Nora Okja Keller Book order

Set against the backdrop of the post-Korean War era, the narrative follows two teenage girls, Hyun Jin and Sookie, who create a makeshift family alongside Lobetto, a resourceful boy navigating survival in a harsh reality. The story explores themes of abandonment, resilience, and the complexities of love, particularly between a mother and daughter. Through their struggles, the novel unveils the profound impact of war on the lives of the vulnerable, highlighting both the horrors and the deep connections that emerge in dire circumstances.

Akiko, a Korean refugee, and her daughter Beccah are living on the edge in Honolulu after World War II, and struggling to come to terms with Akiko's years spent as a "comfort woman" for Japanese soldiers during the war. Reprint.