Review of The Vanished

[Jeffrey S Brown]

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Vanished" by Pejay Bradley.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Losing one’s country and culture is complex and traumatizing. The political policies change, behaviors and beliefs are banned, and there is no recourse. Pejay Bradley presents a compelling narrative in this novel The Vanished, set during a tumultuous period in Korea, following the loss of Korean sovereignty under the terms of the Annexation Treaty of 1910, which Japan imposed. The Koreans chafe under Japanese rule. The niece of King Gojong, Lady Sougyan, the daughter of Prince Aansoon, is left with a newborn son and an absent, irresponsible, and financially unstable husband. She relies on money from her father to support her family and is a dutiful, confident, and angry person. As royalty, she cannot get a divorce lest she shame the entire family, nor can she ignore the maintenance of royal traditions.

She raises her son, Embon, under these conditions but encourages him to form his own opinions. He does. He heads off to university, where his political views shift, leading to radical actions that impact Embon’s relationships, health, and overall well-being.

The loss of 5,000 years of history is devastating to cherished traditions. However, the class system, with its understanding of one’s societal place, is one tradition that remains unchanged. Appearances and lineages are everything, imposing strict rules affecting livelihoods, relationships, and ceremonial observances. The Vanished is both engaging and educational, opening a window to the end of the Age of Empires and showing the mindset of that time. Changes in machinery and equipment, as well as what constitutes freedom, and forward thinking, provide tension and drama. Politics, society, and duty combine to challenge courage, loyalty, and family. The multi-generational experiences show a slow evolution toward the modern world. Perception depends on perspective. Action, in turn, depends on perception and may lead to substantially unintended results, even when one is doing what they believe is right.

The Vanished is well-edited, well-presented, and inspiring. It does not contain any profanity or sexual references, and is suitable for anyone interested in the recent history of Korea or Asian cultures. I enjoyed it and recommend it with five out of five stars.

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The Vanished
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