The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See
(Format used for this read: Audiobook)
Two things I love in a book:
Historical fiction and stories about the bonds of female friendship.
I also REALLY FREAKING ADORE the author Lisa See.
This latest read of hers was phenomenal and had ALL THE THINGS I LOVE.
Here is a summary:
“Mi-ja and Young-sook, two girls living on the Korean island of Jeju, are best friends that come from very different backgrounds. When they are old enough, they begin working in the sea with their village’s all-female diving collective, led by Young-sook’s mother. As the girls take up their positions as baby divers, they know they are beginning a life of excitement and responsibility but also danger.
Despite their love for each other, Mi-ja and Young-sook’s differences are impossible to ignore. The Island of Sea Women is an epoch set over many decades, beginning during a period of Japanese colonialism in the 1930s and 1940s, followed by World War II, the Korean War and its aftermath, through the era of cell phones and wet suits for the women divers. Throughout this time, the residents of Jeju find themselves caught between warring empires. Mi-ja is the daughter of a Japanese collaborator, and she will forever be marked by this association. Young-sook was born into a long line of haenyeo and will inherit her mother’s position leading the divers in their village. Little do the two friends know that after surviving hundreds of dives and developing the closest of bonds, forces outside their control will push their friendship to the breaking point.
This beautiful, thoughtful novel illuminates a world turned upside down, one where the women are in charge, engaging in dangerous physical work, and the men take care of the children. A classic Lisa See story—one of women’s friendships and the larger forces that shape them— The Island of Sea Women introduces readers to the fierce and unforgettable female divers of Jeju Island and the dramatic history that shaped their lives.”
Reading about the haenyeo and the matriarchal society on Jeju was fascinating. The strength these women possess…physically AND emotionally…is astounding.
I immediately began Googling and looking at pictures and videos of this unique culture to learn more about them.
Books where I learn new things about history and different cultures is also something I love…so add that to the list of things that made this book a hit for me!
I admit that I do not know much about Korea and their history…it tore my heart in a million pieces to read about the atrocities that occurred during Japanese colonization and also the Korean War, which the author describes in detail.
The hardest thing to read about was the 4.3 incident and the horrendous events that took place during that time to innocent civilians.
I felt myself strongly lamenting and mourning not just these events but all the brutality and oppression described that the Korean people had to endure.
I made myself Google all the historical events described in the story so I could educate myself further.
But this book was not just historical fiction…it also was a book about the bonds of female friendship over a lifetime.
Lisa See has such a gift for describing in depth the complexities of female relationships…how it is both beautiful and tragic all at the same time.
I am always drawn to books about friendships because I have always absolutely cherished the girlfriends in my life. My close friends have always been like family…like sisters to me.
I cherish my friendships so so much and they have been the glue that has kept me together during some of my hardest times in life. I always feel sad when another female says she doesn’t trust other women and only has close friendships with males…I always think what a treasure she is missing out on because bonds between women are almost a magical thing.
This story has many layers to it and it was one I found myself completely immersed in. I highly recommend it…check out her other books too…they NEVER disappoint.