I went into this book expecting it to be more focused on the girls’ friendship than it ended up being. While it gave the story structure and grounding, I learned so much than I expected to about the Japanese occupation, the use of Jeju as a military stepping stone, and the devastating fall-out of the dividing of Korea by foreign powers. Lisa See is a masterful researcher and her recounting of the atrocities faced by the residents of the island were heart-wrenching.

I was particularly intrigued by Young-sook’s other relationships (besides Mi-ja), such as with her husband, mother-in-law, and diving collective. To be honest, I thought her depth of commitment to them was better developed than her bond with Mi-ja. That said, the relational tension and pain is painted powerfully, and by the book’s end, I felt achy with the heaviness of their lives. In that way, the story was remarkably immersive.