Book Review: White Mulberry by Rosa Kwon Easton

Book: White Mulberry 

Author: Rosa Kwon Easton

Publisher: Lake Union 

Source: Netgalley (for an honest review)

Genre: Literary/Historical Fiction

Pages: 331 (to be released on Dec 1, 2024)

I love reading multicultural stories, particularly stories set in Japan fascinate me. This story, however, is more about Korean people and their culture, dominated by Japan army and administration during WWII. The book is inspired by the true life story of the author’s grandmother’s (Halmeoni) life. 

This is Miyoung/Miyoko’s story, who lived with her mother and stepsister in Japan-occupied Korea (during World War II). When she is 12, her sister Bohbeh is forced to leave for Japan to marry an unknown man, in hope of a better life for her. When Miyoung turns 13, she too leaves Korea to live with her sister in Japan (mainly to study and escape an unwanted marriage). 

The story, which spans over 13 years, tells about familial bond, determination (to achieve something substantial in life), love, loss, and survival.  

I enjoyed reading the book from the very beginning when Miyoung is perched on the sole mulberry tree outside her house and watches a stranger stopping outside the gate, eyeing her sister, Bohbeh. 

The writing is mostly good. However, at certain points it slips into the ‘too much telling’ mode and gets repetitive. I could not ignore the repeated usage of ‘Warmed’ (her/her tired body or heart or her body/heart warmed). But overall, the book is nicely written and, most importantly, in a very engaging manner. The descriptions of setting, food, and culture are vivid and create lovely imagery. 

The characters: I really liked Miyoung/Miyoko (her Japanese name). She is smart, intelligent, determined, so focused on her studies and career, and practical. Too practical that sometimes it smacks of selfishness. I don't know if the author has done this purposefully (because there are several other ways to show the practicality as per the situation), but Miyoung’s emotions suddenly brim when she finds some kinds of benefits, even if it's love. 

I loved Teacher Kim, Taeyoung (her stepbrother), and Bohbeh. The last two chapters were full of apprehensions that kept me on the edge of the seat. 

Overall, an interesting, well-written, and culturally rich story that I enjoyed reading.