Five of us, Annie, Joan, Linda, Maddy, and myself, met to discuss Lisa See's The Island of Sea Women, also known as the island of wind, stones, and women.  This is a historical novel based on the true history of Chejudo, Korea.  Apparently Lisa See spent six years doing research for this book which gave her a wealth of material for her story.
     We were all impressed by the divers' physical prowess and dedication to providing for their families despite the bitter cold and dangerous environment of their work.  It was pointed out by the group that, as in many parts of the world, women did much of the work but had little education or political power compared to men.  In this book it was surprising to read that men helped by caring for the small children and doing the cooking while the women both dove for an income and did the farming.  The deep bonds that they formed in their collectives clearly provided emotional support and helped keep them safe in the water.  The book made clear the very real risks the divers took and unfortunately how injuries and drownings did occur.
     The other aspect of the book that all agreed to have been surprising was the brutal, tragic history of the islanders after World War II and the partitioning of Korea.  The book graphically illustrates how the South Korean military, police, and vigilante groups massacred villagers and destroyed villages in the name of rooting out communism.  Women and children were tortured and killed due to guilt by association.  All the while Americans were the "administrators" of the island and ignored the unfolding tragedy.  It seems that the islanders, mainly men, were protesting partition and their being excluded from political decision making.  They and their families and neighbors were sought and exterminated.  Interestingly, when I was a Peace Corps volunteer on Chejudo in the 60's, I never heard a word about this history.  Apparently it was illegal to mention it even within families.  Only recently the South Korean government has begun investigating these events, unearthing mass graves, and establishing a Peace Park on the island.  Koreans from the mainland are coming to Chejudo to learn more about this dark part of their history.
     Some in the group did feel that the length of the book was excessive.  Many felt that her skipping back and forth in time became confusing.  Some felt that the book was rather formulaic, that the author tends to write about relationships among women and weave in regional history.  This particular group of women and their history, however, seem quite unique to me.  All agreed that this was a heavy book, full of hardship and few happy moments.  I suspect that life was like that for those women.
     Some were puzzled that a woman like Mi Ja could watch a child be brutally murdered and not speak up to save him.  Also I was puzzled by how Young Sook refused any contact with her daughter or grandchild after the daughter married Mi Ja's son.  Young Sook held such deep resentment and anger for her friend's betrayal and refused to forgive her.  We can so easily judge behaviors like these, but we discussed how inappropriate it is to pass judgement on a person from another culture.
     The group discussed the Shamanic tradition that was so fundamental to the Cheju culture.  The government tried to eliminate the Shamanic practices, but the islanders have held onto that culture.  We also discussed the lovely practice of making rubbings as keepsakes at significant events.
     The ending seemed somewhat abrupt to some in the group and also a bit puzzling.  It is unclear whether Young Sook finally did forgive her daughter and Mi Ja or not.  The author left it up to the reader to decide.  In the end the group found the book to be a stimulating read.