The Island of Sea Women: A Novel

Great historical fiction about a highly unusual enclave of matriarchal breadwinners on an island in Japan. They FREE-DIVE for sea plants/animals to support their families and have (had) a very close - and closed - society of only women. They have husbands/male partners, but they stay home and take care of the children and household chores while the women go out and earn their livelihoods in a most unusual way. True story meticulously researched and extremely well-written, engaging, and intense. Who knew??

I am an avid fan of Lisa See. Having traveled to Asia for nearly 40 years and lived there, off and on, from 2007 until the present, I don’t believe any Western author quite captures the nuances of Asian culture to the extent she does. And that means she both comprehends it and can express it through outstanding prose that is vivid but not tortured. The story is told through the history of two haenyeo divers from the Korean island of Jeju. It covers several decades of military occupation and war from 1938 until 2008, a period of global turmoil that was particularly tumultuous on Jeju given its strategic location in the Korean Strait south of the peninsula. Culturally, the haenyeo divers, who harvested the ocean floor in grueling and dangerous conditions, were perhaps best known for their role in the matriarchal family and cultural structure that is one of Jeju’s legacies, where the women were often the bread-winners and the men took care of the children and did some light cooking. And, as is typical of See’s work, against this backdrop unfolds a multi-generational drama of friendship, betrayal, endurance, and, ultimately – you’ll have to read the book for that. It is a tale vividly told, incredibly well researched, and dramatically brought to life. Having finished the book I looked at some of the reviews and was surprised at how many readers were taken aback by the amount of violence portrayed. I honestly didn’t have that reaction at all while reading the book. War and occupation are gruesome events and I thought See stopped short of bludgeoning the reader with the carnage. If she had shown any more restraint the main story line would have been without context and of much less depth and poignancy. Having said all that, this was not one of my favorite See books. The writing is magnificent, as always, and the historical context is fascinating. What was perhaps most fascinating to me was the incongruity of an isolated society steeped in its own traditions whose members constantly found themselves at the center of grand and chaotic global events that they did not start nor understand, as if they were a large family living quietly in the middle of a cyclone. The characters, in the end, or the nuances of their relationship, more to the point, however, ultimately become chiseled in sharp edges and black and white tones. Grudges are held decades longer than I could ever hold one and secrets that aren’t all that awful take generations to be revealed. They just don’t have the texture of most of See’s other protagonists and, as a result, the book drags on a bit at the end. It is, nonetheless, a marvelous read. The history you learn alone makes it well worth your time.

Fantastic read - chock full of historical information woven into this beautiful story of female physical and emotional strength, friendships and family. A must read!

Wow great historical fiction.

I just finished reading Lis See's, "Island Of Sea Women": a most intriguing, moving, historical novel set in Korea, with examinations of family, tradition, the significant and concerning impacts of the Japanese invasion and colonization of Korea; the effects of WWII on even the most remote islands of Korea; the post war colonization of Korea under the Americans,bringing with it its own seering challenges; ... the (once again, as has happened around the globe such as in Africa, the Middle East, and elsewhere where other territories have been divide by the 'conquerors' to the ultimate perpetual savagery of humans towards each other: in this case, the outside Western imposition of the separation of Korea into two competing and violent territories towards each other, pitting families against each other and tearing many apart, turbulently, leaving destitution, death, and dismemberment of the sanctity of Life in its wake. The 38th Parallel as it is known: the disingenuous arrangements between the USA and USSR to divide Korea after the war. In thinking about these things further, it really did come at me full force that there were were, again, living in the world of the purest and most co-creative of ancient cultural and economic practices that had worked so efficiently and holistically; a world that functioned well and wisely on the guidance and age-old practices of matriarchs who had been able to keep their families and communities safe and nurtured, only to be decimated, war after war, colonial ignorance and savagery time after time, by warring men whose quest was always for power, sans the ability or wisdom to bring about peace rather than the perpetuation of the decades of violence and devolution that they created. Underlying the well researched stories of those times, was an introduction to the incredible women divers of that region. The tenets of friendship and the part played by indigenous religious practices are also examined, and shares insights into what we believe in a world now overpowered by newer dogmatic ways of religious practices that, in self-serving ways, denounce the practices of the ancients, and naturally breed wars. May we take deep lessons from the writings of authors such as Lisa See, as we birth the world that we DO want.

