Island of Sea Women

The Island of Sea Women is a novel by Lisa See that explores the lives of two best friends, Mi-ja and Young-sook, who live on the Korean island of Jeju and work as baby divers in a all-female diving collective. The novel spans several decades, from Japanese colonialism to the present day, and follows the girls as they face challenges and conflicts both within their friendship and in the larger world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 09 July 2020
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd

The captivating novel delves into the intricate tapestry of female friendship and family secrets set against the picturesque backdrop of a small Korean island. Written by the acclaimed New York Times bestselling author of The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, Mi-ja and Young-sook, two girls hailing from vastly different backgrounds, forge an unbreakable bond that transcends their differences. As they reach adulthood, they embark on a thrilling journey working alongside their all-female diving collective, led by Young-sook's mother. The girls, aware of the exhilarating and perilous nature of their chosen profession, embrace the responsibility that comes with being baby divers.

Despite their deep affection for each other, the contrasting personalities of Mi-ja and Young-sook cannot be ignored. The Island of Sea Women unfolds across a sweeping span of decades, beginning during the Japanese colonial era in the 1930s and 1940s, traversing the tumultuous periods of World War II, the Korean War, and its aftermath. Throughout this turbulent era, the residents of Jeju find themselves caught in the crosshairs of warring empires. Mi-ja, the daughter of a Japanese collaborator, carries the weight of this association throughout her life. On the other hand, Young-sook, born into a long line of haenyeo, inherits her mother's position as the leader of the divers in their village. Little do they realize that their friendship, forged through hundreds of perilous dives and an unbreakable bond, will be tested to its very limits by forces beyond their control.

In this poignant and thought-provoking novel, Lisa See delves into a world where women take center stage, engaging in daring physical labor while the men take care of the children. The Island of Sea Women introduces readers to a fierce and unforgettable group of female divers, who fearlessly navigate the treacherous waters beneath the surface. Through their experiences, the novel explores the complex dynamics of female friendships, the societal pressures.

Weight: 314g
Dimension: 130 x 197 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781471183836