"The Island of Sea Women" by Lisa See - Historical Fiction Book Club - Past Titles

The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See

About the Author: Lisa See

Lisa See is an American author known for her novels exploring themes of Chinese and Chinese-American history, culture, and identity. She has gained recognition for her compelling storytelling and meticulous research into the rich tapestry of Chinese history.

Full Name: Lisa See

Birthdate: February 18, 1955

Background:

Lisa See was born in Paris, France, but grew up in Los Angeles, California.
She is of Chinese-American descent, and her Chinese heritage has been a significant influence on her writing.

Literary Career:

Lisa See began her writing career as a freelance journalist and has contributed to various publications, including The New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and Vogue.
Her debut novel, "Flower Net," was published in 1997 and marked the beginning of her exploration of Chinese and Chinese-American themes in fiction.
See is known for her extensive research and immersive storytelling, bringing historical and cultural narratives to life.

Notable Works:

"Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" (2005): This novel explores the deep and enduring friendship between two women in 19th-century China and the challenges they face in a patriarchal society.
"Shanghai Girls" (2009): The novel follows the lives of two sisters who leave Shanghai for Los Angeles in the 1930s, addressing themes of immigration and identity.
"Dreams of Joy" (2011): A sequel to "Shanghai Girls," this novel continues the story of the two sisters against the backdrop of Maoist China.
"The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane" (2017): This novel delves into the life of a young Akha ethnic minority woman in China and her journey to the United States. It explores themes of identity, adoption, and cultural heritage.
"The Island of Sea Women" (2019): Set on the Korean island of Jeju, the novel explores the complex friendship and divergent paths of two women over many decades, against the backdrop of historical events.

Recognition and Achievements:

Lisa See's novels have been widely acclaimed for their storytelling, historical accuracy, and cultural depth.
She has been a New York Times bestselling author multiple times.

Community Involvement:

Lisa See is involved in various literary and cultural organizations. She has served as a Los Angeles City Commissioner.

Legacy:

Lisa See's works contribute to a broader understanding of Chinese and Chinese-American history and culture. Her novels often depict the complexities of relationships, family, and societal changes.

MLN Materials

book
large print book
playaway
spoken CD

Audiobook Versions

Libby

Ebook Versions

Libby

Synopsis

Mi-ja and Young-sook, two girls living on the Korean island of Jeju, are best friends that come from very different backgrounds. When they are old enough, they begin working in the sea with their village's all-female diving collective, led by Young-sook's mother. As the girls take up their positions as baby divers, they know they are beginning a life of excitement and responsibility but also danger. Despite their love for each other, Mi-ja and Young-sook's differences are impossible to ignore. The Island of Sea Women is an epoch set over many decades, beginning during a period of Japanese colonialism in the 1930s and 1940s, followed by World War II, the Korean War and its aftermath, through the era of cell phones and wet suits for the women divers. Throughout this time, the residents of Jeju find themselves caught between warring empires. Mi-ja is the daughter of a Japanese collaborator, and she will forever be marked by this association. Young-sook was born into a long line of haenyeo and will inherit her mother's position leading the divers in their village. Little do the two friends know that after surviving hundreds of dives and developing the closest of bonds, forces outside their control will push their friendship to the breaking point. This beautiful, thoughtful novel illuminates a world turned upside down, one where the women are in charge, engaging in dangerous physical work, and the men take care of the children. A classic Lisa See story--one of women's friendships and the larger forces that shape them-- The Island of Sea Women introduces readers to the fierce and unforgettable female divers of Jeju Island and the dramatic history that shaped their lives.

Historical Timeline

Jeju, officially known as Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, is a picturesque island located off the southern coast of South Korea. It has a rich history and unique cultural heritage. Here is an overview of the history of Jeju:

Prehistoric and Ancient Periods:

Archaeological evidence suggests that Jeju has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with artifacts dating back to the Neolithic era.
The island was home to the Tamna Kingdom, an ancient kingdom that existed from around the 1st to 12th centuries. It had its own distinct culture and political structure.

Goryeo and Joseon Dynasties:

Jeju became part of the Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392) and later the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897) of Korea.
During the Joseon Dynasty, Jeju was often used as a place of exile for political prisoners.

Japanese Occupation:

Jeju, like the rest of Korea, came under Japanese rule in 1910 following the annexation of Korea by Japan. During this period, the islanders faced cultural suppression and economic exploitation.
Jeju was a base for Korean laborers who were sent to Japan to work during World War II.

Post-World War II and Division:

After Japan's defeat in World War II, Korea was liberated, and Jeju became part of the newly liberated South Korea.
The division of Korea into North and South in 1945 had significant consequences for Jeju, as it was now located near the tense border between the two Koreas.

