Review "Vivid ... thoughtful and empathetic ... necessary." --New York Times Book Review "Lisa See's mesmerizing new historical novel...celebrates women's strengths--and the strength of their friendships." --O, The Oprah Magazine "Painstakingly researched...deft...a powerful and essential story of humanity." --The Los Angeles Review of Books "Compelling ... takes readers on a journey spanning generations -- in this case 1938 to 2008 -- as moments of cherished friendship, unspeakable tragedy and, in the end, a plot twist worthy of Raymond Chandler unfold." --Associated Press "Lisa See is a New York Times bestselling author, a thorough researcher and a wonderful storyteller. In this novel, she seamlessly weaves history, tradition and culture into a heartfelt story about love and forgiveness. It's an unforgettable read." --Toronto Star "I fell in love with the writing of bestselling and award-winning author Lisa See more than 10 years ago ... This novel introduces readers to the unforgettable female divers of Jeju Island and the dramatic history that shaped their lives." --Winston-Salem Journal "The most intriguing parts of the book are those that describe the lives of the haenyeo ... See reveals how perilous the work can be: One diver is almost killed by an octopus, and another drowns because of an abalone. Yet the women love the sense of freedom, competence and strength they find in the water." --Tampa Bay Times "Fascinating ... Readers will witness the fortitude of these women to transcend tragedy and find forgiveness." --Christian Science Monitor, The Best Fiction Books of 2019 "In this bittersweet novel that spans more than 50 years, Lisa See tells the story of Mi-ja and Young-sook, two best friends who live in a kind of feminist utopia on a Korean island." --Marie Claire "For centuries on the Korean island of Jeju, Haenyeo women were trained to expand their lungs and go diving on the ocean floor to harvest seafood ... Mi-ja and Young-sook are best friends and Haenyeo divers, set to follow in their mothers' footsteps. But as they come of age during a tumultuous period in Korea's history, certain deep-rooted differences may tear them apart." --Refinery29, Best Books of March 2019 "This beautiful story follows Mi-ja and Young-sook, friends from very different backgrounds who are members of an all-female diving group in Korea. Really, though, the book is about the endurance of friendship when it's pushed to its limits, and you (+ your BFF, when you lend it to her) will love it." --Cosmopolitan, 15 Best Books of March 2019 "Compelling...[a] story of two best friends who come from very different families, and whose bond will be tested time and time again over the years." --LitHub.com, Most Anticipated Books of 2019 "A stupendous multigenerational family saga, See's latest also provides an enthralling cultural anthropology highlighting the soon-to-be-lost, matriarchal haenyeo phenomenon and an engrossing history of violently tumultuous twentieth-century Korea. A mesmerizing achievement. See's accomplishment, acclaim, and readership continue to rise with each book, and interest in this stellar novel will be well stoked." --Booklist, starred review "See perceptively depicts challenges faced by Koreans over the course of the 20th century, particularly homing in on the ways the haenyeo have struggled to maintain their way of life. Exposing the depths of human cruelty and resilience, See's lush tale is a wonderful ode to a truly singular group of women." --Publishers Weekly "On an island off the South Korean coast, an ancient guild of women divers reckons with the depredations of modernity from 1938 to 2008 in See's (The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, 2017, etc.) latest novel.... See did extensive research with primary sources to detail not only the haenyeo traditions, but the mass murders on Jeju beginning in 1948, which were covered up for decades by the South Korean government... It is a necessary book." --Kirkus Reviews "Lisa See excels at mining the intersection of family, friendship and history, and in her newest novel, she reaches new depths exploring the matrifocal haenyeo society in Korea, caught between tradition and modernization. This novel spans wars and generations, but at its heart is a beautifully rendered story of two women whose individual choices become inextricably tangled." --Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of A Spark of Light and Small Great Things "I was spellbound the moment I entered the vivid and little-known world of the diving women of Jeju. Set amid sweeping historical events, The Island of Sea Women is the extraordinary story of Young-sook and Mi-ja, of women's daring, heartbreak, strength, and forgiveness. No one writes about female friendship, the dark and the light of it, with more insight and depth than Lisa See." --Sue Monk Kidd, author of The Secret Life of Bees and The Invention of Wings "I loved The Island of Sea Women from the very first page. Lisa See has created an enthralling, compelling portrait of a unique culture and a turbulent time in history, but what's really remarkable about this novel is the characters--two women whose lifelong friendship is tested during impossibly difficult times. Compelling, heart-wrenching, and beautifully written, The Island of Sea Women will plunge you into a world and a story you've never read before and remind you how powerful women can and must be to survive." --Kristin Hannah, author of The Nightingale and The Great Alone About the Author Lisa See is the New York Times bestselling author of The Island of Sea Women, The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Peony in Love, Shanghai Girls, China Dolls, and Dreams of Joy, which debuted at #1. She is also the author of On Gold Mountain, which tells the story of her Chinese American family's settlement in Los Angeles. See was the recipient of the Golden Spike Award from the Chinese Historical Association of Southern California and the Historymaker's Award from the Chinese American Museum. She was also named National Woman of the Year by the Organization of Chinese American Women.
A**S
Astonishing
An absolutely amazing story, spanning decades & setting friends against beliefs & principles against foe. Told through the eyes of Young-sook, a member of the rare & distinctive ‘haenyo’ community, this is a tale of loss & courage. The author is to be commended on her detailed research of the era, especially of the atrocities that wiped out Korean communities, creating an eye-opening story that will stay with me forever.
