Pachinko (パチンコ) is a mixture of slot machine and pinball. The player is quite passive while playing pachinko and mainly controls the speed with which many small steel balls are thrown into the machine. Pachinko (パチンコ) is a type of mechanical game originating in Japan and is used as both a form of recreational arcade game and much more frequently as a gambling device, filling a Japanese gambling niche comparable to that of the slot machine in Western gambling. Brilliant chrome and a flashy playfield make this 1972 Nishijin M-11stand out from the pack. It is an excellent pachinko machine perfect for home. Pachinko, the sophomore novel by the gifted Korean-born Min Jin Lee, is the kind of book that can open your eyes and fill them with tears at the same time. Pachinko, for those not in the know, is.
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Deborah I think the game of Pachinko represented life for the Koreans in Japan. There was always the hope that they would have good luck--but, as with the pac…moreI think the game of Pachinko represented life for the Koreans in Japan. There was always the hope that they would have good luck--but, as with the pachinko machines in the novel, someone was always making little adjustments to make sure that they never won. (less)
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PriyamvadaBecause somehow the game of Pachinko and the story of Sunja are correlated. The idea may not occur while reading the book, but once you have finished …moreBecause somehow the game of Pachinko and the story of Sunja are correlated. The idea may not occur while reading the book, but once you have finished it, you'd realise how similar the blueprint of Sunja's life had been to that of the game. Now, Pachinko, as a rule, is not entirely a game of chance - it requires technique and observation (Ofc, that matters only when you've got some luck in your pocket). Sunja's trysts with Hansu were a result of her chance encounter with the bullys. Osaka had been a dream to her, which eventually became the birthplace of her nightmares. Her survival during the war, the changes in the life of her sons, and her relations could all be attributed to chance, yet not entirely - exactly like Pachinko.
Moreover, as a game banned during the world war II, Pachinko thrived and flourished in Japan after it's nadir. But it was largely associated to the rise of Yakuza or Japanese mafia. Since the game was never considered equivalent to gambling, the parlors became a mecca for criminal activities, prostitution and unpaid taxes. All in all, it could hardly be considered a decent job during the time. However, it could put more than food on people's palates, and was the only field where the Koreans could associate with the Japanese on an equal footing. Undoubtedly, such parlors became a haven for the war-torn Koreans, who had lost seemingly everything. And as long as one had riches, what did it matter if the job weren't decent? But the then Japan held many prejudices against those parlors and the Koreans. Lee has brought out the fact that all of them weren't bees of the same hive sticking to criminal activities. Had it not been for Pachinko, Sunja's sons would have never survived. Even the righteous Noa was compelled to take it up as his means of livelihood. And as the author has related, 'history had failed them' so they had to detach themselves from history's favoritisms. In the end, Sunja and the people related to her couldn't be called fortunate though they did turn out to be so more than most of the Koreans. What do you call such a life with huge losses that can neither outshine your gains nor underwhelm their importance? Gambling. Perhaps, Pachinko.
(less)
Moreover, as a game banned during the world war II, Pachinko thrived and flourished in Japan after it's nadir. But it was largely associated to the rise of Yakuza or Japanese mafia. Since the game was never considered equivalent to gambling, the parlors became a mecca for criminal activities, prostitution and unpaid taxes. All in all, it could hardly be considered a decent job during the time. However, it could put more than food on people's palates, and was the only field where the Koreans could associate with the Japanese on an equal footing. Undoubtedly, such parlors became a haven for the war-torn Koreans, who had lost seemingly everything. And as long as one had riches, what did it matter if the job weren't decent? But the then Japan held many prejudices against those parlors and the Koreans. Lee has brought out the fact that all of them weren't bees of the same hive sticking to criminal activities. Had it not been for Pachinko, Sunja's sons would have never survived. Even the righteous Noa was compelled to take it up as his means of livelihood. And as the author has related, 'history had failed them' so they had to detach themselves from history's favoritisms. In the end, Sunja and the people related to her couldn't be called fortunate though they did turn out to be so more than most of the Koreans. What do you call such a life with huge losses that can neither outshine your gains nor underwhelm their importance? Gambling. Perhaps, Pachinko.
