First published in 2017, Korean-American author Min Jin Lee's second novel Pachinko received very solid reviews. Jean Zimmerman of NPR liked the book, saying that "this is honest writing, fiction that looks squarely at what is, both terrible and wonderful and occasionally as bracing as a jar of Sunja's best kimchi." Tash Aw of The Guardian thought similarly, calling the novel "Vivid and immersive" and saying that "Pachinko is a rich tribute to a people that history seems intent on erasing." The novel was also a finalist for the 2017 National Book Award for fiction.
Pachinko tells the story of Sunja, a teenager growing up in 1900s Korea. Her father is a crippled fisherman, and their life is hard. When she meets a very wealthy stranger, she thinks her life is set. However, after some hardships, she decides to marry a kind, sickly man who is traveling through Korea to get to Japan. This, however, angers her father, which makes her life much harder. This is a story of family, love, love, and relationships.
The same year it was published, Apple bought the screen rights for the book with the expectation that it would be a show on its T.V. streaming service called Apple TV+. At the time this study guide was written, the show is still in pre-production.
