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ambershelf 's review for:
The End of August
by Yu Miri
Thank you to Riverhead Books for the gifted ARC
In the 1930s, during Japanese occupation, Korean long-distance runner Lee Woo-cheol is a contender for the Tokyo Olympics. But he has to run under the Japanese flag. Under these oppressions, the Lee family has to find a way to survive the unimaginable.
END OF AUGUST covers similar background as PACHINKO (Min Jin Lee), focusing on the lives of one Korean family across generations under Japanese occupation. But compared to PACHINKO, the writing is more experimental, sometimes fragmented, and has a more slice-of-life style. As such, readers might take a while to get accustomed to Yū's storytelling.
The loss of name and nation is a focal point in END OF AUGUST. There are several chapters where the characters are referred to by their Japanese names instead of Korean ones without any notes. I wonder if this is to represent the fracture of an individual's identity. How do you pass on your legacy when one's nationality is stripped, forbidden to use their name, and prohibited from discussing family history?
I deeply resonated with this theme as Taiwan, too, experienced Japanese rule for 50 years and, even to this day, can't use "Taiwan" or its flag in any international organizations/competitions.
Losing your independence, nationality, name, and identity is like losing your anchor. What can you do except run away from that immense loss? Yū brilliantly weaves in themes of loss and grief through the characters' long-distance runs and explores running away from trauma vs. towards freedom.
I also adore the relationships between the Lee brothers and Yū's inclusion of the harrowing experiences of comfort women & girls. WW2 stories sometimes end as the war ends and the people are "liberated." But in the case of END OF AUGUST, Yū also covers the insurmountable challenges after Korean liberation.
For a book clocking at 700+ pages, the first two chapters are quite intimidating, as the readers are introduced to various characters and an almost stream-of-consciousness writing style. I wasn't sure where the story was going even halfway through the book. But I'm glad I stuck to the end, as I became invested in the story of the Lee brothers. There are A LOT of triggers in this book, so definitely check that before reading.
END OF AUGUST is a profound story of generational trauma and healing that moved me to tears but might not be for everyone. I recommend this book to those who have tried slimmer translated Japanese novels and enjoy the writing style and to those interested in learning more about Korean history.
In the 1930s, during Japanese occupation, Korean long-distance runner Lee Woo-cheol is a contender for the Tokyo Olympics. But he has to run under the Japanese flag. Under these oppressions, the Lee family has to find a way to survive the unimaginable.
END OF AUGUST covers similar background as PACHINKO (Min Jin Lee), focusing on the lives of one Korean family across generations under Japanese occupation. But compared to PACHINKO, the writing is more experimental, sometimes fragmented, and has a more slice-of-life style. As such, readers might take a while to get accustomed to Yū's storytelling.
The loss of name and nation is a focal point in END OF AUGUST. There are several chapters where the characters are referred to by their Japanese names instead of Korean ones without any notes. I wonder if this is to represent the fracture of an individual's identity. How do you pass on your legacy when one's nationality is stripped, forbidden to use their name, and prohibited from discussing family history?
I deeply resonated with this theme as Taiwan, too, experienced Japanese rule for 50 years and, even to this day, can't use "Taiwan" or its flag in any international organizations/competitions.
Losing your independence, nationality, name, and identity is like losing your anchor. What can you do except run away from that immense loss? Yū brilliantly weaves in themes of loss and grief through the characters' long-distance runs and explores running away from trauma vs. towards freedom.
I also adore the relationships between the Lee brothers and Yū's inclusion of the harrowing experiences of comfort women & girls. WW2 stories sometimes end as the war ends and the people are "liberated." But in the case of END OF AUGUST, Yū also covers the insurmountable challenges after Korean liberation.
For a book clocking at 700+ pages, the first two chapters are quite intimidating, as the readers are introduced to various characters and an almost stream-of-consciousness writing style. I wasn't sure where the story was going even halfway through the book. But I'm glad I stuck to the end, as I became invested in the story of the Lee brothers. There are A LOT of triggers in this book, so definitely check that before reading.
END OF AUGUST is a profound story of generational trauma and healing that moved me to tears but might not be for everyone. I recommend this book to those who have tried slimmer translated Japanese novels and enjoy the writing style and to those interested in learning more about Korean history.