Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
The Island of Sea Women
The Island of Sea Women: A Novel | Lisa See
A new novel from Lisa See, the New York Times bestselling author of The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, about female friendship and family secrets on a small Korean island. Mi-ja and Young-sook, two girls living on the Korean island of Jeju, are best friends that come from very different backgrounds. When they are old enough, they begin working in the sea with their villages all-female diving collective, led by Young-sooks 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. Despite their love for each other, Mi-ja and Young-sooks differences are impossible to ignore. The Island of Sea Women is an epoch set over many decades, beginning during a period of Japanese colonialism in the 1930s and 1940s, followed by World War II, the Korean War and its aftermath, 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, and she will forever be marked by this association. Young-sook was born into a long line of haenyeo and will inherit her mothers position leading the divers in their village. Little do the two friends know that after surviving hundreds of dives and developing the closest of bonds, forces outside their control will 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. A classic Lisa See storyone of womens friendships and the larger forces that shape themThe Island of Sea Women introduces readers to the fierce and unforgettable female divers of Jeju Island and the dramatic history that shaped their lives.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
blurb
Texreader
post image

I thought it‘d be neat to post my first review of this book back in 2021 to compare it with my new review:

The Korean “sea women” endure frigid waters to collect sea animals to sell & survive, for they are the breadwinners & heads of family on the island of Jeju, Korea. Men care for the children. I loved this matrifocal book about fiercely strong women thru the terrorizing Japanese & American occupations (read it & you‘ll understand) to today. ⬇️

Texreader Brutal, absolutely brutal—so beware. I learned so much history in a compelling & heartbreaking story about female friendship and forgiveness under the harshest of circumstances. This edition has an interview with Lisa See and I don‘t doubt her knowledge of the topic: her research was comprehensive. Beautifully written. Five stars in a heartbeat. #SouthKorea #foodandlit @Catsandbooks (edited) 2d
39 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
Texreader
post image
Pickpick

Two friends grow up on Japanese-occupied Jeju island, through WWII, marry, and suffer through the transition to the island becoming part of #SouthKorea. On Jeju, many women including the friends are haenyeo, who can tolerate extremely cold temperatures and hold their breath for inordinate amounts of time to dive for seafood. This is their astounding story, as well as the heinous acts and murder of Jeju residents by South Korean soldiers under ⬇️

Texreader America‘s watch during the transition to divide up the Koreas. The story is also a fable about the cost of hate. This is a reread and I still love it. A beautiful if not tragic tale, told by an expert storyteller. #foodandlit @catsandbooks 2d
Catsandbooks Wonderful! ❤️🇰🇷 2d
45 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
Texreader
post image
dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 6d
Princess-Kingofkings Such detailed work 🤯 6d
Catsandbooks Adorable!! 💕 4d
55 likes3 comments
blurb
Texreader
post image

Help my fellow Litten cooks. I fried up cabbage and onions thanks to the tagged book describing the family‘s garden, and it looks amazing and smells amazing and was bland as heck. Any suggestions?

#SouthKorea #foodandlit @Catsandbooks

Captivatedbybooks Did you put any seasoning on it? Maybe some pepper? 1w
Texreader @Captivatedbybooks salt pepper and garlic 1w
KateReadsYA I like to add sweet chili sauce to my veggies :) 1w
See All 13 Comments
LapReader Bacon 1w
Sapphire Tony Cachieries 1w
Deblovestoread Fresh lemon juice 1w
LeahBergen Chili crisp! 1w
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @TheBookHippie is a master chef 🧑‍🍳 1w
TheBookHippie You need to shred a carrot into it. Sometimes a little dill. Otherwise use a bit of egg and flour and fry it into a fritter. 1w
Catsandbooks Still looks good. 1w
Tamra Add some Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) or Gochujang (Korean chili paste) (edited) 1w
Tamra @LeahBergen the cure all! 😄 1w
LeahBergen @Tamra Indeed! 😆 1w
52 likes13 comments
blurb
Texreader
post image

Reread!! I loved it the first time. So I‘m doing an audiobook this time. #SouthKorea #foodandlit @Catsandbooks

Catsandbooks ❤️🇰🇷 2w
51 likes2 stack adds1 comment
blurb
gabriellegabby
post image

In honor of Women‘s Day, I want to share one of my favorite books by a woman: The Island of Sea Women.

