Pachinko

Min Jin Lee

Overview

Beginning in 1910, a teenage fisherman’s daughter marries a sickly pastor and travels from occupied Korea to Osaka. Decades unfold as her descendants—marked as outsiders—grapple with poverty, discrimination and the promise of a better life. The narrative threads through the Japanese annexation, wartime scarcity and post-boom capitalism, showing how one family’s choices echo through four generations.

Who it's for

• Readers who enjoy sweeping historical fiction with intimate family portraits
• Those curious about Korean diaspora experiences in Japan
• Book clubs seeking layered themes of identity, resilience and belonging

Key features

• Language: English
• Format: trade paperback
• Standalone literary saga