When twenty-year-old Anna Carlson travels from America to a Korean orphanage to locate her birth mother, she’s devastated to learn the woman is already dead. But just when it seems her search is over, a stranger hands her a parcel containing an antique comb—and an address.
That scrap of paper leads Anna to the Seoul apartment of the poor yet elegant Hong Jae-hee. Jae-hee recounts an epic tale … epic tale that begins with the Japanese occupation of Korea and China during World War II, when more than two hundred thousand Korean women were forced to serve the soldiers as “comfort women.” Jae-hee knows the story well—she was one of them.
As Jae-hee’s narrative unfolds, Anna discovers that the precious tortoiseshell comb, with its two-headed ivory dragon, has survived against all odds through generations of her family’s women. And as its origins become clearer, Anna realizes that along with the comb, she inherits a legacy—of resilience and courage, love and redemption—beyond her wildest imagination.
Revised edition: This edition of Daughters of the Dragon includes editorial revisions.
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An enthralling and gruelling story that is a good read and also educational regarding some of the forgotten history and atrocities suffered by Korean women during World War 2. Well put together and very enlightening. It was a compelling way to shine a light on something that the governments tried to keep hidden. A book that will stay with me. Wish there were more people who could write like this!
I read this book after reading The Dragon Queen. The comb with the two-headed dragon is a thread in both books. The story is narrated by two main protagonists from different generations, and begins during the years of WWII with Korean sisters receiving mandatory orders from the Japanese military to report for work. They are told they will be working in a factory. Their mother sends the comb with the girls, which dates back to the great grandmother. To say the protagonist of that part of the story lived a life of suffering would be an understatement. The book was riveting, but her story was sad and dark. I can’t wait for The Spirit of the Dragon!
Through this story, I have a glimpse of one of the horrors of war, exploitation of women. I can’t imagine the horrors of a comfort station and trying to cope with repeated rape. It’s an even greater tragedy that the girls and women were expected to remain silent and hide what happened. This story helps with getting a glimpse and a better understanding of thus tragedy and the hope of survival
It is WWII and Japan controls all of Korea. The military scour the countryside for girls to become “comfort women” for the soldiers. This is a story told about one such girl.
If you liked Memoirs of a Geisha you will love this. I love history and this story taught me so much about Korea in a facinating and emotional way. I couldn’t put it down.
After finishing this book, I think the opening quote in the “Author’s Note” says it all: “If we don’t learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it.” –George Santayana
The story was beautifully and sensitively written, although difficult to get through at times. It also offered insight into the history of Korea, which I enjoyed learning about, and the tragedy of war, it’s brutality and the impact it has on people and families. I thank the author for sharing this important story, that needs to be told and not forgotten so that it is never repeated again!
This is a tragic story about Korean women and what they were forced to do just prior and during World War II. It gives you a great insight into the racial problems of the East. Gives you the reasons that China, Japan, and Korea are so far apart in today’s world. The atrocities that were forced on these Korean women is beyond belief. Unfortunately in this tragic world we live in it is believable. This is a true history of what happened at that time. I recommend it highly and have recommended it to many of my friends. So if you want to know the history of this area please read it. And I thank the author for bringing this awful chapter in history to the light.
Following WW II Germany was held accountable for its actions, particularly its inhumane treatment of prisoners and its attempts to literally eradicate populations. Because American needed an ally in the East, Japan was not, nor has it been truly and fully called to accountability to date. I have been to Korea a number of times and was acquainted with the Japanese Army’s practice of conscripting women of conquered populations into brothels to service soldiers, however this account of the practice is jarring. Equally disturbing was the post-war response of the Korean people in viewing these virtually enslaved women as social pariah as well as the nation of South Korea’s failure to confront Japan on this issue (and I’m sure there are other equally barbaric actions) for fear of disturbing developing post-war economic recovery and growth. The characters may be fictitious but the background is well documented and the story will cause the reader to gnash his teeth in frustration. Shame has never been truly laid at Japan’s feet for not admitting that such events and practices happened. Unfortunately many of the perpetraturs are beyond reach but the victims still need to be acknowledged. Many kudos to the author.
This is a wonderful story, I could not put it down, a story that will stay with you long after you have turned the last page!. Cant wait to read more of his work!