Official Review: The Vanished by Pejay Bradley

nwaobifrancesca · Post by **nwaobifrancesca** » 01 Jan 2021, 20:28

This has to be the first time I'm reading a review of a book centered on Asian background. The fact that it has Korean history entwined with other themes, sounds interesting. Thanks for an in-depth review.

c4bersg1rl · Post by **c4bersg1rl** » 01 Jan 2021, 20:41

I am not overly fond of books that drag along but I think I will attempt to read this one. I am hoping that the change from first person to third person is not too distracting.
Thank you for your review.

Lara Leduc · Post by **Lara Leduc** » 01 Jan 2021, 20:45

Interesting novel set in early 20th century Korea.

Sirajuddin A · Post by **Sirajuddin A** » 01 Jan 2021, 20:52

An informative review about the struggle of Koreans to achieve their freedom from the clutches of Japan, before reading this review, I was not aware that Koreans had no nation for themselves.

Jack Winnick · Post by **mrlefty0706** » 01 Jan 2021, 21:04

A book about Embon, a young prince of Korea during the times when Korea was seeking independence from Japan. Embon was given instructions by his mother that if caught trying to overthrow Japanese rule he should shoot as many Japanese as possible but do not be captured so save the last bullet for himself. The official review was good but too short to promote enough of the turbulent times in the early 20th century and the struggle that ultimately freed Korea. I would give the book 3 out of 4 stars even though I enjoyed learning about Korean history.

Pennybutterfly8 · Post by **Pennybutterfly8** » 01 Jan 2021, 21:25

They culture is very different from ours, secrets and how they treat their servants. What a whimsical, intriguing book. Appreciate the review

dtbrannon · Post by **dtbrannon** » 01 Jan 2021, 21:47

Having lived in the Pacific for ten years of my life, I enjoy Asian history. The first item that jumped out at me in the first paragraph of the book was that the baby was born in the year of the Rat (1912), as I was in 1960. I did a little quick research online to discover that the year 2020 was also the year of the Rat.

The second item that caught my attention was the mention of the baby's facial characteristics being different than most Koreans. Even when I lived among Asian people in the 1990s, certain physical characteristics seemed to be more favorably considered over other characteristics. The taller, trimmer, lighter-skinned individuals seemed to have an advantage over others. But I could be making a generalization.

I have only read the first chapter so far, but intend to read the remainder of the book.

Pamela Bianca Mas · Post by **Pamela Bianca Mas** » 01 Jan 2021, 21:52

I am excited to read about Asian history and culture that’s included in this book! Thanks to this review, I will look out for the mishaps that was pointed out.

Nerea · Post by **Nerea** » 01 Jan 2021, 21:54

Sounds like an enlightening and emotional story. Getting to know a bit of the Korean socio-historical events is quite something. Will Embon ever find freedom he is longing for? I will read the book to find out. Congratulations to the BOTD.

evraealtana · Post by **evraealtana** » 01 Jan 2021, 22:13

So excited to check out this Book of the Month. Congratulations on BOTD/BOTM, and thank you for your review!

JKO · Post by **JKO** » 01 Jan 2021, 22:25

This book is set during a time when Korea was struggling to break free from Japanese rule. I'd like to see how Embon fares as he attempts to gain freedom, having been brought up in privilege. Congrats on the BOTD.

Kelyn · Post by **Kelyn** » 01 Jan 2021, 22:26

I'm not keen on historical fiction that is a history lesson in disguise. The key for me is "fiction," not "a history lesson veiled as fiction." I believe the slow pace of the novel also counts it out for me. I like a good page-turner or at least something that makes me want to turn the page, if you know what I mean. I'll pass on this one, but thanks for the great review!

todwyer01 · Post by **todwyer01** » 01 Jan 2021, 22:38

From a sampling, this seems like an interesting historical fiction novel following Kim Embon, the son of the Korean elite, who decides to study in Japan, but encounters a group of young revolutionaries that opens his eyes to the "oppression" from Japan. It might be worth a second look. Well done.

Onyenwani 123 · Post by **Onyenwani 123** » 01 Jan 2021, 22:45

The review is just an explicit one and I like it.

Susmita Biswas · Post by **Susmita Biswas** » 01 Jan 2021, 22:48

The Vanished by Pejay Bradley is a novel based on Korean independence. The story of a boy living a luxurious life shows us some bitter truth. Thanks for this wonderful book's free copy. #BOTD.