I found so many reasons to love this powerful little book that is ultimately the universal story of a mother's pain, suffering, sorrow, burden and most important of all - a mother's love.
I may not be a South Korean woman from rural farmland, but I found so very many similarities between the relationships and the situations of this family. This book couldn't have found me at a better time. You see, my own mother is growing older, and with that comes a slew of health problems, both physical and mental. My mother has always been my best friend and she always will be. But our relationship has grown strained as she has aged. Sometimes she's a lot to deal with, as I'm sure I have sometimes been a lot for her to deal with, especially when I was younger. At first this book had me feeling extremely guilty and extremely sad because I, just like everyone else who has ever had a mother, do not always handle her with the utmost love and affection that she deserves. It's just human nature. It's not possible to always be perfect.
But anyway, I do think that this book has made me change the way that I see my mother. Every time I find myself losing patience with her, this book springs to mind and my mindset instantly changes. It makes me want to hold my mother tighter, treat her better and love her as much as I can while she is still here... because let's face it, one day she will be gone and I will be sorry.
Annnd here come the tears again. Somebody hold me.
Ugh, I had to stop writing to wipe the tears from my eyes.
The point I'm trying to get at is, please read this book. If you have a mother, please read this book.
A quick note on the actual writing of the story, it was gorgeous. I particularly loved the genius way that the author chose to switch perspectives and POVs of each part of the book. It really made it all the more impactful, I think.