January’s book club read is The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See. Going into reading this book I had high hopes to bring it into my World Literature classroom, those hopes have been confirmed. I really enjoyed reading the light it sheds on a culture that is not often taught. This book follows Young-sook through her childhood to great-grandmotherhood. It highlights Jeju culture, the history of this island, and particularly how those we love can betray and hurt us to the deepest, darkest parts of our heart. Young-sook and Mi-ja are best friends from childhood who even travel together as divers who harvest types of shellfish off the ocean floor. Mi-ja is punished for her parents’ sins, and Young-sook’s family see beyond that. When the political climate on the island becomes dangerous they each must choose between their friendship or their new families. The history this book presents and the theme of forgiveness, personal and as a nation, is why this book will stand out as one of my favorite reads of 2022. I really enjoyed the amount of research See brought into this book. Readers are dropped into a whole new world and left to experience and learn the Jeju culture. See also highlights who controlled Jeju and the harm they did to this island through the perspective of a native Jeju. Through the reading of various reviews and her author’s note, Young-sook’s story is authentic and real. The ability to do this is what makes a historical fiction novel timeless. It also is the reason I hope to bring the novel into the classroom. Students do not learn enough about other cultures, especially smaller ones, and this is a goal of mine. Side note: If you have recommendations that follow this please comment below! The only thing I disliked about the novel is how slow some parts felt. I believe they were meant to be character development so readers could be in Young-sook’s shoes and understand why she struggles to forgive but there were quite a few sections that were slow. There were also sections that read like a history textbook, and though I loved this story of Jeju culture, I wish it would have been a bit more creatively done, especially since this is a historical fiction novel and not nonfiction. Overall, I did really enjoy this book and would like further recommendations for books that highlight hidden or commonly forgotten cultures. Rating: 4 stars Favorite Quote: “Life moves fast, and the sun of her life is setting. She doesn’t have much time left to love or hate or forgive. If you try to live, you can live on well.”

Two friends spend their lives loving and hating each other, being haunted by the mistakes affecting them and their haenyeo community. They are women divers who have learned to dive without the use of diving masks, oxygen or any other supportive equipment. They rely on learning to breathe in vital air and breathe out the song of sumbisori, air let out with a unique sound for each woman. They live on Jeju Island off the southern coast of Korea, a land they believe was created by the Shaman Goddesses, creating a land of lava rocks, cones and walls. The residents have created a matriarchal society loved by each resident. Their story is a celebration of life! Young-Sook has tremendous respect for her mother who is Chief of the haenyeo in one of the local communities until she dies in an accident while diving. Another young woman has another accident that changes her life forever. Their work guarantees survival, especially in the troublesome times that soon follow. Jeju Island residents are the subjects of the Japanese Army who have invaded the country and mandated laws of behavior, inflicting death on many for the slightest infraction of rules. Mi-ja is the daughter of a Japanese collaborator. This reputation haunts her for her entire life. Even though Young-Sook’s mother takes her in with kindness and teachers her to be a haenyeo, Young Sook’s grandmother despises her and will never trust her, a belief that will literally become part of Mi-ja’s choices during one of the most tragic, devastating moments of the story. Young Sook marries the love of her life but Mi-ja marries a man who is evil personified, an act none will understand until it is too late and after too much betrayal and damage. An uprising called the 4.3 incident instigates the death of thousands. The deaths to three members of Young-Sook’s family are tragically depicted, all because of Mi-ja’s response to a request begged by her best friend. The love between these two women will stay strong, although readers will for a time doubt the primitive and passionate aspects of that love. Scientists and sociologists will make this community a subject of lengthy study and amazed respect! It is the children of these women who will clarify truth for them and the readers. These pages commemorate a truly unique and amazing story that readers will never forget! This is astonishing historical fiction, a must read for all!

This book was too sad to finish - too heartbreaking. My dad was in the Korean war, on a ship.

This book makes us travel through history from Japanese occupation to contemporary Korea , through darkest times to forgiveness and reconciliation. We dive and vibrate with the haenyeo of Jeju, admiring their strength, resilience and sacrifice.

My goodness I loved this book. I actually went to Jeju because of this book. I went and visited some of the places and met some the women. It is a beautiful story about female relationships and womanhood. It is all about perspective and forgiveness. It revealed dark historical revelations to me I otherwise would have known nothing about. I’ve recommended this book to many many people. It was utterly beautiful and I hope it finds you well.

✍️ The island of sea women (2019) by Lisa See is a powerful novel that, as a female scuba diver (and after seeing so many recommendations) felt like a must-read. 📖 Set on Jeju Island, south of Korea, the story follows the haenyeo: women who free dive into cold seas to provide for their families in a matrifocal society, where women are the providers and decision-makers. On Jeju, “Halmang” means both “grandmother” and“goddess” - how fabulous is that? 📘At the heart of the novel is the friendship between Young-sook and Mi-ja, spanning the Japanese occupation and the Korean War. 📗 I loved this book. A beautiful, powerful reminder of female strength, community, and endurance in a time and place I knew almost nothing about.

Muy bien!

Delivered on time and the book is in great shape. Cover also exactly as shown in picture.