The Island of Sea Women

A Novel

By: Lisa See

Narrated by: Jennifer Lim

A new novel from Lisa See, the New York Times best-selling author of The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, about female friendship and family secrets on a small Korean island.

Mi-ja and Young-sook, two girls living on the Korean island of Jeju, are best friends who come from very different backgrounds. When they are old enough, they begin working in the sea with their village’s all-female diving collective, led by Young-sook’s mother. As the girls take up their positions as baby divers, they know they are beginning a life of excitement and responsibility but also danger.

Despite their love for each other, Mi-ja and Young-sook’s differences are impossible to ignore. The Island of Sea Women is an epoch set over many decades, beginning during a period of Japanese colonialism in the 1930s and 1940s, followed by World War II, the Korean War, and its aftermath, through the era of cell phones and wet suits for the women divers. Throughout this time, the residents of Jeju find themselves caught between warring empires. Mi-ja is the daughter of a Japanese collaborator, and she will forever be marked by this association. Young-sook was born into a long line of haenyeo and will inherit her mother’s position leading the divers in their village. Little do the two friends know that after surviving hundreds of dives and developing the closest of bonds, forces outside their control will push their friendship to the breaking point.

This beautiful, thoughtful novel illuminates a world turned upside down, one where the women are in charge, engaging in dangerous, physical work, and the men take care of the children. A classic Lisa See story - one of women’s friendships and the larger forces that shape them - The Island of Sea Women introduces listeners to the fierce and unforgettable female divers of Jeju Island and the dramatic history that shaped their lives.

©2019 Lisa See (P)2019 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"Narrator Jennifer Lim underscores the multiple layers of this audiobook about two friends who grew up in Jeju Island, Korea... Lim's expressive delivery highlights protagonist Young-sook's personality and complex feelings... Lim's clear and sensitive portrayals, complete with believable accents, make it easy for listeners to keep track of the characters." (AudioFile)

Narration was so bad I didn’t finish

This seems like a good book to read. The narrator was a terrible choice for this book. Somehow a New Jersey(ish) twang doesn’t fly with this novel. The story was interesting though.

Entertaining & historically informative ~

This is the 3rd of Lisa See’s novels I’ve enjoyed. Her characters are many and a select few are well developed. i learned a lot about that period of Korean history because as I was reading I found myself “googling” Jeju Island and the Incident 4 13 (horrific). ~ So many thanks, Ms. See, for the inspiration!
I couldn’t rate this work higher ~ it’s not quite at that level.

Interesting on SO Many Levels

I loved the characters and their development in this story, and the historical aspect of things reminded me of the Concentration Camps during WWII.

Audio turned me off -at first

I almost didn’t read this book because of how American Jennifer Lim sounded. I wanted it to sound Korean. I persevered and was glad I did.

Loved it

This book was so incredible from beginning to end. There was som foreshadowing in it which was such a great teaser.

interesting

Incredibly slow to start to the point I nearly gave up. I'm glad I hung in there. very interesting with a good story ending.

One of her Best Books

It was very interesting. Did not know about the Sea Women or Korea. The story between the two protagonists was moving, thoughtful and touching. A MUST READ if you love Lisa See.

A wonderful tale about Korea

This was a great story about women for women. Relatable to women of all ages. About friendship and love and the complexity of it as we live through childhood and adulthood.

The Effects Nature and Tragedy on Friendship

I learned. That is my personal takeaway from this book. I did not want to read "another history book", but I came away from this story that kept me captivated and enthralled only to realize how much I learned about world history and the sea. This fascinating story about a young woman and the traditions of her community, weave through Asian, American and European history seamlessly, leaving the reader with a greater understanding of the times and the people.

Excellent Story

This is such a lovely story of the friendships, heartaches, courage, and relationships of Korean Sea diving women. I loved the story and learned so much about their culture. It was beautifully written.