NCB Book Discussion: The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See In-Person
On the Korean island of JejuMi-ja and Young-sook, are best friends from very different backgrounds. They begin working in the sea with their village's all-female diving collective, led by Young-sook's mother. As the girls take up their positions as baby divers, they know they are beginning a life of excitement and responsibility but also danger. Mi-ja and Young-sook's differences are impossible to ignore. The Island of Sea Women spans many decades, beginning during a period of Japanese colonialism in the 1930s, followed by World War II, the Korean War, through the era of cell phones and wet suits for the women divers. Throughout this time, the residents of Jeju find themselves caught between warring empires. Mi-ja is the daughter of a Japanese collaborator, she is forever marked by this association. Young-sook was born into a long line of haenyeo and will inherit her mother's position leading the divers in their village. After surviving hundreds of dives and developing the closest of bonds, forces outside the girls' control push their friendship to the breaking point. This beautiful, thoughtful novel illuminates a world turned upside down, one where the women are in charge, engaging in dangerous physical work, and the men take care of the children.
- Date:
- Tuesday, October 8, 2024 Show more dates
- Time:
- 7:00pm - 9:00pm
- Time Zone:
- Eastern Time - US & Canada (change)
- Location:
- North County Branch Library Upstairs Meeting Room
- Location:
- North County Branch Library
- Audience:
- Adults
- Categories:
- Book Club