(less)
This question contains spoilers…(view spoiler)[I don't get why Noa killed himself after his mother's visit. Did it remind him of his ancestry? Earlier we learn that he doesn't want his wife and kids to know he's Korean to keep them safe, so then why kill yourself and leave them without a father? (hide spoiler)]
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Nenad NesicThis answer contains spoilers…(view spoiler)[ Other commenters explained well why he killed himself.. in-universe. But I think it's also interesting to look why he had to die from an outside pers…more Other commenters explained well why he killed himself.. in-universe. But I think it's also interesting to look why he had to die from an outside perspective. Don't get me wrong, I was sad af that Noa died, but I think his death is a stroke of writing genius on Min Jin Lee's part.
Because, I think, Noa's main problem, you could even call it fatal flaw (in the spirit of literary analysis) is that he took what others thought of him too personally. Which I believe is at the root of what drew him into suicide. I don't think he didn't care for his family, including Sunja. But he was too sensitive. The novel says as much at one point:
'Noa had been a sensitive child who had believed that if he followed all the rules and was the best, then somehow the hostile world would change its mind. His death may have been her fault for having allowed him to believe in such cruel ideals.'
He followed the rules, but when faced with the fact that there is no way to win according to the world's rules, he kills himself. He had to die to show that this is not the way to go.
His foil is his (half-nephew?) Solomon. *He* is the first in the family line who completely frees himself from this fatal flaw, and that's why he thrives. And I don't think merely in the material sense of the word, or that he (merely) survives. Or that he survives for doing something wrong. Gambling is legal, after all. The people who gamble made their choice, as did he, as did Noa. He will live a balanced and happy life, I expect.
'Why don't you want me to do this?'
'I sent you to those American schools so that no one would—' Mozasu paused. 'No one is going to look down at my son.'
'Papa, it doesn't matter. None of it matters, nee?'
Solomon plays according to his own rules. And that's the whole character arc, scratch that, *family* arc of the novel. It's what I thought was the novel's main arc/point. And it's brilliant.(less)(hide spoiler)]
Because, I think, Noa's main problem, you could even call it fatal flaw (in the spirit of literary analysis) is that he took what others thought of him too personally. Which I believe is at the root of what drew him into suicide. I don't think he didn't care for his family, including Sunja. But he was too sensitive. The novel says as much at one point:
'Noa had been a sensitive child who had believed that if he followed all the rules and was the best, then somehow the hostile world would change its mind. His death may have been her fault for having allowed him to believe in such cruel ideals.'
He followed the rules, but when faced with the fact that there is no way to win according to the world's rules, he kills himself. He had to die to show that this is not the way to go.
His foil is his (half-nephew?) Solomon. *He* is the first in the family line who completely frees himself from this fatal flaw, and that's why he thrives. And I don't think merely in the material sense of the word, or that he (merely) survives. Or that he survives for doing something wrong. Gambling is legal, after all. The people who gamble made their choice, as did he, as did Noa. He will live a balanced and happy life, I expect.
'Why don't you want me to do this?'
'I sent you to those American schools so that no one would—' Mozasu paused. 'No one is going to look down at my son.'
'Papa, it doesn't matter. None of it matters, nee?'
