The obituarist at the Golden Sunset retirement home has heard plenty of sprawling, fascinating, heartrending stories but perhaps none quite like that of Ms Mook. When the 98-year-old begins speaking of life as a spy, slave, runaway, mother, lover and killer, it's hard to believe that all of these lives can belong to one person. So, is Ms Mook actually just a trickster?

I adored that this book took me on a journey through the turmoil and unrest that occurred in East Asia in the early 20th century. I was completely immersed in each of the stories that Ms Mook told and swept up in the plight of each of the characters that I met. It was a real historical education for me and it was told beautifully. I also loved how the many different 'lives' that Ms Mook took on meant that she could tell the stories of the friends that she'd lost along the way. It really felt like all of those people that she'd loved were very much alive within her and therefore their stories had become her own. The fact that her pica means that she eats earth also symbolised that each of the places that she'd made memories in also became a part of her and therefore also made up her life story.

I was actually expecting this book to refer to some kind of mythology and perhaps have a bit of a fantastical element to it but I wasn't disappointed that it didn't. My only critic was the structure of the book. I'm not sure why the 'lives' weren't told to us in chronological order and it was quite tricky to keep track of where we were within her lifespan. Perhaps if I'd had the time to read the whole book in one sitting it might not have mattered so much but as it was, I couldn't see a reason for the order that we got them in, which affected the flow.

It took me a while to get into this book but once I did i found it enjoyable. It is important to mention that there are some hard hitting topics in the book which can make for uncomfortable reading at times

"8 Lives of a Century-Old Trickster" by Mirinae Lee unfolds a unique tale of longevity. Lee's narrative explores the complexities of the trickster's existence, though pacing can feel uneven. Lee's writing captures the essence of each life, yet some sections lack the depth to truly resonate. The book offers a fresh take on immortality, weaving together various lives, but its execution might not fully satisfy all readers seeking a cohesive and impactful exploration.

“Poison, for the love of God, was true democracy: it didn’t discriminate – it would get you, rich or poor. Communist or capitalist, woman or man.” #MirinaeLee #8LivesOfACenturyOldTrickster

Books: 1/1

Publisher: @littleBrownBokks

Genre: #AsianLiterature / #TrueLifeStory / #Fiction / #HistoricalFiction

CWs: sexual abuse / child abuse / domestic abuse

Not going to lie, this was one of the best fiction books I’ve read in the past few years.

From the very first page's author manages to catch reader attention, and you feel hypnotized by the main character who has many identities and names.

It’s a very oppressive and overwhelming book, events are happening partially in demilitarized zone between North and South Korea.

Reader is being taken back to the North, during the war period and disclosed very dark aspects of live, society and especially woman’s position during these events.

I would like to add, that story is based on writers' aunties biography, as she was one of the oldest women who managed to escape from the North Korea.

I would like to add, that book is written very well, I felt acquainted with Ms Mook during reading and she left me speechless with each character. So much horror, violence that she had to endure and strength to survive all of that.

Through all the tragedy and trauma, there is also a place for love and in the way the ending that has fully satisfied me as a reader.

I would highly recommend this book.

I really enjoyed this book, an original take on the sort of multi-generational story I usually lap up. You're left not quite knowing what is true and what is invented. It's a story about women and history and how we remember individually and collectively. It's also about family and trust, love and deceit.

At the Golden Sunset retirement home somewhere deep in the countryside outside Seoul, an obituarist spends time with residents capturing their "story" before they die. Many suffer from dementia. Mrs Mook however, is in a league of her own. She tells of the various lives she has lived including that of a murderer, a comfort women to the occupying Japanese Army, an imposter and a spy. She tells stories of captivity, friendship, love, loss ,and adventure.. These lives took place in South Korea, Indonesia and North Korea. They are fascinating stories which give insights into the tough life Mrs Mook and other women endured over a considerable period of time. So easy to be drawn into this book. I particularly loved that some elements of each life were based on the real life experiences of the authors aunt. A terrific read

Interesting structure and a fascinating protagonist. Set between North and South Korea, eight stories in the life of the trickster and her remarkable and secret life.

Heartbreakingly wonderful read. A story of freedom, trauma and family. Massive trigger warnings for sexual abuse, forced prostitution, rape, murder, physical abuse, the Korean war, the hell experienced by 'comfort women' and death.

This book was for me a prime example of the unreliable narrator, with the main narrative revolving around the character Ms Mook who nearing the end of her life is sharing her rather rich 'life story' or least the story she wants to share to 'the obituary woman', of a woman who has lived through a decidedly turbulent 20th century Korea.

Throughout the novel you are left wondering what twist will happen next and how reliable the tale Ms Mook is sharing is true, how much is a white lie and whether or not Ms Mook believes herself. An interesting debut, and the way the story twists and turns reminds me of the thriller 'The Good Son' - in that what answers you think you hold are often shattered by a later revelation that you certainly weren't expecting.

This is a weird, original, and riveting book. A woman who tells story that could be invented or could be true. They're all about herself but they're set in different historical moments and places.
We don't know if it's real life or fantasy, we know that the storyteller is a fascinating character.
It's not my usual type of book but I thoroughly enjoyed it and liked the style of writing and the how there's a sense of a single story even if there're more.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

I requested 8 Lives of a Century Old Trickster on a whim and, for the most part, found that this was a book I enjoyed. It wasn’t a standout novel for me, but it was a good enough read and one that I don’t regret.

