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This article is about the mechanical game popular in Japan. For other uses, see Pachinko (disambiguation).

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What are you currently reading?

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USO Indo-Pacific and USO Europe | Middle East | Africa will host our monthly Overseas Virtual Book Club discussing "Pachinko" by Min Jin Lee on May 8th at 2000 JST on Zoom

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Any book recommendations to share with us?

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Pachinko — "Who is Your Sunja?" | Apple TV+

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'Pachinko' author Min Jin Lee answers your questions

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An Interview with Min Jin Lee, Bestselling Author of Pachinko

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Instagram

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Facebook

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https://x.com/minjinlee11

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Writer. New Yorker. Late Bloomer.
www.minjinlee.com

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Books To Read if You Love “Pachinko” | Penguin Random House

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If you loved reading Pachinko or are watching the TV series, we have the perfect book for your reading list!

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Senjuti was born and raised in Bankura, a small town in India. A reluctant economist, fierce feminist and history enthusiast, she spends most of her time reading. Her interaction with other people is largely limited to running away from them or launching into passionate monologues about her last perfect read or her latest fictional crush.
View All posts by Senjuti Patra
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee was one of the most popular books of 2017, and it is enjoying a boost in popularity after the release of an Apple TV show based on the book this year. This book is also one that I find myself recommending to friends very often, especially those who are not prolific readers but would like to read more - for Min Jin Lee's lucid prose, excellent characters, and engrossing setting is sure to hook one from the very first page. I often have people come back to me asking for more books like Pachinko.

There are many aspects of the book that I think make it appealing to a wide range of readers - the historical backdrop of 20th century Korea, the multigenerational saga with a family secret simmering in the background, and the strong female protagonist. Here I have compiled a list of 12 books like Pachinko that have one or more of these characteristics.

Once you've read these books like Pachinko, don't miss the adaptation of the book, which is available to stream.

This book is set in the Korean island of Jeju where women divers are the breadwinners of their families. Unlike Pachinko where we get the points of view of multiple generations, the story in this book is told from the perspective of one woman, but the narrative spans several decades. It covers the Japanese occupation of Korea, the Second World War, the Korean war, and its aftermath. In addition to being similar in terms of themes and scope, this book makes a great companion read to Pachinko, since it covers many of the same historical events the Pachinko refers to, but from a different lens.

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Another epic historical fiction novel that spans several decades, Beasts of a Little Land provides a perspective on the some of the historical backdrop of Pachinko from within South Korea. The story follows Jade, a performer who had been sold into courtesan school in her childhood, and JungHo, an orphan boy who gets involved in the struggle for independence, through the various landmarks in Korea's history. Like The Island of Sea Women, this book is a great companion read for Pachinko.

The Eighth Life by Nino Haratischvili, translated by Charlotte Collins and Ruth Martin

This book is ambitious in its scope - over 800 pages long, it covers a century and is set in various countries in Europe and western Asia. It follows a Georgian family and their oscillating circumstances across several generations. It gives each character a distinct voice and yet captures the essence of the time and place they live in, documenting the history of a country not frequently encountered in literature written in, or translated into, English.

Was it the setting of Pachinko that intrigued you the most? Check out more books on Korean history here. Can't get enough of multigenerational family sagas? We've got you covered! If you want more book recommendations to go with your favorite TV show, or the last book that has left a hole in your heart, TBR, our personalized book recommendation service, will be perfect for you. Sign up here!

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12 Books to Read if you Loved Pachinko | Book Riot

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Looking for historical Korean stories or a multigenerational saga with a family secret? Check out these books like Pachinko!

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How do Sunja and her descendants struggle with questions of identity and belonging throughout the series? In what ways do they feel Korean, Japanese, or neither?

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How do individual choices (like Sunja's decision to keep her baby or Isak's decision to marry her) shape the family's future?

Are there moments when characters seem trapped by circumstances outside their control?

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What sacrifices are made by the different generations to ensure survival and success?

How does the definition of "family" evolve over time in the series?

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How are Koreans portrayed as being treated in Japan across different time periods in the series?

Were there moments that surprised you about the depth or form of discrimination?

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How does Sunja's experience reflect the limited options available to women at the time?

How do the women in Pachinko show resilience or power, even when society tries to limit them?

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Many characters grapple with issues related to money and status. How is wealth tied to dignity or shame in the story?

Is success portrayed as purely positive?

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Pachinko, the game, is largely a game of chance. How does the idea of fate versus free will play out in the characters' lives?

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Christianity is an important part of some characters’ lives. How does religion offer comfort, structure, or conflict?

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What different types of love (romantic, familial, loyal friendship) are shown in the series?

Are there betrayals that you found especially heartbreaking or understandable?

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What does the pachinko business come to represent for the characters and the immigrant experience as a whole?

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Overseas Virtual Book Club | Facebook | Linktree

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OVBC Participants: Service members & military spouses connecting through reading

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The novel's opening sentence reads, "History has failed us, but no matter." What does the sentence mean, and what expectations might it establish for the reader? Why the tail end of the sentence, "but no matter"?

