Pachinko

Very enjoyable. It's a big family saga, spanning decades, starting with a tiny fishing village in Korea and ending up in the financial markets of late 80s Tokyo. We follow several generations of a family as they suffer under the Japanese occupation of Korea, move to Japan in time for World War Two and then the turbulent post war years. There's a lot of sadness and grim outcomes over the course of the novel, but the thing I remember most is the acts of kindness throughout. The plot hinges on a remarkable act of sacrifice, and there is a sense of, I don't know...decency? throughout. It's a very pleasing book, and one I was sorry to finish.