Which also means that officially my second favourite genre has somehow become historical fiction which was never my strong suit before. I think this just shows how brilliant these authors are. Writing a good book is one thing but luring, bringing people into circles that they usually don’t prefer or like to be is another level of craftsmanship. That’s Baldur’s Gate 3 type of achievement. If you are into gaming. 

The Island of Sea Women is a historical fiction novel, which follows the life and fate of two haenyeo’s Young-Sook and Mi-ja who were born not long before the Second World War in Jeju-do, the biggest island of South Korea. Young-Sook was born to be a haenyeo, a female diver just like her mother, who followed the traditional way to naturally harvest the sea by free diving. Like all the other women before her on the island. Mi-ja was an orphan who got accepted and eventually cared for and loved by Young-Sook’s mother, and the whole collective. We follow their friendship, their sorrow; their anger and resilience through the upcoming years which historically marked not just the Second World War with the Japanese occupation, but the division of North and South Korea, and the April Third incident. 

Women in context

I honestly think I have never ever read a book that represented women and their strength with such precision, love and dedication. And the best part of it was that the feeling that made me want to carve my heart out of my chest, and led me to sob like a child who needs her mother (I do) was not fiction at all. Precisely this delicate balance of presenting the haenyeos life with just as much fiction that highlights their attributes, instead of suppressing it, is what made me fall in love completely with Lisa See’s work.
When I read books like this I am so grateful for being a reader and to even be alive to be able to experience art and life in this manner.I truly believe that I have learnt more about myself, my mother, and my best friend than ever before, and this knowledge comes from the generations of women before me who survived and thrived through hardships, struggles and pain. It was always there. I just never knew how to listen to it. 

Structure & Emotions

As for the novel, it is not just well-researched it felt like it was studied, and meticulously put together piece by piece with love and care which made the whole book not just factually correct and interesting, but also gives the reader enthusiasm and curiosity for further exploration of the world of haenyeos. Above anything else, it was also a work of fiction, and as such it had character developments, conflicts, and story line which although jumped from one timeline to another it was done linearly enough for me to be able to follow. (I usually struggle with books like that). 

What turned this book from a good one to one that I can’t live without is the way Lisa See could convey and transport emotions through her words. The narrative is humble but honest; you never feel like something is poised or pushed down your throat. It’s an absolute organic experience similar to eating your favourite snack or watching your favourite tv-show. It’s just perfect. It doesn’t think instead of the reader but at the same time it gives enough for the wheels to be able to turn. I literally can’t come up with one negative aspect that I didn’t like or appreciate while reading it. And this doesn’t happen often. If you find yourself in the mood of reading something significant, that might stay with you for a while. I wholeheartedly recommend this one. And to anyone who loves historical fiction, The island of sea Women is a must read. 

K-drama that goes well with the book…

If you like watching k-drama I have something that goes perfectly along with this book. The drama is called Our Blues and it was the only light I saw when I was spiraling last year around exam time. To put a disclaimer for both the book and the drama It is an emotional one, but it is really worth it when you need to watch something that is not just for the sake of simple entertainment. Which by the way can be also beneficial when your body and soul needs it.