Drifting House by Krys Lee

Krys Lee’s award-winning book, Drifting House, is an emotional and provocative set of stories about the Korean diaspora and the many individuals who have been affected by it. The stories take place over a century from late 19th to the early 21st century and are set in Korea, China, and the United States. Each story is unique, but all of them explore the themes of identity, displacement, and cultural conflict.

All the stories center around characters who must make tough choices and sacrifices to try and build a better life for themselves and their loved ones. In the titular story, Drifting House, a family of Korean-Americans is sent on board a ship that was purchased to take them away from Korea. The family, in an effort to keep the traditions and values of their homeland alive, carry with them artifacts and memories from their Korean home.

The story “A Temporary Matter” follows a couple living in Los Angeles, who have conflicting ideas of what their dreams and future should look like. The man wants to pursue his dream job, but his wife fears the uncertainty of what a new life would bring. In the story “Learning to Speak,” a woman named Jin, who has grown up in Korea, must face the fact that she is unable to communicate with her husband who is a native English speaker.

The stories capture the struggles and triumphs of immigrants, immigrants’ children, and the families they belong to. Lee’s characters are faced with the challenge of negotiating between their homeland culture, the new country they inhabit, and their personal values and identity. Through the stories, Lee points to the profound consequences of war, displacement, broken homes, and the pursuit of identity.

At its core, Drifting House is an incredible portrayal of the human experience. It's an intricate collection of stories that is beautifully written and contains characters that embody hope, courage, and resilience. Lee’s vivid prose breathes life into her characters, making them come alive.

In telling the stories of the characters, Lee forces readers to confront realities about justice, identity, and culture. One must consider whether or not the cultural divide between individuals, or the realities of migration, can ever be reconciled. Through the stories in Drifting House, Lee comments on a range of themes, from the embrace of new cultures to the preservation of old ones. She also brings to light the impact of war, poverty, and discrimination.

The powerful writing and captivating stories found in Drifting House makes the stories an inspiring and thought-provoking read. It's an enlightening and moving look at life through the lens of the Korean diaspora. The stories are powerful and life-affirming, and the characters are complex and believable. Drifting House is a remarkable and captivating collection of stories that will stay with readers long after they've finished the book.