Welcome, book lovers and South of Seoul community! This month, our book club dives into “Nuclear Family” by Joseph Han. It’s a novel that explores the life of a Korean American family caught in the throes of personal and political turmoil. Han’s unique narrative style blends realism with a touch of the surreal, making “Nuclear Family” a must-read for those who appreciate depth and innovation in storytelling.
About the South of Seoul Book Club
If you are familiar with the series, skip ahead to learn more about “Almond: A Novel.”
Looking for book recommendations? Welcome to the South of Seoul book club. We recommend a book every month. Such recommended books explore topics like 1) South Korean history or culture, 2) the complexity of cross-cultural life, 4) the exploration of life within the diaspora experience, and 5) lenses on Korean culture around the world.
Commitment to Accessibility
South of Seoul volunteers take book accessibility into consideration when recommending titles. We consider:
- Purchasable in English In Korea: Many translated titles can’t actually be purchased in English in Korea,
- Audio Version Available: Many people find audiobooks easier to consume.
- Online Versions.: International residents can’t afford to travel with many books. Also, many books may not be available in digital form from within Korea.
Commitment to Diverse Lived Experiences
South of Seoul volunteers seek to put lived experiences at the forefront of their recommendations. When considering authors we look for such things as:
- Korean authors who write based on their lived experiences in Korea.
- International residents who write based on their lived experiences in South Korea.
- Ethnic Koreans who write based on their lived experience in other countries.
Reading about Korean culture from a variety of perspectives may provide readers with a greater understanding of the country and culture.
Commitment to Supporting Mental Health
South of Seoul also includes book recommendations that support the lives and mental health of our community. This means that books may tackle the issues of relationships and more.
Book Recommendation By Lanae Rivers-Woods
May’s recommendation is brought to you by South of Seoul founder, Lanae Rivers-Woods. Rivers-Woods founded South of Seoul in 2015 and has lived in South Korea since 2011. She launched the South of Seoul Book Club in 2022 when volunteers suggested creating a reading list for those who just moved to Korea.
About The Author of “Nuclear Family”
Joseph Han is a novelist and educator. He was born and raised in Hawaii. His work often explores themes of identity and displacement. Han’s debut novel, “Nuclear Family,” received critical acclaim for its innovative narrative style. He holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. Currently, Han teaches writing at the University of Portland. His stories challenge readers to think deeply about cultural and personal intersections.
My Experience Reading “Nuclear Family”
“Nuclear Family” was recommended by one of our long-time volunteers at South of Seoul, LeaDan. LeaDan is from Hawai’i and lived in South Korea for many years. I’m hesitant to read books about places where I have lived or have a community. My closeness to the topic makes it hard to relax into the story. Basically, an author’s lack of knowledge about the location or culture puts me off. However, since LeaDan has a respectful relationship with Hawai’i and Korea, I trusted her and made reading “Nuclear Family” a priority.
For me, “the book “Nuclear Family” feels deeply, and authentically rooted in both Hawai’i and Korea. As mentioned in past book reviews, I don’t research an author’s history until I have read at least one of their books. However, while reading I could tell Joseph Han lived in Hawai’i and had a close relationship with Korea. His attention to detail created a foundation for a story filled with magical realism that still feels grounded.
Additionally, the female characters felt well-rounded and I wasn’t always thinking, “A man wrote her.” Sometimes female characters are like cartoons, but his characters feel like actual people no matter their gender.
It’s been a while since I read this book, and I find it sticks with me. A few times a week, the characters find their way into my reality. For me, that’s what a good book is. It’s a book that becomes part of my memories and my framework for considering reality around me. It’s hard for me to put into words what the book will mean to others. It’s a story that feels both surreal and strangely truth.
More Commentary And Reviews On “Nuclear Family”
The above review contains my thoughts and opinions. However, make sure to read other reviews to have a more rounded perspective toward the book. We all come to each story with our own social/cultural lens. Therefore, others may have perceived this book in a different manner and may help you decide if this is the book for you.
They Lived the American Dream, Until the Ghost Turned Up (The New York Times)
Review: A Korean Hawaiian American dream (with Guy Fieri) goes pear-shaped in an inventive debut
Online Purchasing Link
You can purchase “Nuclear Family” a novel by Joseph Han in English on Amazon.
Book Club Lists
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Book Reviews
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Lanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert.
Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities.
Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea.
Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea.
When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains.
