A few weeks ago, I found myself in Capitola between my son's soccer tournament matches. We wandered into the Capitola Book Cafe to wait out the break. While the boys manhandled the "Where's Waldo" books in the children's section, I stole a few minutes to explore the grown-up fiction aisles. I was looking for the sequel to my book club assignment, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo". (A longtime Sci-Fi fan, I'll read pretty much anything with "Dragon" in the title). Even though this was not sci-fi, I still enjoyed it.
I spied a book I had not heard of before--by a Korean! The Calligrapher's Daughter features a picture of a young woman in hanbok on the cover, and is written by Eugenia Kim. Having read and enjoyed Joy Luck Club, and Memoirs of a Geisha, I hoped this Korean story would be at least as enjoyable. Besides, even if I couldn't get the online store discount, I would be supporting an independent bookstore, and also a Korean "sistah".
I found the sequel I was looking for, and added The Calligrapher's Daughter to the pile. The boys also found some books they could not be parted from, and we checked out.
I have not finished the book yet, but I already want to tell you how much I am enjoying it! The writing is descriptive and evokes life during the Japanese occupation. I must admit my Korean history is very weak, and having been raised in white America, it is fun getting a fictional peek at what life might have been like a few generations back. I have read Pearl S. Buck's The Living Reed, which was also interesting. But this book is primarily from a woman's
I am also enjoying the kimchi flavor of the narrative. Instead of just nodding over similarities between Chinese or Japanese culture to what I've seen in Korea, I recognize ALL of it. I find myself wishing she would give the Korean words instead of the English description of food, clothing or custom. When Eugenia does provide the Korean word in phonetics, I try to figure out how that is spelled in hangul.
Here is a proposition for all of you. How would you like to join a virtual Book Club? I know I will be done with this book in the next 2 weeks, maybe sooner. Once I find a good book, I read it obsessively into the wee hours of the morning until I am done. My husband knows to leave me alone if I am within the last 150 pages of a book--better call for pizza, Mama ain't cookin'!
But, I can wait. I have some other books to read. Would you all be willing to join me back here for an online Book Club meeting in August? Will that give you enough time to find your own copy of the book and read it? How about Saturday, August 7th at about 10am PST? I'll post my thoughts on Kimchi Mamas Saturday morning, and you all can post your comments. If I can foist my children off on my husband, I'll respond to as many posts as I can through the day. It'll be fun! Comment below if you are IN.
Also, comment below if you know of other Korean fiction (for grownups) that you have read and enjoyed!
--Posted by Jomama
