STILL LIFE WITH RICE

Rating:
Summary: a window to a courageous korean woman's life
Review: As a Korean-American who has little knowledge of the cultural history of Korea, I found Helie Lee's book both informative and entertaining. She did a good job protraying her grandmother as a courageous and strong woman. Her book gave me a renewed the respect for my Korean elders who are so often seen in America as helpless and weak because of their language and cultural barriers. I would recommend this book especially to those who are interested in life in Korea before the (Korean) war, but are estranged culturally, geographically, or linguistically from grandparents who would be able to account such expriences first hand. Helie Lee's book opened up a new dialog between my mother and me about her own life in Korea before immigration to the States and stories she had heard from her mother about Korea in the early 20th century.

Rating:
Summary: Thank you!
Review: As a mother myself, my heart broke reading this story of courage. Though the first chapter was more like a travel journal, the story became engrossing when grandmother's story took over. Though the writing is somewhat amatuerish at times, the story is none-the-less emotional and compelling. I learned a lot about life in Korea - a life we in America could not imagine. I heartily recommend this story of courage.

Rating:
Summary: Bad writing, embarrassing details
Review: As stated by others here, the writing is pretty bad especially at the beginning of the book. Aside from that, I also had a problem with Ms. Lee's descriptions of the some details of her grandmother's sexual life. Native Korean women especially the elderly tend not to speak openly and directly about their sex lives. Even the youth today, although more sexually active and liberal than their ancestors, still don't speak so bluntly about that area of their lives. Even if her grandmother is different and revealed that information to her, would she have wanted it published in a book? Also, since she is this devout Christian now, I would think she would want to hold back that information. So, my guess is that Ms. Lee just added those parts in to sell the book.

The reason this bothers me so much is not because of its explicit nature. If this were a work of fiction, it wouldn't bother me at all. It's because Ms. Lee claims her purpose in writing this novel is to show her admiration and respect for her grandmother. But, this intimate (and most likely made up)information seems insulting to her grandmother. Especially as a Korean-American, if I had to say something publicly about my grandmother (like in a novel for all to read), I would not say anything embarrassing about her. As a result, I feel insulted for the grandmother.

One other thing that bothered me a bit is her grandmother's excuse of moving to China and the States to be more Korean. I discussed this concept with native Koreans about the history of Koreans moving to China. Also, based on my knowledge of why Koreans move to the States, it appears that her reason sounds really nice, but I think it's a lie. Koreans generally move because they want more success and money. Especially in Ms. Lee's family's case, they were not in imminent danger and yet decided to move. Notice how rich and successful they become once they moved to China and the States (the reference to "expensive homes").

Rating:
Summary: Poorly written, contrived, melodramatic and hokey.
Review: It's a wonder how people (99% anonymous) can write glowing reviews of this book and throw around words casually like "compelling", "powerful", etc. It's also a shame to see people so blindly read the INTERPRETATION of what this woman read as being her grandmother's history.

Another point about this novel - Who cares! It's a book about her supposed discovery of her heritage, of which she researches, writes, gets published and gets paid for. Does your story really warrant a book? Why don't the lot of us do exactly as Ms. Lee does and discover our own lost heritage, write about it, and package it as our own [insert background title here]? Apparently since her publishing, the likes of which people strangely lap up and call "amazing", Lee is now on the lecture circuit, going from one university to another lecturing on this. Is this for real? Is she now a certified expert in Korean history? Do not pass Go, do not collect your PH.D in History, instead write a fictitious book based on archival information and go straight to expert? Give me a break. This book is contrived.


1/5 stars.

