The Island of Sea Women

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “A mesmerizing new historical novel” (O,The Oprah Magazine) from Lisa Seethe bestselling author of The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Laneabout female friendship and devastating family secrets on a small Korean island. Mi-ja and Young-sooktwo girls living on the Korean island of Jejuare best friends who come from very different backgrounds. When they are old enoughthey begin working in the sea with their village’s all-female diving collectiveled by Young-sook’s mother. As the girls take up their positions as baby diversthey know they are beginning a life of excitement and responsibility—but also danger. Despite their love for each otherMi-ja and Young-sook find it impossible to ignore their differences. The Island of Sea Women takes place over many decadesbeginning during a period of Japanese colonialism in the 1930s and 1940sfollowed by World War IIthe Korean Warthrough the era of cell phones and wet suits for the women divers. Throughout this timethe residents of Jeju find themselves caught between warring empires. Mi-ja is the daughter of a Japanese collaborator. Young-sook was born into a long line of haenyeo and will inherit her mother’s position leading the divers in their village. Little do the two friends know that forces outside their control will push their friendship to the breaking point. “This vivid…thoughtful and empathetic” novel (The New York Times Book Review) illuminates a world turned upside downone where the women are in charge and the men take care of the children. “A wonderful ode to a truly singular group of women” (Publishers Weekly)The Island of Sea Women is a “beautiful story…about the endurance of friendship when it’s pushed to its limitsand you…will love it” (Cosmopolitan).