Solomon plays according to his own rules. And that's the whole character arc, scratch that, *family* arc of the novel. It's what I thought was the novel's main arc/point. And it's brilliant.(less)(hide spoiler)]
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This question contains spoilers…(view spoiler)[What did you make of Koh Hansu versus Yoseb? For much of the book, I couldn't quite understand why there was such uncomplicated hatred for Hansu. Most likely, he saved everybody's life, multiple times and in multiple ways. It is only toward the end that the author includes a very vivid example of his brutality, which I imagine was deliberate––maybe to shame anyone for feeling tacitly supportive of him? (hide spoiler)]
Deborah I think the game of Pachinko represented life for the Koreans in Japan. There was always the hope that they would have good luck--but, as with the pac…moreI think the game of Pachinko represented life for the Koreans in Japan. There was always the hope that they would have good luck--but, as with the pachinko machines in the novel, someone was always making little adjustments to make sure that they never won. (less)
Pachinko&slot King塩尻店
PriyamvadaBecause somehow the game of Pachinko and the story of Sunja are correlated. The idea may not occur while reading the book, but once you have finished …moreBecause somehow the game of Pachinko and the story of Sunja are correlated. The idea may not occur while reading the book, but once you have finished it, you'd realise how similar the blueprint of Sunja's life had been to that of the game. Now, Pachinko, as a rule, is not entirely a game of chance - it requires technique and observation (Ofc, that matters only when you've got some luck in your pocket). Sunja's trysts with Hansu were a result of her chance encounter with the bullys. Osaka had been a dream to her, which eventually became the birthplace of her nightmares. Her survival during the war, the changes in the life of her sons, and her relations could all be attributed to chance, yet not entirely - exactly like Pachinko.
Moreover, as a game banned during the world war II, Pachinko thrived and flourished in Japan after it's nadir. But it was largely associated to the rise of Yakuza or Japanese mafia. Since the game was never considered equivalent to gambling, the parlors became a mecca for criminal activities, prostitution and unpaid taxes. All in all, it could hardly be considered a decent job during the time. However, it could put more than food on people's palates, and was the only field where the Koreans could associate with the Japanese on an equal footing. Undoubtedly, such parlors became a haven for the war-torn Koreans, who had lost seemingly everything. And as long as one had riches, what did it matter if the job weren't decent? But the then Japan held many prejudices against those parlors and the Koreans. Lee has brought out the fact that all of them weren't bees of the same hive sticking to criminal activities. Had it not been for Pachinko, Sunja's sons would have never survived. Even the righteous Noa was compelled to take it up as his means of livelihood. And as the author has related, 'history had failed them' so they had to detach themselves from history's favoritisms. In the end, Sunja and the people related to her couldn't be called fortunate though they did turn out to be so more than most of the Koreans. What do you call such a life with huge losses that can neither outshine your gains nor underwhelm their importance? Gambling. Perhaps, Pachinko.
(less)
Moreover, as a game banned during the world war II, Pachinko thrived and flourished in Japan after it's nadir. But it was largely associated to the rise of Yakuza or Japanese mafia. Since the game was never considered equivalent to gambling, the parlors became a mecca for criminal activities, prostitution and unpaid taxes. All in all, it could hardly be considered a decent job during the time. However, it could put more than food on people's palates, and was the only field where the Koreans could associate with the Japanese on an equal footing. Undoubtedly, such parlors became a haven for the war-torn Koreans, who had lost seemingly everything. And as long as one had riches, what did it matter if the job weren't decent? But the then Japan held many prejudices against those parlors and the Koreans. Lee has brought out the fact that all of them weren't bees of the same hive sticking to criminal activities. Had it not been for Pachinko, Sunja's sons would have never survived. Even the righteous Noa was compelled to take it up as his means of livelihood. And as the author has related, 'history had failed them' so they had to detach themselves from history's favoritisms. In the end, Sunja and the people related to her couldn't be called fortunate though they did turn out to be so more than most of the Koreans. What do you call such a life with huge losses that can neither outshine your gains nor underwhelm their importance? Gambling. Perhaps, Pachinko.
(less)
This question contains spoilers…(view spoiler)[I don't get why Noa killed himself after his mother's visit. Did it remind him of his ancestry? Earlier we learn that he doesn't want his wife and kids to know he's Korean to keep them safe, so then why kill yourself and leave them without a father? (hide spoiler)]
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Nenad NesicThis answer contains spoilers…(view spoiler)[ Other commenters explained well why he killed himself.. in-universe. But I think it's also interesting to look why he had to die from an outside pers…more Other commenters explained well why he killed himself.. in-universe. But I think it's also interesting to look why he had to die from an outside perspective. Don't get me wrong, I was sad af that Noa died, but I think his death is a stroke of writing genius on Min Jin Lee's part.