The story is about two haenyeo women (the female divers of Jeju Island) who risk their lives to provide for their families—and they do it with bravery. These women are some of the most amazing I‘ve ever read about.

Challenge yourself to read a book by a female author! Some excellent titles:

https://blog.getbookly.com/books-by-female-authors/

Texreader A favorite of mine too! 2d
3 likes1 comment
review
Cathyloves2read
post image
Pickpick

There is a lot to this book I learned so much about this small island off Korea. I had never heard of the woman divers. I had also never heard of the 4/3 massacre. The characters are so strong, both physically and emotionally. This story will definitely stay with me. I highly recommend this book. I read it based on a recommendation, and am so glad that I did.

Karisimo This is my favorite by Lisa See! 6mo
10 likes2 stack adds1 comment
review
Amandakay
post image
Pickpick

#doublespin

Mi-ja and Young-sook, two girls living on the Korean island of Jeju, are best friends who come from very different backgrounds. When they are old enough, 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.

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 8mo
29 likes1 comment
blurb
Amandakay
post image
TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Enjoy!!! 8mo
24 likes1 comment
review
Karons1
post image
Pickpick

I read snow flower and secret fan years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it so I‘m not sure why it‘s taken me so long to come back to this wondeful storyteller. The very first book Iv read set in Korea and knowing nothing of the haenyeo divers and culture , combined with the story of friendship , love and betrayal it‘s a fantastic read.

blurb
Karons1
post image

Had to Google where this fascinating 🤨 book is set the beginning reminds me a little of memoirs of a geisha but with diving synop rather than geishas 😆the tiny print is making it a slower read

review
K.Wielechowski
post image
Mehso-so

Oof this was a tough book to get through.
While it was fascinating reading about life on the Korean island of Jeju and about the incredible women drivers known haenyeo, my heart was constantly in pieces for Young-sook and her best friend, Mi-ja. Their lives were long strings of tragedy, loss, and heartbreak as they lived through Japanese occupation, WWII, and the fallout of the Korean War.

16 likes1 stack add
blurb
Eggs
post image
58 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
Sarahreadstoomuch
post image
Pickpick

Wow, this blew me away! I know very little about Korea, and this has me wanting to learn more. There is a particularly brutal scene that I was no at all prepared for, but I absolutely loved this book. The audio narration was fantastic as well.

25 likes2 stack adds
blurb
Bookwormjillk
post image

March seems to have been a month of memories for me. I didn‘t have any new 5 star reads, but I did re-read these favorites: The Island of the Sea Women and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See and The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. #12booksof2022

Andrew65 A great reading books, with wonderful books. 1y
54 likes1 comment
review
Lesliereadsalot
post image
Mehso-so

This is a story of women divers who live on the island of Jeju, a strategically located island between China, Japan and South Korea, during World War I. The storyline follows two women who are young friends, and then traces their lives as they grow apart. I felt like it was about 100 pages too long, although I found the story interesting. I even looked up Jeju on a map to see if it really existed, and it did!

review
SanjanaGhosh
post image
Pickpick

"Joy is a delicious luxury that we experience most cautiously for tragedy conceals itself around every corner. How different it is with friendship. No one picks a friend for us; we come together by choice. We are not tied together through ceremony or the responsibility to create a son; we tie ourselves together through moments. The spark when we first meet. Laughter and tears shared. Secrets packed away to be treasured, hoarded and protected..."

review
451Degrees
post image
Pickpick

Wowza this was a hefty book. Absolutely heartbreaking novel set on a small island, Jeju, off of South Korea. Between present day and the years of WWII and the Korean War, a story of friendship and hardship, life and death, love and sorrow.