Rating:
Summary: Compelling Story
Review: Once you get past the poor literary style, "Still Life With Rice" is a compelling and fascinating story. Helie Lee brings to life a story that is common among many Koreans - the separation of family and suffering wrought by the Korean War. What I liked most about this book is its authenticity. The emotions evoked throughout the book seem genuine ranging from obnoxiousness to joy to hate and finally to love and hope. Despite running into a few cliches, Lee doesn't hide the fact that her grandmother was in the opium business, nor does she hide that this book is written from a subjective perspective. In addition, while this book isn't necessarily factual in regards to Korean history, it provides an insightful peek into Korean culture. Another interesting aspect of this book is that it humanizes North Koreans. North Korea and its people are not necessarily the evil monolith or "axis of evil" that some reduce it to.

But as I mentioned first, this book's literary style is really quite poor. The first chapter of this book deals with Lee's grandmother and mother trying to find a husband for her. This idea of "rotten fruit" should have somehow been tied into the conclusion along with Lee's final understanding of what it means to be a Korean in North America. Similarly, I didn't particularly care for the way Lee adapted the first person narrative for her grandmother. I think there are more sophisticated ways to adapt different narratives. Finally, while I sensed a feminist agenda throughout this book, Lee really needs to tighten up her understanding of feminism. While Korean culture seems to be played up and something to be proud of, Lee seems to contradict this pride with a disapproving tone vis-a-vis wives belonging to their husbands and in-laws. Sure, this might seem bad, but does Lee really need to take up a Western style feminism?

Rating:
Summary: Typically Straight Talk About Koreans by A Korean Woman
Review: STILL LIFE WITH RICE is a breath of fresh air blasting into a staid room. Not only is the language straightforward and frank, but it is respectful, in a way only Koreans would understand. Not only does the narrative begin in North Korea before the 1950 invasion, but it discusses Korean emigrees in China, living in Occupation-era Korea, surviving during war, and emigrating to a foreign country.

But this book is also about women, written by a woman rediscovering her history and her voice. It is not only a political discussion, but also a discussion of how women existed in Korean society. Although, as a man, talking about menstruation and other aspects of a woman's daily experience, was a bit unnerving, it established the book's focus, the tale of a woman maturing and becoming quite unique by any standard.

The author is a first generation Korean-American (gyopo-saram) listening to her grandmother's tales of the old world. But neither are victims, and the fierce determination of the grandmother is revealed in the brashness of the granddaughter's prose. The granddaughter legitimates her grandmother's right to speak, a right not granted in her upbringing. The act of writing is liberation from the constraints of a misogynistic, Confucian social structure, and reveals the power of women in Korean culture.

What I liked about the narrator was her humility. She may have withstood some of the bitterest experiences any women would face, but she takes no credit and is not condescending. She grows older and wiser, but her own personality does not change. Both women, storyteller and story-writer, are quite unique. By adopting her grandmother's voice, the granddaughter creates a heroine that speaks to both the old and future worlds.

Rating:
Summary: Preachy. Awkward. Koreanized Amy Tan.
Review: There's little to no indication of literary talent here. But it was an interesting story, and certainly not the worst novel I ever read, so I give it two stars.

Rating:
Summary: AMAZING! Could not put it down!
Review: This is one of the most memorable books I have ever read. The story reaches out and touches your soul in multiple ways.

Rating:
Summary: The story is better than the storytelling
Review: This novel is based on the true story of how a woman survived the first half of the twentieth century in Korea. Along the way, the reader learns about the history of that tumultuous period, and the difficulties which arose when Korea transitioned into a modern society. The author, however, does not have a good ear for writing believable dialogue. In addition, the abrupt plot transitions feel unrealistic. For instance, the protagonist's rapid conversion to Christianity did not ring true. Nonetheless, the undeniably remarkable story of this woman's life made the novel worth reading.

Rating:
Summary: Bad writing, embarrassing details
Review: This was a fabulous book that makes one really appreciate the simplicity of daily life in America. This is an especially poignant book for mothers who must face life changing decisions. The writing was smooth and the book read well. I would highly recommend this to those who enjoy memoirs. Lee writes about the life of her grandmother and family members who live through some very difficult times. This one will stay on my shelf and I look forward to reading more of Lee's books.