Rating: 
Summary: Bad, bad writing!
Review: I could hardly plow through this book. I guess I should have been tipped off after going to hear Ms. Lee speak - someone asked her what books she liked or had influenced her writing, and she responded "I hardly ever read books." It shows.
Rating: 
Summary: Fabulous book...I couldn't put it down!
Review: I found the book truly engaging and quite fast paced. I am not Korean American, nor do I have any judgment on the validity of the history presented in the book, but for readability, I give this book an 8.
Rating:
Summary: Heavy subject yet enjoyable reading!
Review: I love reading about other cultures, preferably via storytelling. If you like to learn about other cultures this way, I highly suggest you read this book. I knew very little about the Korean culture before I read this book; now I'm eager to learn more! (The reason I gave it four stars instead of five is due to some minor editing issues.) However, that can definitely be overlooked!
Rating: 
Summary: This is an excellent book
Review: I originally picked up this book because I'm dating the author's little brother (that's probably unnecessary, but if that person from San Jose/S.F. can print the same review 3+ times under different names, I'll include whatever I want). I wasn't sure if I'd like it or not, because although I read incessantly, I am really picky about what I do read. This is an awesome book! I couldn't put it down, and promptly began pestering my mom to read it (she did and loved it as well). Not only is Ms. Lee's storytelling itself fluid and evocative, the tale behind it is incredible. . . all the more so because it is one family's true story. It opened my eyes to a culture I knew little about. This is an excellent book, and perfect testament to this is the fact that it is almost standard in Asian and/or Korean studies classes (though by no means is it assigned-reading dull). It transcends generations and cultures.
Rating:
Summary: The greatest book I can think of!!
Review: I read this book in two days. 'cause I coundln't put it down. I am Korean, but I didn't know much about Koren wars and stuff, 'cause It's really long ago-like even my mom wasn't born then. Through this book,I became to know our country's sorrowful past.And this book made me to love my country more.I just love this book!! I really want to meet the author sometime..
Rating:
Summary: Still Life With Rice
Review: I read this book while living in Korea, before reading this book I could not understand why the Koreans acted like they do,After reading this book it gave me a better understanding of their behavior of Foreigners, I still do not excuse their over all rudeness, just excuse it with kindness.
Rating:
Summary: Great introduction to Koreans and Korean-Americans
Review: I really loved this book. First, much of it is simply incredibly moving as a story about people, regardless of where and when, surviving some of the most challenging things life can throw one's way. And doing so with love and dignity. Secondly, Ms. Lee's account, though speaking of one family, covers so much of the experience that makes our Korean citizens and residents who they are: those parts of their remote past, their immediate past in Korea, and their sometimes difficult experiences here in the US. I loved the characters and learned human lessons from them, but I also learned a lot about members of a growing and important part of my own community here in Oakland, CA. Brava and "kamsa hamnida!", Ms. Lee.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book - great story
Review: I saw Helie Lee on Oprah in a show called "You were an Inspiration"."Still Life with Rice" is a beautifully written book. From the first page, I was hooked and could not stop until I was done. The triumphs and tragedies of Helie's grandmother were amazing testaments to the human spirit. I truly enjoyed reading this book. I am not Korean but it was wonderful to read of her life and how the Korean culture was several generations ago. After hearing Helie describe her uncle and grandmother's reunion after 40+ years, I knew I had to read both books. I am anxious to receive my copy of "In the absence of Sun" so I can find out how their reunion took place.
Rating:
Summary: Attention to all 1-1/2 Korean-Americans
Review: I suppose what I have to say may also apply to anyone with some knowledge of the Korean culture. Despite the rave reviews the book has received, I was very disappointed with the story. Compared to writings by other Asian Americans, i.e. Banana Yoshimoto, Changrae Lee, Ms. Lee's story telling skill needs a lot of work. So often I felt forced to feel sympathy or any kind of emotion instead of being drawn towards the characters and their situations, good or bad. Furthermore, there were a few things that made no sense: 1) how could a mother abandon her kids to live rather comfortably at the leper's colony even though the intention was noble, 2) how could this devout Christian woman practice healing method that seemed so anti-Christian (even though I was reading the book from a non-religious point of view)?, 3) Giving American names to kids born in Korea just because of their goal was to immigrate to the US made no sense, especially for characters who were described as such proud Koreans. Having an American name is a desire to assimilate, not to stand out, to be more easily accepted by the American culture. I am not critical of that desire since I have many friends who have American names but in the context of Ms. Lee's story, it made no sense. These were just a few things among many with which I had problems in the book. Overall, I think it was wonderful for her to finally appreciate what her grandmother went through but I think it was rather naive of her to generalize -- like non-Koreans often do -- that Koreans are proud, passionate people of incredible virture, hospitality, and mental strength. Those are human traits found in any race.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: It was a very realistic picture of what the people of North Korea had to endure during the war.
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