I've read many Lisa See books over the years and she never disappoints. This wonderful novel is no exception.

At its core many of See's novels have the same theme: female friendship. They are often overlaid against a historical background and the history is of course inextricably linked to the experiences the women are having and how their friendship evolves (gets impacted) by everything in their lives.

This book in its most basic has the same premise. It's about two women who meet as girls and are as close as siblings from a young age. They are on the Korean island of Jeju and they are part of an all-female diving collective. This culture is characterized as matrifocal, which is, focused on females. The women do all the hard, dangerous work, earn the keep and the men cook and take care of the babies, etc.

The story takes place over a long tumultuous period, including Japanese colonialism in the 1930s and 1940s, World War II, the Korean War and what follows, and then ends up in current day era, a few generations later. There are some horrible horrible things that happen in the book. I am sure much of it is historically accurate and it was tough to read.

The overarching story, as always, is the friendship between the two women. What we keep from each other, even in our most trusted friendships. How we can destroy each other even as we're trying to protect each other. How we can hold on to hatred and resentment for much longer than it serves us. And, of course, regret.

I am grateful for the time I spent with this book, to Lisa See for both teaching me about a time and place in history I knew little about and weaving a deep, touching and thought-provoking story into this time period to make it come even more alive for her readers.

thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Scribner and NetGalley for the free review copy!

Once again Lisa See amazes me with her insight into women's hearts and souls. This is a story of a lifetime friendship between 2 women, spanning from 1938-1975 with snippets of 4 days in 2008 inserted throughout, set on the Korean island of Jeju. It is a quintessential story of the redemptive and healing power of forgiveness, and the bonds of friendship. Young-Sook and Mi-Ja are loyally dedicated to each other, lifting one another up, supporting each other, and sharing secrets. This friendship sustains these women through many years, of good times and bad, until it falls victim to the age old problem of not knowing another’s heartache and reality. It also paints a portrait of strong, courageous women. The main characters are “haenyeo”, female divers. Haenyeo are fiercely independent and loyal, providing the main income for their families while the men care for the children. They take great pride in their work and lives. In the time of war and injustice, they display a willingness to accept their situation and make the most of it, proving to be a good wife & daughter-in-law.


I am also fascinated by the historical aspects of this novel. The author draws you in to the place and time, the customs, and the society. I found myself stopping often to look at a map or look up incidents recounted in the story, and researching facts about haenyeo and Korean culture. Throughout this novel I learned about the making of North & South Korea, and about the atrocities of that time period such as the Bukchon Massacre. The litmus test for excellent historical fiction is one which broadens my world...and this one passed with flying colors!

As with all of her books, this was well researched and beautifully written, this time about Korea. I loved the writing, the setting and the story. She never fails to impress me with all the perfect parts coming together to form a beautiful novel.

In this enthralling, beautifully written novel, Lisa See weaves the story of the friendship between Young-sook and Mi-ja on the Korean island of Jeju. The two girls are part of the collective of haenyeo, the female divers who earn their families living while the husbands care for the children and home. The story follows Young-sook and Mi-ja from Japanese colonialism in the 1930s, WWII, the Korean War and its aftermath to 2008. Their lives inter-twine as they pass from childhood to young women; from daughters to wives and mothers. The dramatic history that shaped the world around them leads to tragedy and threatens to sever the ties that bind them.

This is not just a story of the relationship between Young-sook and Mi-ja, but also a painstakingly researched and stunning depiction of the 20th century history of Korea, as well as a portrayal of the fascinating lives of the haenyeos. I could not put this book down, and the story and history stayed with me for days. This is by far the best historical fiction novel I have read in a while. Lyrically written and richly detailed, this book will be in high demand.

I wasn't sure what to expect from The Island of Sea Women. The book is about Korean women, which is a departure from See's usual stories about Chinese women. After I got adjusted to the different names, places, and histories, I realized The Island of Sea Women still fits into the main body of Lisa See's work.

The book begins during the latter stages of the Japanese occupation of Korea (in fact, this would be an excellent book to read before Samuel Park's This Burns My Heart). We hear the story through the voice of Young-sook, a Haenyeo (sea woman/海女）from Jeju Island. Like many of See's other books, she is inseparable with her best friend, and the state of their relationship directly affects her ability to feel happiness. In The Island of Sea Women (as well as in Snow Flower and the Secret Fan), we learn the importance of thinking outside ourselves and viewing situations from multiple perspectives.

