Can't I Go Instead

The novel "Cant I Go Instead" follows the lives of a Korean nobleman's daughter and her maidservant, intertwined through World War II and the Korean War, revealing the harsh realities of class division in the early 20th century. The daughter is forced into marriage and sent to the United States, while her maidservant is sent to be a comfort woman to the Japanese Imperial army. Years of hardship, survival, and happiness follow, and the women must reclaim their identities and find their places in an independent Korea.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 09 November 2023
Publisher: Scribe Publications

From the acclaimed author of "The Picture Bride," comes a powerful and poignant tale that delves into the lives of two women, intertwined by the events of World War II and the Korean War. Through their struggles and triumphs, "Cant I Go Instead" offers a revealing glimpse into the harsh realities of class division in the early 20th century.

The story revolves around the daughter of a Korean nobleman and her maidservant, who find themselves caught up in the tumultuous tides of history. When the daughters suitor is arrested as a Korean Independence activist, and she is implicated during the investigation, she is swiftly forced into marriage to one of her father's Japanese employees and shipped off to the United States. At the same time, her maidservant is sent in her mistress's place to serve as a comfort woman to the Japanese Imperial army.

Years of hardship, survival, and even happiness follow, as the women navigate the complexities of their new lives in a foreign land. However, the aftermath of WWII brings with it a new set of challenges, as the women make their way home, grappling with the tangled lives they have led and seeking to reclaim their identities and find their place in an independent Korea.

"Cant I Go Instead" is a masterful exploration of the human spirit, resilience, and the search for belonging. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and the ability of literature to shed light on the complexities of history and human experience. Through the lives of these two women, readers are invited to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who lived through the tumultuous times of the 20th century and to appreciate the strength and determination of those who overcame adversity.

Weight: 386g
Dimension: 134 x 216 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781915590381