Through the Writer's Lens: Pachinko
Mastering generational storytelling, cultural identity, and the pursuit of belonging with Min Jin Lee
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee is a sweeping tale that explores the lives of four generations of a Korean family living in Japan.
It's a story filled with ambition, hardship, and survival and even though I read it almost a decade ago, I still think about it today. It must have been an absolute FEAT for Min Jin Lee to write and as writers I think there is so much we can learn from the way she crafts her characters and plot.
So, here are the essential takeaways from Pachinko that can elevate your work.
Writing Across Generations
Lee’s portrayal of multiple generations in Pachinko is one of the book’s most impressive feats. She doesn’t just tell the story of one family; she chronicles the lives of its members over decades, showing how their actions, dreams, and choices ripple through time. This generational approach creates a complex web of relationships and emotional depth.
Here is the opening of the novel:
When Sunja was a young girl, she had never heard of Korea. Her family lived in a small, sun-washed house on the slopes of a mountain that overlooked the village.
By beginning the story in a remote village and introducing Sunja as a young girl, Lee roots the story in a specific moment and place. She then goes on to hint at the broader legacy that will unfold. She focuses in small and then ripples out and for the reader it immerses them in the story. A book that could feel sprawling and unwieldy (considering it is written over four generations) never does.
How to implement this into your own work ⤵️
When telling a multi-generational story, focus on the small, defining moments that can impact the characters in the long term. Show how choices made by one generation affect the next.
Writing Prompt ➔ Write a scene where a decision made by one character reverberates throughout the next generation, shaping the future of their family or community.
The Power of Cultural Identity
Throughout Pachinko, Lee explores the concept of cultural identity, particularly how identity can be shaped by society’s perception of you. The characters in the novel often struggle to reconcile their Korean heritage with their lives in Japan, facing discrimination and exclusion.
For instance, the character of Noa reflects on his mixed heritage:
He was both everything and nothing at all. He was neither Korean nor Japanese, but both. He was the son of a woman who was a stranger to him, a woman who didn’t know how to be either.
This internal struggle emphasises how deeply our cultural identities influence the choices we make and how we view ourselves.
How to implement this into your own work ⤵️
Consider how culture and identity influence your characters’ sense of self. How do they struggle with or embrace their backgrounds, and how does this impact their relationships and decisions?
Writing Prompt ➔ Write a scene where a character is confronted with their cultural heritage in a way that forces them to reckon with their identity.
Creating a Sense of Belonging and Displacement
A recurring theme in Pachinko is the feeling of belonging, or the lack thereof. The Korean characters are constantly caught between two worlds: they are not accepted by the Japanese, and they feel disconnected from their Korean roots. This theme of displacement is illustrated in powerful moments throughout the novel.
When Sunja reflects on her life in Japan, she says:
‘There is no place for you in this country,’ said the old man. ‘But there’s a place for you somewhere, somewhere you’ve never imagined.’
This feeling of being between worlds shapes the characters’ lives and drives their pursuit of belonging.
How to implement this into your own work ⤵️
Explore the theme of belonging in your writing. What makes your characters feel out of place, and how do they seek connection or identity?
Writing Prompt ➔ Write a scene where your character feels caught between two worlds, unsure of where they belong. Show how this sense of displacement affects their actions.
The Weight of Secrets
Throughout Pachinko, characters carry burdens of secrecy that have profound effects on their relationships. These secrets often shape their decisions and complicate their personal connections.
For example, Sunja’s son, Noa, hides the truth about his parentage, which ultimately leads to feelings of shame and betrayal.
He did not belong. He was not of this world. He was an outsider to everyone.
This sense of carrying a secret, of not being able to fully connect with others, creates tension and complexity in the characters' interactions.
How to implement this into your own work ⤵️
Secrets can add tension and depth to your characters. Consider what your characters are hiding from themselves or others, and how these secrets affect their behavior and relationships.
Writing Prompt ➔ Write a scene where a character struggles with the weight of a secret that they cannot share, and show how it impacts their relationships.
Resilience and the Pursuit of Hope
At its heart, Pachinko is a story of resilience. Despite the hardships the characters face—poverty, discrimination, loss—they continue to fight for a better future. The pursuit of hope, even in the face of adversity, is a powerful theme throughout the book.
For example, when Sunja reflects on her own perseverance, she thinks:
You don’t have to make it right, you just have to keep going.
This idea of pushing forward, of enduring despite the odds, is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.
How to implement this into your own work ⤵️
Think about how your characters respond to hardship. Do they give up, or do they find ways to endure and push forward? Resilience can be a defining trait in your character’s arc.
Writing Prompt ➔ Write a scene where a character faces a significant challenge but continues on their journey, driven by the hope of a better future.
So have I convinced you to read Pachinko? It really is a stunning exploration of family, identity, and the strength to persevere through life’s obstacles.
If you have read Pachinko it, do you agree with my analysis? Let me know in the comments ⤵️
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A lot of you have here coincides with my own shift in writing over the past decade. I also have Stephen King's On Writing on my shelf, but I found Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird far more influential and way more resonant to what you're stating here. Absolutely solid advice.
Good post.
No 2 is the clincher. It's akin to layers of an onion. People we know in real life, we know from the outside in, depending how many layers they show to us. Our characters we must know from the inside out so we understand *why* they react the way they do.