41 likes1 stack add
review
Kelican17
post image
Pickpick

I really liked this book. I learned a lot about the matrifocal societies and the atrocities of war- even if I did have to stop reading and google some info to help me better understand their story. 👍🏻👍🏻

blurb
Blackink_WhitePaper
post image

#Alphabetgame #LetterI

Another fav book is I know why the caged bird sings.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks On my shelf!! 2y
34 likes1 comment
review
LibraryCin
post image
Mehso-so

Good story, though it didn‘t move quickly. I learned a lot about Jeju island and the historical happenings there and in Korea. Also learned about the women divers, which was definitely interesting. It was a bit frustrating, though, with the women being so prominent in that society, yet boys were still more highly prized. The women worked not only to feed their family and make money, but that money was to be spent on educating the boys.

blurb
MerlinTheSlightlyAwkward
post image
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Haha! So true! 2y
18 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
Allylu
post image
Pickpick

Lisa See is brilliant! This is a terribly wonderful book. It is about two women whose love for each other is all-encompassing, then the tragedies of their lives in Korea and just in life separate them. You just have to read the book to understand. It‘s so good. #44 #BookSpin #9 #BFC22 #BOOKED2022 eco-feminist #2022AUTHORAMONTH March #Pantone2022Colour FragileSprout #Hikeathon

Cinfhen I tried reading this awhile back & couldn‘t get into it! Your review makes me want to try again 😁 2y
Allylu @Cinfhen I listened to the audiobook which gives perspective. As I said, some of the things that happened were terrible, but I cried at the end because I was so moved. 2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2y
See All 6 Comments
Clwojick I‘ve read so many good things about this author! I‘ll have to check her out! 2y
Clwojick Thanks! 2y
28 likes6 comments
review
Blackink_WhitePaper
post image
Pickpick

A beautiful historical fiction set in Jeju Island. The concept of Haenyo ( sea women ) who harvest sea animals just by diving into the sea is new to me. Interesting concept & learnt a lot about colonial rule in Korea & freedom struggles. It‘s d story of struggle, loss, hardship, hope friendship, with both past & present prospectives. strong female characters, well researched & gives vivid details about different culture & customs. A solid 5⭐️

Blackink_WhitePaper Though I am late, happy that I finished this book for March #AuthorAmonth 😊 2y
Soubhiville I thought this book was wonderful. And I haven‘t seen this cover, I like it! Congratulations on finishing it! 😁 2y
44 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
DrexEdit
post image

This also ticks a couple more boxes on the #Pantone2022 challenge list.
#FragileSprout
#SuperSonic
@Clwojick

Clwojick Awesome!!! 2y
40 likes1 comment
review
DrexEdit
post image
Pickpick

Catching up with March #AuthorAMonth. This was totally different from the only other Lisa See book I've read-Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. The women portrayed were incredibly strong & resilient. This was a VERY brutal story of colonization & war set against the story that centers on these women trying to preserve their culture. The fiction is heartbreaking but I found the history to be fascinating.
#AuthorAMonth
@Soubhiville

DrexEdit Here's an excellent video on the Culture of Korean Jeju Haenyeo (women divers) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk7DQLMKBTE 2y
Soubhiville Thank you for sharing your video find! 2y
45 likes2 comments
review
Susanita
post image
Pickpick

The ending was surprisingly rushed, but overall this was an interesting book. I won‘t say pleasant, because there were some truly hair raising and cringe worthy moments, but I enjoyed getting to know this group of resilient and persistent women doing the thing and caring for their families. Side by side with the sweeping history is a personal drama about friendship and betrayal. #authoramonth

review
mom2bugnbee
post image
Mehso-so

Have to admit that there WERE places in this book that made me sigh in delight. I love sweeping, multi-generational family epics. This one just didn't grab me like, say, Pachinko did. I continue to love that #Authoramonth2022 is introducing me to unknown-to-me authors. @Soubhiville

⭐⭐✨/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Soubhiville I‘m sorry you didn‘t love it. 2y
mom2bugnbee @Soubhiville Oh, that's okay! Not every author is for every person. I appreciate that you've introduced me to so many new authors! 2y
33 likes2 comments
review
Melismatic
post image
Pickpick

I‘m reading so much historical fiction this year! I enjoyed this, altho I do feel the end was a bit rushed. Tells the story of two women who were once close and grew apart over the course of 80ish years on Jeju Island in South Korea. The women were Haenyo - or female divers who were often the main income providers for their families.

