The Mermaid from Jeju

Wasn't sure at first but as I read I couldn't stop. I'm not good at reviews and don't want to give spoilers but this wasn't what I was expecting to read. But I will read this book again. I highly recommend that you read this book.Author is brilliant. Really glad I bought it. Want to look at authors other works.

Finishing this book has made me quantify what a five star read for me actually is; it is one that takes my heart and keeps a small part of it, one that promotes a physical response and one that does not leave me - sometimes ever.This book is as breathtaking as it is heart wrenching; beautiful as it is tragic.It is a story of what love really means. Set in post WWII Korea and inspired by true events, it follows Goh Junja, a haenyeo, a deep sea diver as she enters womanhood. Told in two timelines and from the perspective of Junja and her husband Dr. Moon, Sumi Hahn's prose is exquisite, lyrical and utterly beguiling. It had me believing in the magic of the sea god, the importance of dreams and the visions of spirits. All told against the more than real backdrop of a painful and hideous part of history, Sumi weaves her tale effortlessly and leaves you wondering about the world around you.... about our history, our beliefs, our cultures, but above all; what it is to be human...Published on 8 December 2020, I highly recommend it. Thanks to #netgalley and #alcovepress for granting me this ARC and thank you #sumihahn for writing such a beautiful book #themermaidfromjeju has to be one of my best 2020 reads.

This book was incredibly readable and amazingly insightful about the political chaos in South Korea during the American occupation. The difficulties that people experienced just staying alive were extreme. I read a lot and have a special interest in Asia, but the tragic events that were inflicted by the US allied Nationalists were unknown to me before reading this book. The book explores a period of tragedy but is still a compelling novel and not a preachy political platform. The book also invites the reader into the traditional cultural milieu of the post-Japanese occupation. I really loved this book. Kudos to the author. What a great story.

I don’t generally read historical fiction. But this was a treat. I’ve never enjoyed learning so much about a culture AND history while being mesmerized by a story. I rated this four stars because some of the back and forth between the multiple timelines and POVs got a little confusing and frustrating. However the story was magical so don’t let that deter you.

Ms. Hahn brings the historical events of the time right before the Korean war to life as seen from the prospective of a young woman ocean diver (job to support her family) who falls in love. The imagery is so real. I love the descriptions of Korean culture, the food, the people and the strength of the Haenyeo divers. The characters are vivid and the plot captivating and alive.Without giving too much away, you experience first hand the respectfulness infused in the Korean culture, the palpable suffering and cruelty of war, the absolute necessity of escape, and then the immigrant story of how parents try to almost forget their culture and past anguish to help their children assimilate/fit-in to their new culture.The book reminds you of life, death, and the reunited life beyond death. It is perfect. There is so much to learn and think about while reading this book! I hope you love it as much as I do!

I just finished reading a delightful book by a new author. It was a compelling piece of literature in the way it was written. There were two sections, but the book easily flowed from one section into the second one following a flawless story lead from one time period into another.>> I had read a similar story much earlier which did not have this easy flow. The characters were similar but not as well developed as in the book I just finished reading. This is a well written book with strong characters, well developed sub stories, all of which easily relate to the main plot of the book. the well-defined settings during the trip to the mountain for a pig and the developing romance on the return were subtle, making it clear to the reader what was happening and yet, leaving him/her to further develop the exchange of feelings between the two characters.>> I liked how the book explained the purpose of the shaman and the very interesting and strong relation of the shaman’s activities to the story itself. And, at the end the brief reference to the escape from the North ties in nicely with the American troops being present.

I bought this book for my 17hr flight. Very excited to read it but was disappointed when the book arrived already water marked. I'm leaving so I can't return it.