Finally, I'm getting to today's read...and I've been looking forward to it. I've enjoyed June Hur's works before and bet that this one will be just as easy to sink into. I believe it takes more of a lean in the historical fiction direction with romance...but I saw some comments claiming there are a few fantasy aspects. So, we'll see.
BEHIND FIVE WILLOWS
by June Hur
Feiwel & Friends
YA Historical Fiction
336 pages
COMING MAY 26th!!!
From the New York Times-bestselling author of A Crane Among Wolves comes a warm and romantic homage to Jane Austen set in historical Korea, about a reader and a writer who secretly fight against government book banning and find themselves irresistibly drawn together.
As the dutiful second-eldest daughter of a poor family, society would have Haewon believe that her only hope of a decent life is to marry well. But during a time of rampant government censorship and book banning, she instead works as an illegal book transcriber in order to make a little extra money. It’s dangerous work, but she loves it―especially when she gets to transcribe the work of her favorite author, known as Black Lotus.
When her older sister becomes smitten with a wealthy young gentleman, Haewon is roped into chaperoning them during their courtship. Which wouldn’t be so terrible... if it weren’t for the young man’s uptight and annoying best friend who also accompanies them.
As the only son of a noble, Seojun has a lot expected of him. Wealth. Status. Respectability. Certainly not frivolous and often illicit activities such as reading fiction. But Seojun loves to do something even more scandalous: writing. He’s kept his work secret from his father and friends, but with each passing day, the pressure of being his father’s son and the dispiriting actions of the government make Seojun question the purpose of it all. The only thing keeping him going are the encouraging letters he receives from his transcriber, known only as Magpie.
When his best friend falls hard for a girl of lower social status, Seojun finds himself forced to act as chaperone to the infatuated couple―along with the girl's younger sister, who is as irritating as she is judgmental. But as Haewon and Seojun spend more time together, they begin to suspect they may have judged each other too quickly...
As the dutiful second-eldest daughter of a poor family, society would have Haewon believe that her only hope of a decent life is to marry well. But during a time of rampant government censorship and book banning, she instead works as an illegal book transcriber in order to make a little extra money. It’s dangerous work, but she loves it―especially when she gets to transcribe the work of her favorite author, known as Black Lotus.
When her older sister becomes smitten with a wealthy young gentleman, Haewon is roped into chaperoning them during their courtship. Which wouldn’t be so terrible... if it weren’t for the young man’s uptight and annoying best friend who also accompanies them.
As the only son of a noble, Seojun has a lot expected of him. Wealth. Status. Respectability. Certainly not frivolous and often illicit activities such as reading fiction. But Seojun loves to do something even more scandalous: writing. He’s kept his work secret from his father and friends, but with each passing day, the pressure of being his father’s son and the dispiriting actions of the government make Seojun question the purpose of it all. The only thing keeping him going are the encouraging letters he receives from his transcriber, known only as Magpie.
When his best friend falls hard for a girl of lower social status, Seojun finds himself forced to act as chaperone to the infatuated couple―along with the girl's younger sister, who is as irritating as she is judgmental. But as Haewon and Seojun spend more time together, they begin to suspect they may have judged each other too quickly...
MY TIDBITS
If you enjoy romances set in historical Korea, which holds the ancient atmosphere firm but delivers it with an ease fitting to modern readers, this book is for you.
First off, this isn't a true YA read through and through in the sense that the main characters are in their twenties. They are worried about marriages, but this works thanks to the historic aspect. But the book is written in a YA appropriate manner and is steered in a way that will grab this audience level.
Haewon is the second of three daughters of a well-off but not overly high-leveled family. Her and her sisters are known to be a bit problematic, although they've never really caused meaningful scandals or ruined the family honor. Haewon loves to read books, which are forbidden, and secretly transcribes works from a 'forbidden' author. Her older sister is facing forced marriage due to an imperial proclamation that all women need to be married by a certain age. Seojun, the other main character, is the son of a very wealthy and long respected and powerful family. He lives under tight constraints and values but is secretly the questionable author. When he accidentally meets Haewon, his biggest fan, he's interested in a female for the very first time. She doesn't know his identity but is also drawn to him, but it's not only their societal rankings that make a relationship difficult. Both have gone directly against royal proclamations and both could face horrible consequences if discovered.
As usual, the author has created a rich world, which is easy to sink into. The historic aspects open wide and embrace with natural flow. There are just enough details to make the surroundings sit without growing heavy, and the ideals and thoughts of the time sit deep in each character. While historical, however, the author delivers the characters with easy-to-read dialogue and scenes. It's historical but takes on enough modern style to make it very accessible and smooth. The characters each carry distinct personalities, and although their worries match historic times, they are understandable and relatable. There's depth to each one and enough arc even in sub-characters to make them enjoyable to meet.
This is a romance and historical fiction drama flow smoothly and keep a steady, grabbing pace the entire way through. Both Haewon and Seojun have their quirks to create a slow-burn relationship with it's stumbles and twists. It's not sappy or quick. The other problems the characters face mount steadily during the read, packing increased urgency as the pages turn...but it's not high-tension until later, and even then, just enough to keep the tale grabbing with a bit of danger. For someone like me, who is a bit more of an action girl, it's very steady but a touch slow, since the first half heavily leans into the situations of Haewon and Seojun as they make their encounters, first friendship steps, and the foundation surrounding the 'forbidden' books and their activities gains depth and momentum. But it's never boring, either. The tale grabs and keeps the reader engaged, since the characters come across so nicely, and it's clear that something has to give, at one point.
I highly recommend this one to historical romance fans, who love world depth and a fog of intrigue to keep things on their toes.
And here she is...
June Hur is a New York Times-bestselling and Edgar Award-winning author of YA historicals, including The Silence of Bones, The Forest of Stolen Girls, The Red Palace, A Crane Among Wolves, and Behind Five Willows. Born in South Korea, June spent her formative years in the USA, Canada, and South Korea before studying History and Literature at the University of Toronto, and working at the city’s public library. Her work has been featured in Forbes, NPR, The New York Times, CBC, and KBS. June resides in Toronto with her family and can be spotted writing in coffee shops.
1 comment:
I enjoy reading June Hur's books too. Thanks for the heads up that this is really adult fiction. I like historical fiction so will keep my eyes open for this one. Happy New Year!
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