenacity and I loved that Ms. Hani included family pictures as she retells her grandmother’s story. I highly recommend Obachan. 

Obachan: A Young Girl’s Struggle for Freedom in Twentieth-Century Japan

Is available in paperback and eBook 

The Great Passage: a beautiful story of words, language and our lives

The Great Passage by Shion Miura is a beautiful story of words, language, and their meanings in our lives. Kohei Araki is an editor of dictionaries or a prominent Japanese publishing house. Along with his mentor, Professor Matsumoto, Araki dreams of creating an inclusive dictionary of the Japanese language. He hires Mitsuya Majime, a studious young man who is focused on accuracy and perfection. Joining the small crew, Majime is now tasked with a career-defining goal: the complete The Great Passage, the comprehensive 2,900-page dictionary of the Japanese language. Meanwhile, in his personal life, Majime discovers friendships, romance and a great dedication to the words that connect us all. Will Majime be able to hurdle the obstacles in his way to achieve the goal? Will The Great Passage ever be published?

The Great Passage is both a hard read and a beautiful lyrical flow of language. The story and interaction between the characters was my favorite part. As the suave, self-assured Nishioka becomes a reluctant friend of Majime’s, and is surprised at the quiet, awkward Majime succeeds where he fails. The sweet and simple romance between Majime and his wife. The characters are what made me stay with the story. However, it is a difficult read as the technical information of the work that goes into making a dictionary slowed down the story. I do recommend The Great Passage as it is a beautiful story and a glimpse of life in Japan and her people.

 

The Great Passage is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook