REVIEW: Beasts of a Little Land (Juhea Kim)

Book: Beasts of a Little Land

Author: Juhea Kim

Premise: Korea, 1917. Jade is sold by her family to a courtesan school, cementing her place in the lowest social status. When she befriends an orphan boy named JungHo, they form a deep friendship. As they come of age, JungHo is swept up in the revolutionary fight for independence. Soon Jade must decide whether she will risk everything for the one who would do the same for her.

I love this type of book as I learn so much about relatively recent history in different countries. This story covers the first half of the 20th century in Korea, showing life under Japanese imperialist rule. I hadn't realised how long the Japanese occupied Korea, nor how different political groups came together to fight for independence. 

While the premise focuses on 2 main characters, we inevitably follow others who's stories are connected with Jade and JungHo. All the characters get developed and you become emotionally invested in their story. Obviously there are some parts you can't help but feel sad about with hindsight - particularly given the current split of the peninsula and the difference in political ideology.

If you like books such as Pacinko and The Mountains Sing, you'll like this.