Because, I think, Noa's main problem, you could even call it fatal flaw (in the spirit of literary analysis) is that he took what others thought of him too personally. Which I believe is at the root of what drew him into suicide. I don't think he didn't care for his family, including Sunja. But he was too sensitive. The novel says as much at one point:
'Noa had been a sensitive child who had believed that if he followed all the rules and was the best, then somehow the hostile world would change its mind. His death may have been her fault for having allowed him to believe in such cruel ideals.'
He followed the rules, but when faced with the fact that there is no way to win according to the world's rules, he kills himself. He had to die to show that this is not the way to go.
His foil is his (half-nephew?) Solomon. *He* is the first in the family line who completely frees himself from this fatal flaw, and that's why he thrives. And I don't think merely in the material sense of the word, or that he (merely) survives. Or that he survives for doing something wrong. Gambling is legal, after all. The people who gamble made their choice, as did he, as did Noa. He will live a balanced and happy life, I expect.
'Why don't you want me to do this?'
'I sent you to those American schools so that no one would—' Mozasu paused. 'No one is going to look down at my son.'
'Papa, it doesn't matter. None of it matters, nee?'
Solomon plays according to his own rules. And that's the whole character arc, scratch that, *family* arc of the novel. It's what I thought was the novel's main arc/point. And it's brilliant.(less)(hide spoiler)]
Because, I think, Noa's main problem, you could even call it fatal flaw (in the spirit of literary analysis) is that he took what others thought of him too personally. Which I believe is at the root of what drew him into suicide. I don't think he didn't care for his family, including Sunja. But he was too sensitive. The novel says as much at one point:
'Noa had been a sensitive child who had believed that if he followed all the rules and was the best, then somehow the hostile world would change its mind. His death may have been her fault for having allowed him to believe in such cruel ideals.'
He followed the rules, but when faced with the fact that there is no way to win according to the world's rules, he kills himself. He had to die to show that this is not the way to go.
His foil is his (half-nephew?) Solomon. *He* is the first in the family line who completely frees himself from this fatal flaw, and that's why he thrives. And I don't think merely in the material sense of the word, or that he (merely) survives. Or that he survives for doing something wrong. Gambling is legal, after all. The people who gamble made their choice, as did he, as did Noa. He will live a balanced and happy life, I expect.
'Why don't you want me to do this?'
'I sent you to those American schools so that no one would—' Mozasu paused. 'No one is going to look down at my son.'
'Papa, it doesn't matter. None of it matters, nee?'
Solomon plays according to his own rules. And that's the whole character arc, scratch that, *family* arc of the novel. It's what I thought was the novel's main arc/point. And it's brilliant.(less)(hide spoiler)]
Pachinko&slot キング会館上田店
This question contains spoilers…(view spoiler)[What did you make of Koh Hansu versus Yoseb? For much of the book, I couldn't quite understand why there was such uncomplicated hatred for Hansu. Most likely, he saved everybody's life, multiple times and in multiple ways. It is only toward the end that the author includes a very vivid example of his brutality, which I imagine was deliberate––maybe to shame anyone for feeling tacitly supportive of him? (hide spoiler)]
PhoebeYoseb, on the other hand, deeply angered me throughout the book: the way he controlled his wife, the way he fought with and forbid the women from impr…moreYoseb, on the other hand, deeply angered me throughout the book: the way he controlled his wife, the way he fought with and forbid the women from improving their own destinies. I realize he's meant to be 'of his time,' but when he wasn't being condescending and stubborn, he was just a straight-up burden on the family. I wonder if this idea of villainy, and who is really hurting versus helping the family, is meant to be complicated by Yoseb's character. (less)
This question contains spoilers…(view spoiler)[It was disturbing - Noa's track. Any thoughts on what he was going through? What happened to his family after his suicide? Also, the last scene showed Sunja finding out that he used to visit the Isak's grave every week, so she buries his keyring in the cemetery itself. Why? (hide spoiler)]
PamNoa examplified being a law abiding, good guy who wanted to live up and surpass his father's legacy as a Good Korean.