S**S
An account of an enduring life-long relationship lost to self-inflicted punishment
This story was atmospheric due to its setting, the terror of the historical facts moving through each chapter alongside everyday occupancies in this part of the globe.It grabs your attention when you realise early on that this is a subject you must be more educated about.The emotions are palpable, whether a joyful account or one of fear destruction, and harboured hatred - the latter anchored inextricably to a senseless mass killing or could that have been the culmination of a much more innocuous threat from one friend to another?A well constructed novel of educational value. Makes me want to read all of this authors other titles.
H**S
brilliant account of a courageous community
well done lisa for having the courage to write this story. it reveals the cost of gentle people used and abused by invaders (both east and west) it also shows the appalling complacency of the americans (both military and governmental) to watch so many thousands of people slaughtered in such a horrific manner. i applaud you lisa. review by brenda adams
R**N
Must read book!
Very very good book! Read if you want to learn more about South Korea's history during Japanese and American colonisation, particularly in Jeju Island.
M**N
Fab book, a brilliant read.
This was a beautiful book! I took it on holiday and it was such a good read. It took me away in my imagination to the island with the women of the book. Absolutely loved it!!
N**K
Worth a read.
Love Lisa See and really enjoyed this book, so well researched.
L**Y
Amazing book
I’ve read a number of Lisa See’s books in the past so was excited to see that she has written a new novel. This story follows Young-Sook and Mi-Ja, two Haenyeo, Korean women who harvest the sea floor by free diving. I was familiar with real life Haenyeo stories beforehand and it was great to see a novel written about these fascinating women. The book is written from Young-Sook's perspective and follows her life as a young girl in the 1940s through to 2008. The book flashes back and forward through time to allow the mysteries of the past to unfold.The society on Jeju island, where the story takes place, is unusual in that women go out to do the difficult, often dangerous work and the men stay home to cook, clean and look after the children. Throughout the book we can see many instances of what we may see as typical ‘women’s work’ being undertaken by men and vice versa. One quote that particularly tickled me was “A woman is not meant for the household!” These are the realities of life on Jeju and it makes for fascinating and thought-provoking reading. All too often we are led to think that it is in a woman’s innate make-up to be best suited to looking after children whereas men are best suited to provide and work, and yet, here is a society where the opposite is true.The heart of the novel is Young-Sook and Mi-Ja's friendship and the trials and tribulations they experience throughout their lives. From the start they are drawn together despite their differences, Young-Sook is the daughter of the leader of the diving collective, Mi-Ja is the daughter of a Japanese collaborator. Young-Sook's mother extends the hand of kindness to Mi-Ja and becomes a mother figure to her. From then on Young-Sook and Mi-Ja are inseparable. The shadow of the Japanese occupation looms large and Mi-Ja, as the daughter of a collaborator, is an outcast until her friendship with Young-Sook brings her into the fold.The book covers the time period of World War 2 through to the Korean War and its aftermath. The horrors and inhumanity of war are explored in unflinching detail. The characters suffer through grief and loss and come to understand the difficulty of, but the need for, forgiveness.Motherhood is another key theme running through the story, the love between generations and the relationships between women are felt through the vivid cast of characters. The dynamic of a working mother and the sacrifices the Haenyeo women make to provide for their family is surprisingly similar to the experiences of working women today. “Every woman must leave her children to work, and every mother suffers, but we do it”. As a working mother herself who feels often feels guilty, this really resonated with me.The lure of the sea and its wonders are tangible throughout the novel. I love books about the sea, so I'm probably biased, but I really felt like I was under the waves with Young-Sook as she explored the underwater world and its treasures and dangers -the sea giveth and the sea taketh away. The customs and traditions of the Haenyeo women were also explored and tied into the lives of the characters.I really didn’t want this book to end and I devoured it in a day. See has created a memorable cast of characters that will stay with me for a long time. Considering the time period and events this book covers, it is not always an easy read, but it still remains a beautiful account of female friendship, love, loss and the enduring relationships between women.I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review
N**M
4.5 stars
Have you ever heard about the matriarchal society led by Haenyeo? No?! Well, me neither... until I read The Island of Sea Women. Haenyeo are female divers from the Korean island Jeju. Known for their independent spirit, strong will and bravery, the haenyeo are representative of the matriarchal society on Jeju. Society where having a daughter is a blessing because she and the mother can provide for the family while men stay at home and look after the children!I absolutely loved and was fascinated by the world of the fearless and determined Korean women diving in an ice-cold sea to feed their families. The story in the latest Lisa See novel follows the lifetime of Young-sook starting in 1938 when she is a little girl learning the diving skills among a Haeyono collective led by her mother. Reading the book was like reading a memoir and I was kind of expecting the author to say in the acknowledgement that the story is based on a real person's life. That's not the case but the story is very powerful and thought provoking nonetheless. What's real is the historical events incorporated in the story such as the atrocious massacre at Bukchon or division of Korea after the WWII.This is a stunning historical fiction novel that made me wonder what it would be like to live in a world with a matriarchal family structure, in a world ruled by women.A must read for 2019!Many thanks to the publisher for my review coy in exchange for an honest review.
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