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The novel's opening sentence reads, "History has failed us, but no matter." What does the sentence mean, and what expectations might it establish for the reader? Why the tail end of the sentence, "but no matter"?

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Talk about the thematic significance of the book's title. Pachinko is a sort of slot/pinball game played throughout Japan, and its arcades are also a way for foreigners to find work and accumulate money. Why do people assume that only Koreans run these arcades?

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Talk about the thematic significance of the book's title. Pachinko is a sort of slot/pinball game played throughout Japan, and its arcades are also a way for foreigners to find work and accumulate money. Why do people assume that only Koreans run these arcades?

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What are the cultural differences between Korea and Japan?

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What are the cultural differences between Korea and Japan?

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As "Zainichi," non-Japanese, how are Koreans treated in Japan? What rules must they adhere to, and what restrictions apply to them?

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As "Zainichi," non-Japanese, how are Koreans treated in Japan? What rules must they adhere to, and what restrictions apply to them?

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Discuss the theme of belonging, which pervades this novel. How does where one "belongs" tie into self-identity? Consider Mozasu and his son, Solomon. In whatways are their experiences similar when it comes to national identity? How do both feel toward the Japanese?

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Discuss the theme of belonging, which pervades this novel. How does where one "belongs" tie into self-identity? Consider Mozasu and his son, Solomon. In whatways are their experiences similar when it comes to national identity? How do both feel toward the Japanese?

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Are there particular characters you were drawn to more than others, perhaps even those who are morally compromised? If so who...and why?

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Are there particular characters you were drawn to more than others, perhaps even those who are morally compromised? If so who...and why?

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Share a favorite quote or part from Pachinko. Why did this quote/part stand out to you?

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Share a favorite quote or part from Pachinko. Why did this quote/part stand out to you?

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Early in the novel, Sunja is made to feel shame for her pregnancy. How does the idea of shame persist throughout the novel, both in sense of morals and identity?

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Early in the novel, Sunja is made to feel shame for her pregnancy. How does the idea of shame persist throughout the novel, both in sense of morals and identity?

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Who was the better father, Hansu or Isak? The better provider? The better man? Do you believe that Hansu ultimately redeems himself? Is he deserving of forgiveness?

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Who was the better father, Hansu or Isak? The better provider? The better man? Do you believe that Hansu ultimately redeems himself? Is he deserving of forgiveness?

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One of the themes of the novel is bravery. What kinds of bravery does each character exhibit? How does a character’s bravery (or lack of bravery) shape the family’s story?

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One of the themes of the novel is bravery. What kinds of bravery does each character exhibit? How does a character’s bravery (or lack of bravery) shape the family’s story?

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Discuss how the family’s relationships evolve across the generations. Do the parent-child relationships differ? The husband-wife relationships? The ones between siblings?

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Discuss how the family’s relationships evolve across the generations. Do the parent-child relationships differ? The husband-wife relationships? The ones between siblings?

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Pachinko covers a long span of time and is a rather lengthy novel. What did you think of the book’s length? If it is too long, what would you have cut?

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Pachinko covers a long span of time and is a rather lengthy novel. What did you think of the book’s length? If it is too long, what would you have cut?

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What do you think of the title? Pachinko, the game, doesn’t come up until we are well into the story, but its significance becomes important in the second half ofthe novel. Do you think that it is an apt title for the book? Would you have chosen something different? If so, what?

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What do you think of the title? Pachinko, the game, doesn’t come up until we are well into the story, but its significance becomes important in the second half ofthe novel. Do you think that it is an apt title for the book? Would you have chosen something different? If so, what?

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Before reading this book, were you aware of the tensions between Koreans and Japanese in the early 20th century? Did you learn something about history through reading this story? Did you learn anything about Korean identity in this novel?

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Before reading this book, were you aware of the tensions between Koreans and Japanese in the early 20th century? Did you learn something about history through reading this story? Did you learn anything about Korean identity in this novel?

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What did you think of the ending of the novel? Did you find it tragic, or just right? If you could have changed anything about the ending, what would it be?

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What did you think of the ending of the novel? Did you find it tragic, or just right? If you could have changed anything about the ending, what would it be?

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In many ways, Pachinko is about how one person’s actions can have a profound effect on family: Sunja becomes pregnant by Hansu, and Hansu abandons her.Do you feel as though your life is largely shaped by your parents’ or ancestor’s decisions? Or do you believe that each person in each generation has autonomy to make their own choices?

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In many ways, Pachinko is about how one person’s actions can have a profound effect on family: Sunja becomes pregnant by Hansu, and Hansu abandons her.Do you feel as though your life is largely shaped by your parents’ or ancestor’s decisions? Or do you believe that each person in each generation has autonomy to make their own choices?

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Would you read another novel by this author, either Free Food for Millionaires or a future release? Why or why not?

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Would you read another novel by this author, either Free Food for Millionaires or a future release? Why or why not?

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If you had the chance to ask Lee one question, what would it be?

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If you had the chance to ask Lee one question, what would it be?

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"...earn something and put aside ssvings for emergencies. Spend what you need but just throw even a few coins into a tin and forget that you have it. A woman should always have something put by."

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"A parent must be decisive; a child cannot protect himself."