Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Search - Ten Thousand Sorrows: The Extraordinary Journey of a Korean War Orphan

Ten Thousand Sorrows: The Extraordinary Journey of a Korean War Orphan
Ten Thousand Sorrows The Extraordinary Journey of a Korean War Orphan
Author: Elizabeth Kim
They called it an "honor killing," but to Elizabeth Kim, the night she watched her grandfather and uncle hang her mother from the wooden rafter in the corner of their small Korean hut, it was cold-blooded murder. Her Omma had committed the sin of lying with an American soldier, and producing not just a bastard but a honhyol--a m...  more »
Info icon
ISBN-13: 9780385496339
ISBN-10: 0385496338
Publication Date: 5/2000
Pages: 240
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 29

4 stars, based on 29 ratings
Publisher: Doubleday
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Ten Thousand Sorrows: The Extraordinary Journey of a Korean War Orphan on + 102 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This was rather depressing. The author basically gives a litany of the things that have gone wrong in her life. I kept expecting things to get better, for her to make some breakthrough, but it really doesn't happen. Yes, her life improves, yes, she is doing better now, but the book is completely and utterly depressing. Reading the last few chapters felt like listening in on her sessions with a shrink; they were all about expressing everything you feel, regardless of the consequences. I usually recommend books to my Dad when I finish them ⦠this one went right back onto PBS.
melindaglover04 avatar reviewed Ten Thousand Sorrows: The Extraordinary Journey of a Korean War Orphan on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
The book's not perfect but that's not why I read. I read hoping an author has something insightful to say for themselves. Elizabeth Kim does.

Kim's experience growing up in a Fundamentalist home is quite similar to mine but since she was born in Korea - the feeling of alienation, as someone who didn't resonate with that "way", was even stronger for her. At times her story seemed a bit melodramatic and overstated....but coming from the same background I understand that there's real truth in her experiences and emotional responses.

I think you'll know based on what I've written whether this would be an interesting read for you. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Read All 5 Book Reviews of "Ten Thousand Sorrows The Extraordinary Journey of a Korean War Orphan"

Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews

reviewed Ten Thousand Sorrows: The Extraordinary Journey of a Korean War Orphan on + 3 more book reviews
Wow this heart-wrenching story is so very well written. Once I started reading it I couldn't put the book down. This one is staying in my library.


Genres: