This sweeping National Book Award finalist follows four generations of a Korean family living in Japan, chronicling their struggles with identity, belonging, and survival across nearly a century. Lee crafts an epic tale of love, sacrifice, and resilience that illuminates the often-overlooked experiences of Korean immigrants in Japan. A masterful exploration of family, history, and the price of pursuing dreams in a homeland that refuses to accept you.

WHY WE PICKED IT
 Because stories of displacement and perseverance resonate across cultures and generations. Lee gives voice to a community whose experiences have been largely invisible in literature, creating a profound meditation on what it means to belong.