Marlene B

I had really looked forward to reading this biography, as it is a history of an entire family rather than a single individual. The fact that six sisters and one brother pursued such vastly different paths in life should have made this a fascinating read. However, the introductory chapter: The Mitford Phenomenon, was confusing and boring and greatly in need of editing. I had to push myself to read beyond the introductory part before being even mildly interested.

Laura Thompson took a phenomenal subject and failed to illuminate it as it deserves. Nevertheless, she interested me enough to read more about each of the sisters.

This book was not just a very good book; it was outstanding. I was hooked from the very first sentence and could barely stop until I read the last heart wrenching line. This was a story of parents and children, of Korean immigrants struggling to fit into American communities, trying to meld their cultural traditions with those of their new communities.

It asks: how do we love our children so they believe in themselves and their own worth? How do we communicate our innermost thoughts and feelings to our family members and those we love? How do we prevent frustrations from bubbling over into violence against our families?

Jung Yun draws us into the behind the scenes of a nuclear family, their broader families, the next generation. Here, the wounds of the fathers and mothers are transferred to the children. She presents the pain of a disappointing son so vividly that the reader aches for him; the pain of a wife not allowed to express herself or develop her abilities with the support of her husband.

I loved this book--it carried profound truths about family, marriage, friendship. I look forward to anything this author pens.