Helen Kim (1)Besprekingen

This book gives a unique look into the lives of a Korean family, especially the relationships between adults and children in a patriarchal society.

Four daughters in mid-late 1960s in Korea. Second daughter Junehee's story of family life, parents' complex relationship thru her eyes. Orphaned poor boy comes to live with them and his presence opens up the father's infidelity, secret of lost twin premature boys, and mother's longing for a son and for happiness with her circumstance with philandering husband and domineering mother-in-law who lives with them. Well written, clean sharp details on daily home life in postwar Korea, including lots of food references and cultural nuances, subtly and also well explained to Occidental audience. Family order, confucian structure well drawn in scenes and in expressiveness.