53 pages 1 hour read

Chang-rae Lee

A Gesture Life

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1999

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

A Gesture Life by Chang-rae Lee follows Franklin Hata, a retired Japanese-Korean medic, who reflects on his life marked by assimilation, loss, and the psychological toll of his World War II experiences, particularly overseeing Korean "comfort women" in Burma. His relationships with his adopted daughter Sunny and a widow named Mary unravel due to his emotional distance, leading Hata to confront his past and the gestures that have defined his life. Topics include violence, rape, forced abortion, and the trauma of war.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Chang-rae Lee's A Gesture Life intricately explores themes of identity, memory, and assimilation. Critics praise its delicate prose and profound character development, especially of protagonist Doc Hata. Some reviewers, however, note the slow pacing and occasional emotional distance. Overall, it is regarded as a poignant, thought-provoking narrative that delves deep into the complexities of cultural displacement.

Who should read this

Who Should Read A Gesture Life?

Readers who appreciate A Gesture Life by Chang-rae Lee typically enjoy introspective narratives that explore themes of identity, cultural displacement, and the lingering impacts of past trauma. Fans of Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake or Kazuo Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day will find similar depth and emotional resonance in Lee's storytelling.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Lexile Level

1200L

Book Details

Genre

Korean Literature

Asian Literature

Historical Fiction

Period

Asian Literature

Topics

History: World