Although the structure of the story was nothing new, I thoroughly enjoyed Lisa See's use of language, as well as her in-depth research. I came away from the book knowing much more about Korean culture and history. Moreover, The Island of Sea Women focused on the strength, courage, and leadership of Korean women, which you don't often see in East Asian historical fiction. I'd absolutely recommend this everyone. (TW for war and its related violence, as well as for domestic abuse)

For fans of historical fiction this is a must read! The relationship between the main characters and the challenges they face would make this an excellent book club book. I learned a lot about the divers of Jeju Island, as well as Korean history. The different roles played by women and men on the island was fascinating. If you liked "Pachinko," you'll definitely enjoy this book.

Mi-ja and Young-sook are best friends who grew up on the Korean Island of Jeju. They are part of the Haenyeo culture on the island. The Haenyeo, or women of the sea, can dive deep, have a higher shivering threshold, and provide for their families, even diving while pregnant. The girls/women met when they were seven years old and became baby divers together. They spent all their time together, as best friends do, sharing secrets, dreams, wishes and their shared plans for their futures. But life and circumstances have a way of altering the best of plans. Separated when they are married, they try to maintain their friendship until a tragic event drives them apart.

This book started slowly for me. I have loved every single Lisa See book that I have read and have been drawn in to them within the first couple of pages. This one took almost half the book to draw me in, but once in, I was full invested in the story. There is a lot of history in these pages, not only between these two women and their families/husbands but also on the island of Jeju itself.

I appreciated the historical aspect of this book and learning about the Haenyeo. I found the culture of the diving women to be fascinating as was the fact that these women were the chief bread winners in their families. “Haenyeo were Korea’s first working moms,” said Koh Mi, an editor at the Jeju newspaper Jemin Ilbo and a participant in a nine-year research project on the sea women. “They were a symbol of female independence and strength in Korea.” I read in one article published in 2014 that in 20 years, most of the Haenyeo will be gone.

The history of the island between the years of 1930's to the 1950's is also shown in this book, having the characters suffer through tragedy, uprising and killings. Lisa See did a wonderful job researching this book and shared how she approached her research in her Author's note.

I just wished I would have been more drawn by the story in the beginning. I can't quite put my finger on what was lacking for me. I did not feel connected to the characters and in the beginning kept turning to other books to read. But around the half way mark, the story picked up for me and I was fully invested in these two women, their lives, their hardships, their heartbreak and the one event which will leave both troubled and haunted. A horrific even which will alter their lives forever.

Thank you to Scribner and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

If you know me, you know that I LOVE the novels of Lisa See and that I have read them all! Her writing is so evocative and beautiful, and her stories often focus on the power of family, love, and friendship. I also always learn something new! This novel was no different. I loved it and couldn’t put it down. From the interesting facts about the Korean women divers, to the tragedies that befell their families and villages, to the storyline of Mi-Ja and Young-Sook’s friendship, this novel was pure Lisa See goodness!

Description via Net Galley (thank you for my review copy!)
full review at drbethnolan.com

5 stars
This is a story of pain , sorrow, anger, anger and grief all rolled into one. This is historical fiction, set on the island of Jeju, South Korea. It centers on the relationship between two women, Mi-ja and Young-sook, from the 1930s to 2008. They are best friends growing up in a Korea run by the Japanese, who made a colony of Korea in 1910. They remain friends until one day in January 1949, when their friendship is destroyed. Young-sook's husband, son and sister-in-law are killed by South Korean soldiers.
I was aware that the US installed a dictator, Rhee Syngman(Korean--US is Syngman Rhee), who was a staunch anti-communist, in S. Korea. I was not aware that his police and army had a large number of Japanese collaborators. His regime ruthlessly suppressed opponents who protested, asking for democratic elections, killing thousands on Jeju alone.
This book also has a large amount of information of the women on Jeju, who do the fishing, while their husbands stay home taking care of the children. This practice goes back hundreds of years to a time when men who fished were heavily taxed by Korean kings, while women paid no taxes.
Some quotes:
"Jeju is her home, an island known for Three Abundances: wind, stones and women."
"Her house is a nest where she hides the joy, laughter, sorrows and regrets of her life."
After giving birth: "The four of us were back on the boat within days. The babies lay side by side in their cradles., linked with all the cradles."
"My solace came from knowing I was not alone in my misery. So many men had been killed in Bukchon that it was now called the Village of Widows."
I strongly recommend this book to all historical fiction and Lisa See fans.
Thank You Simon and Schuster for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." (Mother Teresa)

The threads of time, commitment, connection, and honor run deeply throughout this latest offering by the highly talented Lisa See. We follow her to the Korean volcanic island of Jeju in the Korean Strait. Jeju is filled with jutting cliffs, white sandy beaches, and the deafening roar of the sea. But the beauty of these surroundings is far outmatched by the resilience of its people.........and in particular, its women.

