A Conversation with Min Jin Lee, Author of the Acclaimed Novel Pachinko
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Show Notes
Spanning nearly a century and multiple generations, Min Jin Lee's 2017 novel Pachinko tells the story of a Korean family struggling to find their place in Japan before, during, and after the Korean War. It is a story that touches on a myriad of themes, including identity, the role of women, war, and discrimination, all within a rich historical background.
Pachinko has been widely praised for its captivating storytelling, strong characters, and well-researched historical context, earning a place as one of the best books of 2017 on lists from major news outlets including The Chicago Tribune, NPR, CNN, and more. For this week's podcast, Korean Kontext host Jenna Gibson spoke with Min Jin Lee over the phone about why she started writing Pachinko, how the story evolved over time, and what she's working on next.