To do so he was taught that a Go…moreNoa examplified being a law abiding, good guy who wanted to live up and surpass his father's legacy as a Good Korean.
To do so he was taught that a Good Korean wasn't allowed to cheat or shirk his duties. This is exemplified when as a child he was unable to skip school for any reason, even his own father's death. This guidance was then seconded by Hansu when he said that he was behind in his studies and needed to study so that he could be a Good Korean. He had to make something of himself, he had to prove to every racist; every person who had a grudge, that he was a decent Korean.
And for a long time he prided himself on believeing he was succeeeding. He believed that hard work, talent, and a large amount of luck was making a difference.
Then he discovered not only was his girlfriend with him because she pitied him and treated him as her own personal vendetta against her parents, but then that he wasn't the son of a martyr. Worse, he was the son of a stinking collborator. This is akin to thinking you were son of God only to find out that you were the son of the Devil instead.
To him, this meant that no matter how hard he worked, no matter how hard he strove he was still never going to be a Good Korean.
So when he left; he rejected the idea of ever becoming a Good Korean. He rejected the idea that such a unicorn could ever exists. So as he 'fell from grace'; he rejected his countryman taking on the Japanese culture; he rejected his stance on pachinko - thinking he was already dirty might as well become dirtier; and he rejected love. He essentially, became Hansu's son; who lived, worked, and bred with Japanese.
So when Sunja comes to see him; he said it was a relief. He finally didn't have to hide, no longer had to pretend to be something he wasn't. And that's the crux. He could no longer be the Good Korean, but a part of him also could no longer be Hansu's son, too. He couldn't be either.
So why did he keep visiting the grave? I'm not sure.
- does this mean he was trying to reconcile his life with the one person he respected the most?
- Was he trying so desperately to understand what his father would do in this situation?
- Was he having a more Biblical moment with his father?
I think Lee left it open for us to decide ourselves(less)
To do so he was taught that a Go…moreNoa examplified being a law abiding, good guy who wanted to live up and surpass his father's legacy as a Good Korean.
To do so he was taught that a Good Korean wasn't allowed to cheat or shirk his duties. This is exemplified when as a child he was unable to skip school for any reason, even his own father's death. This guidance was then seconded by Hansu when he said that he was behind in his studies and needed to study so that he could be a Good Korean. He had to make something of himself, he had to prove to every racist; every person who had a grudge, that he was a decent Korean.
And for a long time he prided himself on believeing he was succeeeding. He believed that hard work, talent, and a large amount of luck was making a difference.
Then he discovered not only was his girlfriend with him because she pitied him and treated him as her own personal vendetta against her parents, but then that he wasn't the son of a martyr. Worse, he was the son of a stinking collborator. This is akin to thinking you were son of God only to find out that you were the son of the Devil instead.
To him, this meant that no matter how hard he worked, no matter how hard he strove he was still never going to be a Good Korean.
So when he left; he rejected the idea of ever becoming a Good Korean. He rejected the idea that such a unicorn could ever exists. So as he 'fell from grace'; he rejected his countryman taking on the Japanese culture; he rejected his stance on pachinko - thinking he was already dirty might as well become dirtier; and he rejected love. He essentially, became Hansu's son; who lived, worked, and bred with Japanese.
So when Sunja comes to see him; he said it was a relief. He finally didn't have to hide, no longer had to pretend to be something he wasn't. And that's the crux. He could no longer be the Good Korean, but a part of him also could no longer be Hansu's son, too. He couldn't be either.
So why did he keep visiting the grave? I'm not sure.
- does this mean he was trying to reconcile his life with the one person he respected the most?
- Was he trying so desperately to understand what his father would do in this situation?
- Was he having a more Biblical moment with his father?
I think Lee left it open for us to decide ourselves(less)
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