The author has taken the side of Korea. Is it justifiable?

[Sushan Ekanayake]

To be honest, I was curious when reading the novel, about the Japanese perspective, especially since I knew nothing about the occupation or culture of Japan. However, the author is Korean, and so I think it is natural to write from the Korean perspective. Perhaps if a Japanese person wrote it they would write from theirs

The author being a Korean made the book in its way. And some might see it as a fair way to represent her own country in her book as well. But it might have changed the historical facts a bit in order to vilify Japan. And the reader might develop undue hatred towards Japan and the Japanese

[Sushan Ekanayake]

Japan invading Korea is a historical fact. Of course it's justifiable. And it didn't drive me not just against one country—it drove me further against their destructive ideals: imperialism.

That is exactly my point. So you were driven against a country. Your thoughts are changed against Japan. That might be the affect on any reader who is reading this book. That is why I raised this point whether it is okay for the author to take the side of Korea and vilify Japan

[jeanmtdb]

Pejay Bradley is Korean and this is her view of history. Any invaders are seen as villains by the people of the country they occupy. I think the author is justified. I'm sure that any Japanese authors telling this tale will slant the bias in favor of the Japanese - and that would be justified also. These are opinions.

[Swirliegirlie]

This didn't occur to me actually and maybe its because I knew it was a story. It is a fiction story told from the perspective of Koreans during that time. They probably did feel a certain way towards the invasion and it was enjoyable to see inside their way of thinking.

[Dominik_G]

As this is a piece of fiction (and not historical non-fiction, which should be objective), I think it's absolutely justifiable that the author took Korea's side. The main characters are Korean, so it seems natural and logical.

[Kasun Perera]

The author is a Korean. So she has told the story from their point of view. There can be unnecessarily biased details towards Korea which vilifies Japan. Yet, I can't see any fault of an author being patriotic and writing the good side of her own country

[Jasy95]

As the saying goes, "History is written by the victors". But in this case, it's more like "History is written by the author". I think every author is going to have their own internal biases, just like every person does. In any war, both sides think that they are not at fault and see the other side as the enemy.
I think it's a good thing to read things from perspectives of both sides, whether or not you agree with them, because it helps to open your mind and realize what this experience of war could have been like for those in each country.

[simodeeh]

We do not expect him to side with the Japanese, he comes from Korea so it is obvious he has to defend his homeland. I guess the Japanese has their version also on how things were back then

[Laura Britos]

The novel elaborates on the Koreans' perspective regarding the Japanese occupation. In other words, the vilification is expected and justifiable. As for me, the novel did not turn me against Japan. It practically made me curious to read more on the state of international affairs at the time of the story. Besides, the Koreans are not portrayed all in white either. The author often emphasizes the flaws and weaknesses of Korean society.

I believe that what you are saying is really important. It is necessary for authors to often maintain natural when writing about historical topics or something so volatile since it might have on impact on readers. Everything that we read, whether it is fiction or not impacts on the way we perceive certain topics. So not being biased when writing blows readers to think for themselves.

[RachelEmmanuel]

Every culture has it's perspective on history. The stories we hear while growing up, the history of our ancestors shape our view about heroes and villains of history. The author's views are shaped by her history and she is entitled to them.

[Bookishkrish24]

This book shows the perspective of Korean people under Japanese dominion. But it never attempts to incite the readers to think that all Japanese people are the same. At the same time, the author also clearly points out complications within Korean society. Any Korean present at that time would think the same too. So it's quite natural for the author to depict the story from the Korean point of view.

[Sushan Ekanayake]

I personally don't feel driven to hate any country. If that is how it was, then we can't really change the past. Maybe it's just facts, and it all depends on how the current situation is. Things have changed now. I don't know their history, it is all just speculation.

It is not merely a speculation. There have been happenings. Maybe they are depicted accurately in the book or maybe they are exaggerated. But if the final outcome is hatred towards a country, that is not good. You haven't developed that, which is a good thing

[Deval Sodha]

The book is a historical fiction and I think the author can describe the tale as per her own opinion or perspective.
Still as she is a Korean native, might be completely aware of all the facts.

[sidra3192]

Ah, I thought so too at first. But then I realised. Its a story, a perspective. The author is entitled to tell it the way it was experienced. Sure, we could do without all that division in writings more and more. But for authenticity purposes, I think our authors work is justifiable

I love this response, it’s very true that the author, when writing a story, doesn’t owe an unbiased opinion. It’s up to the reader to acknowledge that there is this bias and they should make their own opinion

[Justine Ocsebio]

The author is writing about the struggle of the Korean people breaking free from the Japanese rule. The story is told from the perspectives of Koreans at the time, so it should be expected that the Japanese would be heavily vilified.