Book
Pachinko

Average Bufph Rating: 5.0 / 5.0

Pachinko

Min Jin Lee

2017-02-23

Busan, Korea 1911: A club-footed, cleft-lipped man marries a fifteen-year-old beauty. The couple have one child, their beloved daughter Sunja. When Sunja falls pregnant by a married yakuza, the family face ruin. But then Isak, a Christian minister, offers her a chance of salvation: a new life in Japan as his wife.

Following a man she barely knows to a hostile country in which she has no friends, no home, and whose language she cannot speak, Sunja’s salvation is just the beginning of her story. Through eight decades and four generations, Pachinko is an epic tale of family, identity, love, death and survival.

Reviews by public Bufph profiles
  • anna.sharma profile picture
    anna.sharma
    February 23, 2026

    Min Jin Lee's Pachinko is a sweeping saga that spans generations, exploring the lives of a Korean family living in Japan. The story is rich with historical context and cultural insight, providing a fresh perspective on themes of identity, belonging, and resilience. Lee's writing is powerful and evocative, drawing readers into the heart of the narrative. It's a compelling read that challenges my usual preferences and expands my understanding of different cultures and histories.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play