Review of The Vanished
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Ivy Mokote
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Review of The Vanished
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Vanished" by Pejay Bradley.]
The Vanished
This book is a historical fiction that is based on the early 20th century when Japan invaded Korea. Korea did not have the military power to fight the Japanese, so the Korean King submits the governance of Korea to Japan. This move made him even more unpopular than before. During this time, the Kings’ niece, Lady Sougyon gives birth to her first son, Embon. Embon grows up shielded from the harsh life that majority of the Koreans lead. He is in the upper class of the society and is blissfully unaware of the oppression going on outside the palace he lives in. This veil gets lifted when he goes to University. He decides to join the fight against the Japanese. He gets thrown in jail and only gets out because he contracts Tuberculosis. After his release, he gets involves in the Korean Provisional Government. During this time, he gets to witness the death of his friends.
This book is primarily based on Embon and his experiences but highlights those of others as well, such as his mother. The author,Bradley Pejay, has demonstrated the effects of growing up without a father as Embon did. His father was a drunk, who abandoned his family. Embon is seen struggling with integrating his intellectual side with his morality. This is what leads him to get involved in Campus riots in an effort to figure out whats the the right thing to do in his situation. Pejay also shows the struggles of the middle and poor class. The clear distinction between the social classes and the oppression and degradation of women across all social classes.
I did not appreciate the violence captured in the book, but I’m well aware the author is trying to depict a clear picture of the events at the time. I also found it difficult to grasp who’s perspective was in play because of the use of the different narratives.
The thing I loved most about the book is the effort that the author put into researching the Korean history giving the book a rich sense of culture. There is the theme of destitution and suffering that is heavily enshrined in the book which is in par with what was actually happening at the time in Korea. Pejay has vividly described every aspect of the plot. From the clothing of the different social classes, to the decoration of rooms in the palace, this is easily one of the best descriptions I have come across. It gives the book so much character.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the Korean history. Pejay has done an incredible job of illustrating the impact the Japanese culture had on the Koreans as well flaws of the Korean administration which ultimately led to their downfall.
I would give this book a four out of four stars. The author managed to incorporate metaphors and irony in spectacular fashion. The character development is at par with the progression of the plot. This was a truly wonderful read.
******
The Vanished
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The Vanished
This book is a historical fiction that is based on the early 20th century when Japan invaded Korea. Korea did not have the military power to fight the Japanese, so the Korean King submits the governance of Korea to Japan. This move made him even more unpopular than before. During this time, the Kings’ niece, Lady Sougyon gives birth to her first son, Embon. Embon grows up shielded from the harsh life that majority of the Koreans lead. He is in the upper class of the society and is blissfully unaware of the oppression going on outside the palace he lives in. This veil gets lifted when he goes to University. He decides to join the fight against the Japanese. He gets thrown in jail and only gets out because he contracts Tuberculosis. After his release, he gets involves in the Korean Provisional Government. During this time, he gets to witness the death of his friends.
This book is primarily based on Embon and his experiences but highlights those of others as well, such as his mother. The author,Bradley Pejay, has demonstrated the effects of growing up without a father as Embon did. His father was a drunk, who abandoned his family. Embon is seen struggling with integrating his intellectual side with his morality. This is what leads him to get involved in Campus riots in an effort to figure out whats the the right thing to do in his situation. Pejay also shows the struggles of the middle and poor class. The clear distinction between the social classes and the oppression and degradation of women across all social classes.
I did not appreciate the violence captured in the book, but I’m well aware the author is trying to depict a clear picture of the events at the time. I also found it difficult to grasp who’s perspective was in play because of the use of the different narratives.
The thing I loved most about the book is the effort that the author put into researching the Korean history giving the book a rich sense of culture. There is the theme of destitution and suffering that is heavily enshrined in the book which is in par with what was actually happening at the time in Korea. Pejay has vividly described every aspect of the plot. From the clothing of the different social classes, to the decoration of rooms in the palace, this is easily one of the best descriptions I have come across. It gives the book so much character.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the Korean history. Pejay has done an incredible job of illustrating the impact the Japanese culture had on the Koreans as well flaws of the Korean administration which ultimately led to their downfall.
I would give this book a four out of four stars. The author managed to incorporate metaphors and irony in spectacular fashion. The character development is at par with the progression of the plot. This was a truly wonderful read.
******
The Vanished
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Beneath the Muscle by Lauren Powers
