Historical Fiction: Beasts of a Little Land by Juhea Kim

Any novel that attempts to have many interlocking storylines and points of view always piques my interest. This was certainly the case with Beasts of a Little Land by Juhea Kim. Set during Korea's fight for independence and the struggles of World War II, the book follows the stories and fates of a handful of characters, each with their own goals, and ideas of how the world should be.

The Situation: It is 1917, and a poor hunter is saved from death by the very people who are oppressing his country. But a gift from one of the Japanese hunters will set the hunter's son on a course that none of them could have forseen. In another part of the country, a young girl is sold by her family to a courtesan school, and Jade almost surprises herself by being willing to go. While she takes to the lessons, and even finds a friend in Lotus, the owners impetuous and somewhat incorrigible daughter, times are difficult, and one event finds her being moved to another school. It is here that Jade will meet JungHo, and the two of them will continue to cross paths over the next few decades, even as struggles and war happen around them.

The Problem: As Jade grows into a great beauty, eventually carving out a wonderful career for herself, JungHo does everything he can to become worthy of her love. But their country is fighting for its independence from Japan, and the struggle is a difficult one. JungHo agrees to assist a wealthy advocate for the revolution, while Jade attaches herself to a young rickshaw driver, while also avoiding the intense attentions of a Japanese soldier. When war breaks out outside of the countries borders, things go from difficult to dire, and not everyone will make it to the other side alive. JungHo continues to have one focus, and that is the earn Jade's affection, but even that is proving to be a fight that may cost him everything. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel set in Korea between the years 1917-1965. At the start, the country is in a struggle for independence from Japan. By the end, its resources have been used to aid the Japanese in their attempt to take over China, as well as in the fighting during WWII. This is the backdrop to the interweaving stories of Jade and JungHo, as well as a myriad of other characters. Across four parts, each chapter contains its own sections that often switch between the different characters, often revealing secrets and ambitions that others know nothing about. Despite the character's issues and problems, there is a sense of everything being controlled by fate, as well as the idea that everyone is where they are, at any moment of time, for a specific reason. 

My Verdict: I know I have pointed this out many times before, but creating a story that is told by many different characters as their lives intersect with each other is no easy task, so I always admire anyone who manages to pull it off. Kim has written such a story, and placed it during a time of extreme hardship and difficulty. And the characters are not flat, not even the more minor ones. It was difficult for me to not become invested in the fate of each person, even the ones I did not care for or like. I wanted to know what happened to each of them, and what their fate meant for the more central characters, since even the smallest instance seemed to have an effect on someone's future. It is a carefully crafted story that most any historical fiction lover will enjoy.

Favorite Moment: *spoiler alert* Luna is Lotus' older sister, and has been dealt a difficult fate. Though she mostly keeps to herself, she secures the future she had hoped for her young daughter. 

Favorite Character: Jade is not perfect, but she makes her own decisions and chooses her own way, no matter what other people may believe she should do (which would often mostly benefit them, and not her). 

Recommended Reading: Though not a historical fiction novel, I recommend Star of the North by D.B. John, which takes place partly in North Korea. 

Door Stop: Villette by Charlotte Bronte

There are various book lists all over the internet for all kinds of categories, and I have a love/hate relationship with them. The thing is, a topic like "The 50 Best Books About Dogs" is subjective, and it is inevitable that your favorite dog book(s) will either not be, in your opinion, ranked high enough, or, horror of horrors, not listed at all. Still, I found myself consulting a list titled "50 Books that are 500 Pages or Longer that Readers Have Forgotten About," or something like that, and I was indeed reminded of today's selection, Villette by Charlotte Bronte.

The Situation: While staying with her godmother, Lucy Snowe is introduced to the young son of the house, Graham, as well as a little girl named Polly. Lucy observes how Polly adores Graham, who does shower her with affection, but everything is brought to a halt when Polly is retrieved by her father and they move abroad. Years later, Lucy is in her early 20s and with no family, connections, or means of taking care of herself, so she becomes a teacher in Villette at a boarding school for girls. Despite not knowing the language, as well as often being by herself, Lucy does well. She faces down haughty students, obstinate fellow teachers, and even an employer who insists on going through her things at every opportunity.

