White Chrysanthemum

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The heartbreaking story of Korea during the Second World War is brought to life in this gripping, redemptive debut about two sisters Winner of the Writers' Guild Award for Best Debut Novel Longlisted for the Authors' Club First Novel Award 'Look for your sister after each dive. Never forget. If you see her, you are safe.' Hana and her little sister Emi are part of an island community of haenyo, women who make their living from diving deep into the sea off the southernmost tip of Korea. One day Hana sees a Japanese soldier heading for where Emi is guarding the day's catch on the beach. Her mother has told her again and again never to be caught alone with one. Terrified for her sister, Hana swims as hard as she can for the shore. So begins the story of two sisters suddenly and violently separated by war. Moving between Hana in 1943 and Emi as an old woman today, White Chrysanthemum takes us into a dark and devastating corner of history - and two women whose love for one another is strong enough to triumph over the evils of war.

Reviews

I read it in one sitting -- Kate Kellaway * Observer *
I would also recommend Mary-Lynn Brachts novel White Chrysanthemum, a story of family separation in Korea during the 20th century. I learned a lot about Korean culture in this book, but it also has a sweeping story that captivates the reader -- John Boyne * Irish Times Summer Reads *
I read Hana and Emi's story with my heart in my mouth... A bold, devastating, important novel shot through with hope and beauty -- Rachel Joyce
Introduces a heart-rending seam of history Bracht has fashioned her own memorial to the comfort women. White Chrysanthemum is a timely and furiously felt book -- Rowan Hisayo Buchanan * Guardian *
A hugely affecting, captivating read -- I cried for most of the second half -- Sarah Shaffi * Stylist *

Author Bio

Mary Lynn Bracht is an American author of Korean descent who now lives in London. She has an MA in Creative Writing from Birkbeck, University of London. She grew up in a large ex-pat community of women who came of age in post-war South Korea. In 2002 Bracht visited her mother's childhood village, and it was during this trip she first learned of the 'Comfort Women' captured and set up in brothels for the Japanese military. White Chrysanthemum is her first novel.