Review by mad3line -- The Vanished by Pejay Bradley
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mad3line
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- Latest Review: The Vanished by Pejay Bradley
Review by mad3line -- The Vanished by Pejay Bradley
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Vanished" by Pejay Bradley.]
The Vanished is a historical drama novel by Pejay Bradley set during the Japanese occupation of Korea and across pinnacle places and events that starred the Korean resistance and anti-Japanese movement of independence. The book tells the story of Kim Embon, from his privileged birth to a daughter of a prince of the Yi Dynasty in Seoul, Summer of 1912, to his finding nationalist resolution and joining the Korean resistance. The storyline, however, does not limit itself to Embon’s journey from a brilliant child to a young man of fiber. It rather allows the readers a journey of their own through Korea, the gradual downfall of nobility and some traditional values, the rise of the revolutionary sentiment that guides the exiled government, and through numerous tales and flashbacks from the distinct perspectives of its many crucial characters.
That is the prompt Pejay Bradley managed to execute magnificently throughout The Vanished. The narrative is entrancing, filled with beautiful, vivid descriptions (the Korean golden rice fields, the academic and youthful atmosphere of Sapporo, and the buzzing diversity of Shanghai, for example), and really sensitive storytelling and characterization. The author is careful to confer distinct personalities to our narrators, with a lot of emotion and depth to every personal story (from the birth of a child to the death of a dear friend) which the plotline comprises. All of which combine with Bradley’s detail-oriented construction of scenery and Korean culture, as well as her presentation of the geopolitical context of the time, to produce a simultaneously heartfelt and eye-opening story.
It is very difficult not to feel moved and engaged with the story and its characters, from the infinite strength and devotion of Lady Sougyun to the unmatched resolution of Hain and Yangwoo (whom I hope all of you get a chance to meet); it is a softly told tale of many tough themes, including sacrifice, family love and duty, political schemes, loss, and national loyalty, to mention a few. Moreover, it feels quite surprising and innovative to see the topic of the Japanese colonization in Korea come up and from the Korean perspective, since it is - in my limited experience - a much less talked about subject within Japanese Imperialism, and I daresay this book, with its unputdownable aspect, so masterfully written, represents a much-needed breath of fresh air, retrieving Eastern history into the current Western literary scene.
Needless to say, I loved the book. I could not point to anything I disliked and, along with all I have cited above, it also appears to have been professionally edited, something a reader always appreciates. I felt that its pacing and rising tension fit the genre perfectly and readers that already know and love their historical dramas would certainly have nothing to complain about, but perhaps different audiences might find the book a little slow-paced. Other than that, it is a wonderful book that the reader can connect with and have that great immersive experience we all look forward to when diving into a new read.
That being said, I rated this book 4 out of 4 stars, since it was a truly exceptional book, one I quite enjoyed reading, and by the end of which I felt like I couldn’t have asked for anything else. Unsurprisingly, I absolutely recommend it, and especially for those who already like the genre, those who appreciate the more artistic and carefully crafted writing, and who enjoy plots that rely on and embrace the psychological and subjective aspects of the story to keep the wheels in motion. On the other hand, if you prefer more fast-paced and action-packed stories or more romance-centered dramas, be aware that this may not be your kind of book, though I would encourage you to try it out if you want to look into different genres, since The Vanished is a delightful exemplary.
******
The Vanished
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The Vanished is a historical drama novel by Pejay Bradley set during the Japanese occupation of Korea and across pinnacle places and events that starred the Korean resistance and anti-Japanese movement of independence. The book tells the story of Kim Embon, from his privileged birth to a daughter of a prince of the Yi Dynasty in Seoul, Summer of 1912, to his finding nationalist resolution and joining the Korean resistance. The storyline, however, does not limit itself to Embon’s journey from a brilliant child to a young man of fiber. It rather allows the readers a journey of their own through Korea, the gradual downfall of nobility and some traditional values, the rise of the revolutionary sentiment that guides the exiled government, and through numerous tales and flashbacks from the distinct perspectives of its many crucial characters.
That is the prompt Pejay Bradley managed to execute magnificently throughout The Vanished. The narrative is entrancing, filled with beautiful, vivid descriptions (the Korean golden rice fields, the academic and youthful atmosphere of Sapporo, and the buzzing diversity of Shanghai, for example), and really sensitive storytelling and characterization. The author is careful to confer distinct personalities to our narrators, with a lot of emotion and depth to every personal story (from the birth of a child to the death of a dear friend) which the plotline comprises. All of which combine with Bradley’s detail-oriented construction of scenery and Korean culture, as well as her presentation of the geopolitical context of the time, to produce a simultaneously heartfelt and eye-opening story.
It is very difficult not to feel moved and engaged with the story and its characters, from the infinite strength and devotion of Lady Sougyun to the unmatched resolution of Hain and Yangwoo (whom I hope all of you get a chance to meet); it is a softly told tale of many tough themes, including sacrifice, family love and duty, political schemes, loss, and national loyalty, to mention a few. Moreover, it feels quite surprising and innovative to see the topic of the Japanese colonization in Korea come up and from the Korean perspective, since it is - in my limited experience - a much less talked about subject within Japanese Imperialism, and I daresay this book, with its unputdownable aspect, so masterfully written, represents a much-needed breath of fresh air, retrieving Eastern history into the current Western literary scene.
Needless to say, I loved the book. I could not point to anything I disliked and, along with all I have cited above, it also appears to have been professionally edited, something a reader always appreciates. I felt that its pacing and rising tension fit the genre perfectly and readers that already know and love their historical dramas would certainly have nothing to complain about, but perhaps different audiences might find the book a little slow-paced. Other than that, it is a wonderful book that the reader can connect with and have that great immersive experience we all look forward to when diving into a new read.
That being said, I rated this book 4 out of 4 stars, since it was a truly exceptional book, one I quite enjoyed reading, and by the end of which I felt like I couldn’t have asked for anything else. Unsurprisingly, I absolutely recommend it, and especially for those who already like the genre, those who appreciate the more artistic and carefully crafted writing, and who enjoy plots that rely on and embrace the psychological and subjective aspects of the story to keep the wheels in motion. On the other hand, if you prefer more fast-paced and action-packed stories or more romance-centered dramas, be aware that this may not be your kind of book, though I would encourage you to try it out if you want to look into different genres, since The Vanished is a delightful exemplary.
******
The Vanished
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Vanished by Pejay Bradley