Jeju Uprising (1948-1954):

Jeju was the site of a tragic incident known as the Jeju Uprising, which occurred in the late 1940s and early 1950s. It was a rebellion against the newly established Republic of Korea government, and it resulted in significant loss of life, with estimates of casualties ranging from tens of thousands to over 30,000 people.

Modern Era:

In 2002, Jeju was designated as a special self-governing province, giving it more autonomy in local governance.
The island has become a popular tourist destination, known for its natural beauty, unique culture, and UNESCO-listed sites like Hallasan Mountain and Manjanggul Cave.

Cultural Aspects:

Jeju has a distinct cultural heritage, including its own dialect (Jeju language) and unique traditions such as the haenyeo (female free divers) who are known for their skill in harvesting seafood without the use of diving equipment.

Tourism and Development:

In recent decades, Jeju has experienced significant economic development, driven in part by tourism. The island is known for its volcanic landscapes, waterfalls, beaches, and cultural attractions.

Jeju's history reflects its resilience and the enduring spirit of its people. The island's unique cultural heritage and natural beauty continue to make it a fascinating destination with a rich historical background.

The Mermaid from Jeju by Sumi Hahn
Call Number: FICTION Hahn
Inspired by true events on Korea's Jeju Island, Sumi Hahn's "entrancing debut novel, brimming with lyricism and magic" (Jennifer Rosner, The Yellow Bird Sings ) explores what it means to truly love in the wake of devastation. In the aftermath of World War II, Goh Junja is a girl just coming into her own. She is the latest successful deep sea diver in a family of strong haenyeo. Confident she is a woman now, Junja urges her mother to allow her to make the Goh family's annual trip to Mt. Halla, where they trade abalone and other sea delicacies for pork. Junja, a sea village girl, has never been to the mountains, where it smells like mushrooms and earth. While there, she falls in love with a mountain boy Yang Suwol, who rescues her after a particularly harrowing journey. But when Junja returns one day later, it is just in time to see her mother take her last breath, beaten by the waves during a dive she was taking in Junja's place. Spiraling in grief, Junja sees her younger siblings sent to live with their estranged father. Everywhere she turns, Junja is haunted by the loss of her mother, from the meticulously tended herb garden that has now begun to sprout weeds, to the field where their bed sheets are beaten. She has only her grandmother and herself. But the world moves on without Junja. The political climate is perilous. Still reeling from Japan's forced withdrawal from the peninsula, Korea is forced to accommodate the rapid establishment of US troops. Junja's canny grandmother, who lived through the Japanese invasion that led to Korea's occupation understands the signs of danger all too well. When Suwol is arrested for working with and harboring communists, and the perils of post-WWII overtake her homelands, Junja must learn to navigate a tumultuous world unlike anything she's ever known.
Beasts of a Little Land by Juhea Kim
Call Number: FICTION Kim
In 1917, deep in the snowy mountains of occupied Korea, an impoverished local hunter on the brink of starvation saves a young Japanese officer from an attacking tiger. In an instant, their fates are connected--and from this encounter unfolds a saga that spans half a century. In the aftermath, a young girl named Jade is sold by her family to Miss Silver's courtesan school, an act of desperation that will cement her place in the lowest social status. When she befriends an orphan boy named JungHo, who scrapes together a living begging on the streets of Seoul, they form a deep friendship. As they come of age, JungHo is swept up in the revolutionary fight for independence, and Jade becomes a sought-after performer with a new romantic prospect of noble birth. Soon Jade must decide whether she will risk everything for the one who would do the same for her.
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
Call Number: FICTION Verghese
Spanning the years 1900 to 1977, The Covenant of Water is set in Kerala, on South India's Malabar Coast, and follows three generations of a family that suffers a peculiar affliction: in every generation, at least one person dies by drowning-and in Kerala, water is everywhere. At the turn of the century, a twelve-year-old girl from Kerala's long-existing Christian community, grieving the death of her father, is sent by boat to her wedding, where she will meet her forty-year-old husband for the first time. From this unforgettable new beginning, the young girl--and future matriarch, known as Big Ammachi--will witness unthinkable changes over the span of her extraordinary life, full of joy and triumph as well as hardship and loss, her faith and love the only constants. A shimmering evocation of a bygone India and of the passage of time itself, The Covenant of Water is a hymn to progress in medicine and to human understanding, and a humbling testament to the difficulties undergone by past generations for the sake of those alive today. Imbued with humor, deep emotion, and the essence of life, it is one of the most masterful literary novels published in recent years.

Historical Fiction Book Club - Past Titles: "The Island of Sea Women" by Lisa See