The Problem: While Lucy prefers to keep to herself and not draw much attention, people still manage to come to her, though this often results in opportunities to advance her place at the school, as well as widen her social circle. And when a handsome young doctor is summoned to the school to take care of a sick student, Lucy is surprised to find both a new friend and an old acquaintance. She insists on remaining emotionally reserved, but she cares greatly for the doctor, and wonders if he reciprocates her feelings. Her reserved nature also does not escape the notice of a fellow teacher, who takes every opportunity to critique her harshly and insist the only way for things to be done is his way. During her time at the school, the reserved and solitary Lucy will grow as a teacher and a person, and use her skills in observation to triumph over trials and other people.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a classic fiction book originally published in 1853, and was published after the more well known Jane Eyre. It is often said that Villette is Bronte's most autobiographical work, with certain characters directly representing people in her life. The character of Lucy Snowe is smart, hard-working, reserved, and a bit shy. Because she is also plain, with no physical characteristics to recommend her, she is often overlooked, something that does not escape her notice. The family tragedy that causes her to leave England is never specified, and Villette is a fictional town, set in Belgium, and modeled after Brussels. If there is one main theme, it would be Lucy's growth as a person and her ability to rely on no one but herself.

My Verdict: On the whole, there are large portions of this book where not a lot is happening. Lucy is a competent enough teacher, enjoying a quiet and somewhat lonely existence in a foreign city. There are moments when a character is introduced (or reintroduced), or some event takes place, or there is the occasional plot twist. It is only after getting over halfway through the book that things begin to come together, and that all of the details provided in the first half begin to lead to anything that can be referred to as adventure or drama. Basically, it's slog, but most lovers of Bronte will be ready for that, and some will even welcome the journey. I have mixed feelings about it, and the ending did not leave me feeling justified with how much time and effort the book required to get there. 

Favorite Moment: Lucy's uppity friend Ginevra is vain, shallow, and only happy if all male attention is on her. On one particular evening, a new arrival takes some of that attention, much to Lucy's pleasure.

Favorite Character: Mrs. Bretton is Lucy's godmother and Graham's mother. She has been widowed for quite some time, but remains resolute, healthy, and stalwart throughout the entire novel. She is one of the few people in the book who is willing to be harsh with her son.

Recommended Reading: I have yet to cover Jane Eyre on this blog, but it is the more well-known Charlotte Bronte novel for a reason. 

Young Adult Fiction: I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys

There are many books on my bookshelves that I would hold up as examples as to why I love purchasing physical print copies of novels, and I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys has been added to that group. Sure, there is cover art, the sound of turning pages, and even that wonderful book smell. But there is also the feel of the pages and cover, the font, and even the weight of the book in my hands. But I digress...today's selection is the latest young adult historical fiction from Sepetys, who always provides a thrilling story that is both engaging and educational.

The Situation: Seventeen year-old Cristian Florescu is doing his best, but life is hard in late 1980s Romania. When he is not in school, he can often be seen waiting in line for food like many others, though often he ends up with very little to show for his time standing in the bitter cold. The five members of his family - him, his older sister, his mother, his father, and his grandfather - all share a tiny apartment, where the electricity can be cut off at any moment, the heat is non-existent, and Cristian's room is actually a closet. But quite possibly the worst thing about his home is how certain he is that the government can see and hear everything he does. And this is not only true for the apartment. No matter where Cristian is at any moment, he must be careful about what he says and what he does, as well as who he interacts with.

The Problem: When an agent summons Cristian to the school office, his life becomes much more complicated, and dangerous. It seems that someone close to him has informed on him, and the agent has an assignment: go to the apartment of the American diplomat that his mother cleans for and provide information on him, his family, and the layout of the apartment. The stress of becoming an informer is bad enough, but knowing that someone close to him betrayed him is even worse. It truly could have been anyone, and now he must do that same thing. However, Cristian knows there is another option, one that involves joining a fight against the tyranny, and hopefully letting the world see what is really going on in Romania. He knows risking such actions may cost him everything, but at this point, does he really have much to lose?

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel set in Romania in 1989. The country's leader, Nicolae Ceausescu, holds a power over his people that keeps them in constant fear. Not only are they afraid of authorities, but they are afraid of their own neighbors, co-workers, and even family members. The dictator has managed to turn the Romanian people against each other. This is what happens to the main character of the story, 17 year-old Cristian, who makes it clear that anyone, even a member of his own family, could be spying on him. And although Cristian is recruited as an informer, he still listens to his grandfather, who is incredibly vocal on his thoughts about the Romania government, and keeps the family radio illegally-tuned to Radio Free Europe. Fear and suspicion may be a way of life, but so is a desire for freedom and justice.

