The Island of Sea Women

Reviews

Debora

Everyone enjoyed the selection. I don’t recall we have ever read three books by the same author. The story details the culture and commerce of the Koreans who live on Jeju Island, namely the women who make up the collective of haenyeo, women divers who harvest undersea gardens of conch, seaweed, octopus, sea urchins, abalone and more. Themes of guilt and the question of forgiveness mark the pages as deeply as they mark the ethos of Young-Sook and her friend, Mi-Ja, until the reader grapples with the questions herself and tries to place herself in each woman’s shoes, walking down their paths.

J.R. Daly

Highly recommended To say that we all enjoyed the book would be an understatement. Lisa presents a rich history of Korea before, during and after the Korean War teaching us in 350 pages more than we ever learned in a World History class. My book club chose The Island of Sea Women for our June selection.