Haenyeo or "Korean Mermaids" have been a collective group of female divers who have taken to the sea for eons. They search for their daily catch of abalone, squid, octopus, and the like while their house husbands remain at home caring for the children. The reverse roles of males/females work well for the divers who provide for their families. Some of the chosen women even travel to the Soviet Union for extra work.

The Island of Sea Women spans from the 1930's to the 1950's and reflects the historical happenings of the time. The Korean people have a strong sense of identity, but it has been mottled by Japanese occupation. The Japanese presence leaned heavily on both the culture and the language. Some Korean men traveled to Japan for work and were away from their families. Suspicion roamed the streets and caution took a palatable place in the market square. We'll also see the effects of the Korean War and the great fear of communism after the U.S. occupation.

And through all of this, two young women, Mi-ja and Young-sook, will take their first dives under the guidance of the experienced haenyeo divers. Mi-ja comes from a displaced background whose father is a Japanese collaborator. She lives with her elderly aunt and uncle. Young-sook's mother takes her in and teaches her the skills along with her own daughter. But the sea is a fiercely dangerous place and tragedy will strike this band of women multiple times throughout the years.

Lisa See creates a panorama showcasing these young women as they perfect their newly found occupation. But just as these women test the uncertainties of these waters, Lisa See goes into the dark depths encasing the relationship between Mi-ja and Young-sook. There will come the day when both women will face an unspeakable horror. A snap decision, a gut-wrenching choice, and the suffocating aftermath will haunt each of them for many, many years to come.

Finding peace is like a twisted piece of driftwood floating upon the surface of the sea........released from its roots and so within reach. But it's all in the desire of making it so.

I received a copy of The Island of Sea Women through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Scriber Publishers and to Lisa See for the opportunity.

Lisa See has once again written a fascinating story that not only depicts life in a specific place through a turbulent time, but also tells the story about the wondrously unique, compelling world of the haenyeo, the female divers supporting their families on the Korean island of Jeju. The danger of the work they do is evident from the accident that occurs on Young-sook's first dive with the collective, and the stories about their diving never cease to be interesting throughout this story. Young-sook's personal story, and the historical elements of this book are also compelling- from poverty and brutality in the midst of war, bringing the story from the 1930s through 2008, seeing the changes in her and in the world around her.

4.5 Rating

Wow! I have enjoyed going on many journeys with Lisa See and this one was quite unique as the Korean island of Jeju was one I was unfamiliar with (even though I've been to Korea) as was the world of the haenyeos. I found myself doing my own research during and after reading the book as the culture of these divers was so interesting. My heart broke from the story of Young-sook and Mi-ja as their relationship was shattered after the two marry and were trying to survive during the tragic period after WWII when thousands on the island were murdered (the 4.3 incident). This is an amazing story that does what good historical fiction is supposed to do. The research done to bring this small island to life was extraordinary and the telling of the hardship brought to its people was unforgettable. After reading The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, I tried some new teas. I don't think I'll try diving but I certainly won't forget about the haenyeos.

Thank you to NetGalley, Scribner and Lisa See for the ARC.

I knew about the female pearl divers in Japan, but not about the Korean "sea farmers", who were also women. The Island of Sea Women was a very interesting look at the culture and history of Jeju island, Korea, which is set apart from the mainland in both language and tradition. World War II and the Korean War brought much unwanted change to the Jeju culture, but in the end the women who were once viewed as oddities are seen as national treasures.

Young-Sook lived on the Korean island of Jeju. The day she met Mi-ja, she knew she had met her best friend forever. They looked forward to that day when they would join the powerful collective of women divers, the haenyeo, for which their island was famous. As they grow and become baby divers, they learn a lot about life and love, and they grow even closer together. It isn’t until one terrible and fateful day that they have a deadly misunderstanding, and that close and precious friendship is shattered forever.

This is an amazing book! Not only did I not know of the women diver’s collective in Jeju, but I also did not know about their woman-centered society. On this tiny island in the 1930’s and 1940’s, the women were the breadwinners and the men “sat under the big tree thinking big thoughts.” The haenyeo earned the income, while the men took care of the children. They made a good living, too. They dove deep, considering they used no diving gear. They were amazing and strong women.