The story is framed as an old lady telling her story for an obituary, but it’s unclear initially just how much of the story is true, and how it all ties in together. Her “lives” are told out of order, but they do eventually sort themselves out. Still, as she’s a self-described “trickster”, it’s sometimes hard to know how reliable a narrator you should take her to be.

While I say this is a book I liked well enough, it’s also not a book that I feel is going to stay with me. It was well written and the characters were fleshed out well too, but nothing about it felt particularly memorable to me. I’d like to stress to me here since it’s a YMMV point. I found this book a little dry despite everything, so of course nothing would stick with me. That doesn’t mean that the opposite won’t be true for other readers.

Really, I think the lengths of my reviews are a good indicator of enjoyment (or the opposite) of a book. If it’s one I loved I can usually get 5 or 6 paragraphs out of it. If I hated it, we’re probably talking twice that. If I felt indifferent overall? Well, you get something like this.

However, as I said, none of this means it won’t be a book other people might enjoy. In fact, I’d tell them very much to give it a try.

This novel is going to stick with me for a long time.

Mook Miran is a woman coming to the end of her life when she's asked her life story. She does this in 8 parts.

First of all, I loved our main character, who I'm not even sure how to address. She is a chameleon of different people and places, full of life even at the darkest moments of the Pacific war.

The majority of this novel takes place over world war 2 and the Pacific War. I think the author wrote this novel with a lot of care and research in how such a large moment in history effected everyday people.

Make no mistake it is a harrowing tale which is not for the faint of heart, but it's such an important part of history. And I'm so impressed by the authors talent, at moments I forgot that this was fiction!

*Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy of this book in exchange of an honest review*

<b>8 Lives of a Century-Old Trickster by Mirinae Lee is a fascinating story about survival, motherhood and trauma in a demilitarized zone separating North and South Korea.</b>

I started reading this book without a lot of information. It was highly recommended and looked like the type of book I would enjoy so I thought I’d give it a try. I didn’t know then that <u>this debut would move me so deeply and keep me hooked from the very first moment.</u>

The book tells <b>eight interconnected stories that are based on the author’s great-aunt</b>. These stories are dark and raw. Compelling and heart-breaking at the same time. Full of the brutality that always accompanies wars and the strength of a woman that only wants to survive.

Through the years we meet the many faces of a single woman: a slave, a murderer, a mother, a spy, a lover, a terrorist… <u>The author’s style is beautiful, full of metaphors and atmospheric</u>. You can see small fragments of different lives in each story, the slow but steady pace keeps you wanting for more. Wondering where the story will go.

Even when the tales are unsettling and brutal <b>the story is full of love</b>. A love full of white lies and secrets but love after all. This is by far my favourite thing about this book: you can feel how much heart is within these pages and how close the author is to this story.

The only reason why I didn’t give this book 5 stars is that sometimes it has too much information and it is difficult to process all the things happening at once. I would have preferred to have a few extra pages where the information was spread more evenly. However, this is a small thing that didn’t change my overall view of the novel.

I have the feeling this is a book you can read in different ways and find small and different details every time. <b>It’s a remarkable novel about survival and overcoming a trauma and you should give it a try if you like these kinds of stories.</b>

<b>Trigger warnings:</b> please bear in mind that this book talks about sexual violence, physical violence, death, and suicide.

4/5

This is a highly fictionalised version of the the extraordinary life of the authors aunt. There are eight separate stories woven around aunt's life. The book has been described as a hall of mirrors. As you work your way through you catch glimpses of the other stories, but are they reflections or optical illusions, or pathways through? The writing is accomplished, the tales surprising and unsettling. This is a book that can be read in many ways, with more discovered each time.

This was such a unique, intriguing read. Hugely ambitious and it pays off. I'm very reluctant to reveal or spoil anything here - I urge anyone to read it for a truly singular, affecting, playful and powerfully-written experience.

An inventive, multi-layered narrative that had me intrigued at every turn. Each of the lives offered something different, but each one was powerful and moving and wonderfully written. Loved it.

I read this in two breathless days. It's a harrowing read on many, many levels largely because the dark content is completely true and realistically drawn. But it's also a heartfelt, warm and often magical novel with a strong vein of romance running through it. I don't want to reveal too much, but I will say the relationships of the main character are powerfully, compassionately depicted, and I won't forget the discussion of the value of deception - and allowing yourself to be deceived.

I found the frame story at times less evocative than the chain of '8 lives' that make up the main narrative, but I enjoyed some of what it allowed the reader to see at the end about the main character's life. Highly recommended.

To be published on Goodreads on 22 April 2023

Mook Miran has lived through Japanese Imperialism, World War II, The Korean War and the North Korean regime. She has also lived through a number of identities in order to survive: slave, escape-artist, murderer, terrorist, spy, lover, mother, trickster.

8 Lives of a Century-Old Trickster, is an excellent read, both heart-breaking and uplifting. It’s central themes of identity and survival are interweaved into a compelling narrative, that is well-paced and extremely readable. The subject matter is often brutal, but is dealt with in an honest, non-sensationalist manner. Compelling, poignant and highly recommended