#AuthorAMonth

wanderinglynn Great photo! 2y
Soubhiville Pretty cardinal! 2y
Melismatic @wanderinglynn thank you! ❤️ 2y
35 likes4 comments
review
Frankies.space
Mehso-so

Set in Jeju. Haenyeo divers and a matriarchal society where women are the breadwinners. Devastating scenes as Japanese colonisation came to an end for American troops. Two friends.

review
Butterfinger
post image
Pickpick

I have enjoyed every one of Lisa See's books I have read. She takes an unknown culture and makes it alive in my imagination. I just love her writing. I understood Young-sook's anguish and anger. The moment of Mi-ja's betrayal is heartbreaking. I couldn't sleep without revisiting the images evoked. And now I know a little bit about the haenyeo life. Just wow! I look forward to more, but my heart can't take it right now. #AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville

62 likes4 stack adds
review
UwannaPublishme
post image
Pickpick

This book has so many layers to it—the captivating tradition of these resilient women divers, the atrocities of the Korean War, the heavy themes of friendship & forgiveness. The vast amount of research Lisa does (all herself!) for these books is mind-boggling! This one is haunting and heart wrenching, yet masterfully curated and beautifully written. Not my typical read, but certainly a powerful one I won‘t soon forget.
#AuthorAMonth
@Soubhiville

Tera66 I loved this one. 2y
UwannaPublishme @Tera66 😊👍🏻 2y
56 likes2 comments
review
staci.reads
post image
Pickpick

A remarkable story of tragedy, strength, friendship, and womanhood! Another "I'm so glad I stuck with it" situation! I wasn't sure how I was going to feel until I got to the last 3rd of the book. I had a hard time getting into it, but that may have been more my state of mind. Two weeks post knee surgery, I'm finally able to focus on my reading again...might be that I'm weaned off the "good" pain pills now ? ?. #AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville

Soubhiville I hope your recovery continues to go well. 2y
AmyG May your recovery go well. Knee surgery is not fun. 2y
UwannaPublishme Keep feeling better! 🤗 2y
74 likes1 stack add4 comments
review
KatieDid927
post image
Mehso-so

I can be picky about historical fiction. I think traumatic and violent historical events should be used cautiously when writing fiction for entertainment, and I don‘t feel like the author was thoughtful enough here. The story of Jeju is fascinating and heartbreaking, but I‘m not okay with using real history to maximize the emotional manipulation of the reader. I would‘ve preferred a non-fiction book on these topics. #AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville

AmyG I‘m reading this now....a bit of a struggle if I am going to be honest. 2y
KatieDid927 @AmyG It's a fine line, but I think there are ways historical fiction can be done REALLY well (for me The Sympathizer is a great example). I just don't feel like it was here. In the middle the story lost all momentum to make way for historical exposition, and it dragged. Then there was a moment I almost bailed, but I pushed through to the end as I was over halfway through. Did not enjoy it overall. 2y
AmyG I am about a fifth of the way in and I may just bail and call it a day. Not a fan of this author at all as I already bailed on Dreams of Joy. 2y
KatieDid927 @AmyG Oh man, and it only gets worse haha. I actually liked the first fifth. 😬 2y
48 likes4 comments
review
Bookwormjillk
post image
Pickpick

This was a re-read for me, this time over audio. I really enjoyed this unique story both times I‘ve read it. #AuthorAMonth2022

review
vlwelser
post image
Pickpick
jlhammar Really enjoyed this one! 2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2y
Soubhiville Yay! Glad you liked it. 2y
45 likes3 comments
review
Teresereading
post image
Pickpick

Beautifully told Haenjo women divers' family story spanning generations. Set against backdrop WW2 and the Korean War.
Bookclub favourite.