This book also tenderly and compassionately explains what it was like to live in Korea during the Japanese colonization and afterward when they were in the middle of fighting factions. What a valuable and wonderful book!

Lisa See’s new book, The Island of Sea Women, is a historical fiction story which takes place during World War II and the Korean War. Young-Sook is the main female character, born into a family of divers called Haenyeo, she grows up on the island of Jeju, where food, like abalone and octopus, is harvested by the divers from the sea.

Life as a Haenyeo can prove to be quite dangerous, after years of strengthening their lung capacity, learning the rules of the ocean, and risking their lives with each dive, they continue a life of harvesting food for their families and their community. A part of the book I personally found very interesting and invested in reading more about.

The love the women divers shared for the ocean and the island is what intrigued me the most about the story. I had never previously heard of this group of women called the Haenyeo. I appreciated the author’s acknowledgements after the ending to explain their history and the research she had to do in order to write this book.

The central theme of the book is not just of the Haenyeo people, but of a deep rooted friendship that begins in childhood. Young-Sook, the main character, and Ming-ja, have the most amazing friendship as two little girls even though their families are from very different backgrounds. Over the years, they grow up together until they both are wed to their new husbands through an arranged marriage and begin their adult lives, living apart from each other and becoming mothers. During the war and through horrible political events, their friendship is torn apart by unimaginable tragedy. Tragedy that I found extremely hard to read, knowing that many of these events are very close to true events from history. I felt like the cover of the book was a bit deceiving, since the horrors of the war described in the book were almost enough to make me stop until I was ready another day. But I kept on reading, finding myself desperate to know what what would happen to these characters’ lives that I’ve become so invested in.

I was heartbroken at the tragedy Young-Sook experienced and the unbelievable strength she had to overcome it, including her anger towards Ming-ja that almost destroyed her. There are beautiful lessons of life, love, motherhood, family, friendship and forgiveness told throughout this story that make this book so memorable for me.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in historical fiction, unique cultures, and reading about the bonds of friendship and family through decades of time.

Thank you to #netgalley and Scribner Publishing for my advanced e-book version in exchange for an honest review.

I learned a lot reading about the wise and brave Jeju women divers. I could tell that alot of research has gone into this effort by Lisa See. The traditions, rituals, respect for one another and how the Japan/Korea conflict affects them through their different perspectives were the highlights for me. It was interesting how the roles of men and women are quite different in this culture. The women are the ‘bread winners’, divvying up the day’s diveing spoils for their families and to make a living wage. Learning about the art of the dive was eye-opening. These women masters of the sea are born into this life and are truly amazing. Risking dangerous conditions, from water temperature, to their alternate breathing techniques and confronting creatures of the deep like octopus looking for dinner swimming amongst them. Different from any other book I’ve read by Sea, but enjoyable just the same.

*will post in additional online venues closer to date of publication. Thanks much for the galley. What a story!

Lisa See always come up with the most fascinating topics for her books. I had read another book about this subject, but See's book is very throrough. Women dive for a living and make the money for the family on this Korean island. The story follows two friends and their closeness they shared, and then the tragedy and dissension that tore them apart. It's am engrossing book about hardy women who dive deep to provide for their families

This may be a novel that I need to set aside and come back to another time. Unlike other reviewers, I am not really engaging with this one at a third into it. For me, the story is detailed to the point of losing flow.

though...more than fine. This novel centers around the matrifocal society of Jeju, an island off the coast of Korea, and is utterly fascinating, heart-wrenching, and inspiring. Lisa See is the master of flushing out female relationships and she has created an extraordinary friendship here. Mi-Ja is the daughter of a Japanese collaborator, shunned by the village women yet taken in by the head of the haenyeo collective and taught the skills of sea diving. Young-sook, the collective head's daughter and heir-apparent, forms a deep bond with this outsider. Shown through flashbacks of the 1930's during the Japanese era of colonialism, the years of WWII, the terrible times of civil war, and ultimately the present days when the society of the haenyeo has irrevocably changed. The haenyeo have been studied, examined, tested, you name it for many many decades; their ability to dive deep over and over in frigid waters, to test the boundaries, to support their families is truly breathtaking. This book has seared my heart and will not be forgotten any time soon.

What a great exploration of many things: friendship, a matriarchal society, the horrible conflicts endured by the Koreans from the 1930s through the 1950s, guilt & forgiveness, the power of a mother's love, and much more. A joy to read and to recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for the ARC to read and review.