By Lisa See
Scribner, 2019, 365 pg., Historical Fiction
"No one picks a friend for us; we come together by choice, We are not tied together through ceremony or the responsibility to create a son.; we tie ourselves together through moments. The spark when we first meet. Laughter and tears shared. Secrets packed away to treasured, hoarded, and protected. The wonder that someone can be so different from you and yet still understand your heart in a way no one else ever will." (pg. 36)
See's story of Young-sook and Mi-ja is a masterpiece. It follows the lives to two girls as they grow up and become women. They are tied together by their love of the sea, but are torn apart by war. They face unbelievable choices and heart-ache, but ultimately their friendship survives through their shared memories, their love, and the sea.
I have been a fan of Lisa See's book for sometime. She invests so much research into each of her books, and then crafts emotional stories of women's lives, love, friendship, and tragedy. Typically her stories revolve around Chinese history, but this new book takes place on a small Korean island called Jeju and the fading historical tradition of the haenyeo. The characters are so life like readers will find themselves growing attached to them. Fans of Lisa See's other books such as The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane or Snow Flower and the Secret Fan will enjoy this new book, as will fans of Kristen Hannah's The Nightingale.
Readers should be advised that this book contains violence, swearing, and adult sexual content.
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