Angie Kim's Miracle Creek captivates with its layered narrative and complex characters, skillfully exploring legal and moral dilemmas. Praised for its engrossing plot and insightful treatment of familial relationships, it has also faced criticism for occasional pacing issues and convoluted subplots. Overall, it's a thought-provoking and engaging read.

Readers who relish suspenseful courtroom dramas and intricate character studies will find Miracle Creek by Angie Kim compelling. Fans of Jodi Picoult’s My Sister’s Keeper or Celeste Ng’s Everything I Never Told You will appreciate this thought-provoking novel that delves into complex family dynamics and moral ambiguities.

Miracle Creek by Angie Kim is a courtroom drama about an explosion during a hyperbaric oxygen therapy session that kills two and injures six, focusing on the subsequent trial where the mother of one victim is accused of arson, while flashbacks gradually reveal the truth. The novel addresses sensitive topics, including the loss of loved ones and serious injuries.

Suspenseful / Mysterious / Emotional / Melancholic / Challenging

- Miracle Creek is Angie Kim's debut novel, which won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel in 2020, showcasing its immediate impact and recognition within the literary community.
- Angie Kim's personal experiences heavily influenced Miracle Creek, as she immigrated from South Korea to the United States at a young age and studied trial law at Harvard, themes of which are echoed in the book's narrative.
- The novel's exploration of societal issues and human nature was so well received that it was selected as a Washington Post Best Book of the Year and was a Book of the Month Club selection.

**Young Yoo**  
Young is a Korean immigrant, Pak’s wife, and Mary’s mother, who navigates the challenges of maintaining family harmony while dealing with cultural expectations and personal convictions.

**Matt Thompson**  
Matt is a medical doctor involved in infertility treatments and the trial related to the events in the story, characterized by his professional successes and personal struggles.

**Teresa Santiago**  
Teresa is a compassionate character, known for her kindness and patience, whose life revolves around caring for her daughter, Rosa, and playing a crucial supportive role in the community.

**Pak Yoo**  
Pak is Young's husband and Mary’s father, depicted as a controlling figure whose traditional values and decisions impact his family's life significantly.

**Mary Yoo**  
Mary is the teenage daughter of Young and Pak, navigating the complexities of growing up as an immigrant and dealing with family tensions.

**Elizabeth Ward**  
Elizabeth is a mother whose quest for perfection impacts her son, Henry, and faces scrutiny and personal reflection following a tragic event.

Angie Kim

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Before You Read

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Before You Read Miracle Creek | SuperSummary

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Overview

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Miracle Creek Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “A Year Later—The Trial: Day One”

Prologue-Part 1, Chapter 2

Miracle Creek Prologue-Part 1, Chapter 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 3-5

Miracle Creek Part 1, Chapters 3-5 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 6-8

Miracle Creek Part 1, Chapters 6-8 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “The Trial: Day Two” 

Part 2, Chapters 9-11

Miracle Creek Part 2, Chapters 9-11 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 12-15 

Miracle Creek Part 2, Chapters 12-15  Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 16-18

Miracle Creek Part 3, Chapters 16-18 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “The Trial: Day Three”

Part 3, Chapters 19-21

Miracle Creek Part 3, Chapters 19-21 Summary & Analysis

Part 4, Chapters 22-25

Miracle Creek Part 4, Chapters 22-25 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “The Trial: Day Four”

Part 4, Chapters 26-28

Miracle Creek Part 4, Chapters 26-28 Summary & Analysis

Part 4, Chapters 29-31

Miracle Creek Part 4, Chapters 29-31 Summary & Analysis

Part 4, Chapter 32-Part 5

Miracle Creek Part 4, Chapter 32-Part 5 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

Miracle Creek Character Analysis

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Themes

Miracle Creek Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Miracle Creek Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Miracle Creek Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Miracle Creek Essay Topics

Miracle Creek

Before You Read

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