Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
The novel is a sweeping historical saga that follows four generations of a Korean family from the early 20th century to the 1980s, beginning in Japanese-occupied Korea and moving to Japan. It explores the family's struggles and triumphs against the backdrop of cultural and social discrimination. The game of Pachinko, a popular Japanese arcade game, serves as a metaphor for the randomness and challenges of life that the characters face, particularly in the context of their immigrant status and the enduring quest for identity, acceptance, and success in a foreign land. Through the family's experiences, the narrative delves into themes of love, sacrifice, ambition, and loyalty, painting a vivid portrait of an often invisible segment of Japanese society.
The 1204th greatest book of all time
- Published
- 2017
- Nationality
- American
- Length
- Moderate
- Pages
- 400-500
- Original Language
- English
- Avg User Rating
-
(4.2)
- Alternate Titles
-
- Ein Einfaches Leben
- Pachinko Target Club Pick
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This book is on the following 17 lists:
- 5th on Readers Pick Their 100 Best Books of the 21st Century (NY Times)
- 6th on The Best Books of the 21st Century (Aladin.co.kr)
- 13th on 100 Best Books of the 21st Century (Book Enthusiast Substack)
- 15th on 100 Best Books of the 21st Century (NY Times)
- 21st on The 30 best fiction books of the last 30 years (Los Angeles Times)
- 33rd on Australia’s Radio National top 100 books of the 21st century (ABC Radio national)
- 46th on Truelit's 100 Best Books of the Quarter Century (/r/truelit)
- 97th on America’s 100 Favorite Books (WordsRated)
- 402nd on Our Users' Honorable Mention Favorite Books of All Time (The Greatest Books Users)
- 222 Best Books of All Time That Deserve a Spot on Your Bookshelf, With Picks from Bestselling Authors and Indie Booksellers (Parade)
- An Updated Canon: 72 Books Every Man Should Read (InsideHook)
- Best Beach Reads Of All Time (Book Riot)
- Best Fiction Books of the 21st Century (So Far) (Kirkus Reviews)
- People Are Sharing The One Book That Has Stood Out To Them In All Their Years Of Reading (Buzzfeed)
- The 100 Best Novels Of All Time (Runners-Up) (The Guardian)
- The 10 Best Books Through Time (New York Times)
- Top 100 Books of the 21st-Century (This House of Books)