LoverOfLearning What a BEAUTIFUL cover. wow 2y
17 likes1 comment
blurb
BarkingMadRead
post image

Starting book 2 of the challenge, asking friends to recommend books!

50 likes1 stack add
review
coffeebooksandchaos
post image
Pickpick

The Island of the Sea Women was a truly unique book. It tells the story of the haenyeo of the island of Jeju. I was entirely unfamiliar with these women or this place before delving into this story. Lisa See does a tremendous job of painting the world in rich details. The story is not a happy one, spanning decades of war in which people lost so much, but the themes of enduring love, motherhood, friendship and forgiveness are deeply meaningful.

review
rebbyj
Pickpick

Amazing.

blurb
sblbooks
post image

#BestOf2021Swap @candority Thanks for hosting this swap! @Texreader I am beyond excited to read The Exiles, and the tagged book sounds very interesting. Thank you for all my other goodies like the bookmarks, Notepad, the Jenny Lawson book, puzzle and chocolate! The card is really cute, and I love the idea of having a postcard from your area! Happy New Year!🎉

monalyisha Oh, that fudge! I am 100% a chocolate peppermint gal! 😍 Happy New Year! 🎉✨ 2y
sblbooks @monalyisha thanks the fudge is amazing! 2y
candority Super jealous of the puzzle! And the fudge 🤤 2y
45 likes3 comments
blurb
Susanita
post image

1. Sue Grafton, Tolkien, Laura Lippman
2. Zaphod Beeblebrox from H2G2
3. Tagged book for #authoramonth 2022
#wondrouswednesday

Eggs Well done-thanks for playing ❤️📚🥰 2y
27 likes1 comment
blurb
jenniferharenda
post image

This is great! My sister recommended it to me and it cracked my 8 month long reading slump in which I rarely could open a book, and couldn't finish the ones I did open. Well developed characters, and it opened my eyes to a culture and history I previously was not aware of. Likeable main character, even if she wasn't always right.

marleed I‘m so excited to reread this for my irl bookclub in 2022! Those women rock - and dive! 2y
5 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
Bookboss
This post contains spoilers
show me
post image
Pickpick

This is a wonderful novel about friendship, family, and forgiveness. The bright cover is misleading because the author describes dark, violent scenes from the Jeju April 4 incident in which hundreds of men, women, and children were murdered. This book had me searching the internet for the history behind the fiction. I finished this book a few weeks ago, and it has stayed with me. This is historical fiction at its best.

review
Dalaine
post image
Pickpick

Such a heartbreaking and beautiful novel. I knew so little about the history and the people put forth in this story. I read it while visiting Jeju and it made me experience this island in a much different way than I would have without having been introduced to the character of Young-sook. I know that this is a book that I will be thinking about for a very long time.

9 likes1 stack add
review
sarahlandis
post image
Pickpick

This was phenomenal. A historical fiction (I don‘t normally read) about women divers, Haenyeo, on Jeju Island in Korea. Told through the perspective of Young-sook throughout her entire life starting in the early 1900s stretching all the way until the early 2000s. Her life through Japanese and American occupation is devastating and inspiring to read. The haenyeo and the war crimes on Jeju are very real things and it was so interesting to read

blurb
Texreader
post image

#thoughtfulthursday Thanks @Eggs for the tag!

1) Dracula, The Historian, Rebecca—all more times than I can count

2) Absolutely

@MoonWitch94

Nute Yay, The Historian!🙂 3y
46 likes2 comments
review
Kangaj1
Pickpick

This was such a compelling read. I visited Cheju Island when I was a teen, and I do not remember much. #bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
19 likes1 comment
blurb
Kangaj1
post image
BookBelle84 My favourite Lisa See book! 3y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! I've been meaning to check out more of See's work, so I'll be interested to hear your thoughts!! 3y
19 likes2 comments