My Verdict: What drew me to Septeys' writing years ago when I first read Between Shades of Gray was her storytelling, and the unique perspective she provides of historical events. This time, she takes on a subject that many in the U.S. know little about. In fact, in the author's note, she admits that her own ignorance led her to begin researching this difficult period of history for the country of Romania. If her aim is to inspire curiosity and a desire to learn more, I am certain she has succeeded, using Cristian's story as a compelling fictionalized introduction into the subject. The suspicion and fear is heavy and ever-present, as is the feeling that as careful as Cristian thinks he is, his actions are still putting him in danger. The pacing is perfect, and the tension is masterfully built. Not only will young historical fiction readers enjoy this book, but adults will also find it engaging and fascinating.

Favorite Moment: Part of Cristian's assignment is to accompany the diplomat's son to the American library. I enjoyed seeing the American library through Cristian's eyes, since not only is he not used to seeing American publications, but it is actually illegal for him to read or possess them.

Favorite Character: Cristian is a solid young man who longs for freedom. Some of his decisions are foolish and short-sighted, but he is courageous, and smart, and an insightful writer. 

Recommended Reading: I recommend Between Shades of Gray, as well as Sepetys' previous novel, The Fountains of Silence. This book also often reminded me of George Orwell's 1984 with its themes of surveillance and control. 

Classic Fiction: South of the Border, West of the Sun by Haruki Murakami

As has become an early-in-the-year tradition for me, I am covering a novel by Japanese writer Haruki Murakami, and this time it is South of the Border, West of the Sun. It is shorter than many of the author's other more well-known works, but it contains that same element of mystery and wandering.

The Situation: Hajime was born on January 4, 1951, and he makes note that the date is in the first week of the first month of the first year of the second half of the 20th century. He also mentions that he was an only child, which was somewhat of an anomaly when he was growing up, as well as something that made him incredibly insecure. He hated the assumptions that only children were spoiled and selfish, mostly because he knew that he was in fact spoiled and self-centered. When he finds a friend in another only child, named Shimamoto, things begin to look up for Hajime. Unfortunately, the two lose touch when his family moves, and his life more or less continues in the usual way. High school, college, a few girlfriends, marriage, kids, and a couple of successful businesses...Hajime has no reason to complain about the life he has built.

The Problem: One evening, while working on one of the two bars Hajime successfully runs and owns, a beautiful woman enters and drinks alone. Only after she moves to take a seat across from him does he learn that it is Shimamoto, and her appearance completely upends his entire existence. Or rather, it confirms what he has felt for a long time: Something has been missing in his life, making him feel incomplete, despite the fact that he loves his wife and kids, and is incredibly successful. And although her existence in his life is sporadic, as Shimamoto keeps disappearing and reappearing, she is all he can think about, and the beautiful and stable life Hajime has lived is about to fall apart, and he is okay with that.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a short fiction novel that takes place mostly in the mid-20th century, covering Hajime's life up until 1988, when he would be 37 years old. Like many of Murakami's protagonist, Hajime is hapless and aimless, mostly plagued by a constant 'What If?" For those of you who love to play Murakami Bingo, you would be able to daub the spaces for mysterious woman, something vanishing, an old jazz record, urban ennui, Tokyo at night, and even a faceless villain...of sorts. The book contains that same atmosphere of mystery that fans of his novels have come to expect, though there does not appear to be any supernatural powers involved. But there are many unanswered questions.

My Verdict: What I like about this book is that it is fairly clear and straightforward. Yes, there is a good amount of mystery and a lot of questions I still need answered, but I have often gotten lost in Murakami's books and never found my way out. However, in getting lost, I was still able to enjoy the ride, and I did not enjoy this journey as much. Part of that could be due to Hajime as the main character. He resembles many of Murakami's primary male characters in that he is lost, full of questions, and not quite happy with where his life has brought him. But his journey for fulfillment has the potential to hurt his wife and kids. He admits to be selfish and self-centered, but admitting that out loud does not mean a person is free to continue acting that way. And while I am used to loose ends in Murakami novels, the ones left at the end of this book feel like oversights, rather than strategic.

Favorite Moment: While at one of his bars, Hajime hears about an old girlfriend whom he hurt terribly and where she is now. The story is enough to make him curious, and remorseful. 

Favorite Character: Hajime's wife, Yukiko, is dutiful and steadfast. She also is not stupid, and knows something is going on with her husband, no matter how he tries to hide it.

Recommended Reading: I usually recommend 1Q84 or A Wild Sheep Chase when I recommend Murakami novels. I will also go ahead and recommend Norwegian Wood.