Please enable JavaScript
The Calligrapher's Daughter | LitPick Book Reviews
The Calligrapher's Daughter
The Calligrapher's Daughter: A Novel
The Calligrapher's Daughter
Eugenia Kim
"A beautiful, deliberate and satisfying story spanning 30 years of Korean history . . . Elegant."―Publishers Weekly (starred review)In early-twentieth-century Korea, Najin Han, the privileged daughter of a calligrapher, longs to choose her own destiny, though her country―newly occupied by Japan―is crumbling, and her family, led by her stern father, is facing difficulties that seem insurmountable. Narrowly escaping an arranged marriage, Najin takes up a new role as a companion to a young princess. But the king is soon assassinated, and the centuries-old dynastic culture comes to its end.Najin pursues a coveted education and is surprised to find love. After one day of marriage a denied passport separates her from her new husband, who continues alone to America. As a decade passes and the world descends into war, Najin loses touch with her husband. Will the love they share be enough to sustain her through the deprivation her country continues to endure? The Calligrapher's Daughter is a richly drawn novel about a nation torn between ancient customs and modern possibilities, and is a "vivid, heartfelt portrait of faith, love and life for one family during a pivotal time in history" (Bookpage).

Book Details

Genre: 

  • Historical Fiction

Age Level: 

  • 12 and up
Profile Picture

This story takes place in Korea in the twentieth century. Najin Kan is a spirited young woman with great potential in education. Her mother thrives to see her succeed, but her father, being a traditional Korean, is reluctant about the idea of a young girl going to school. Then he decides her education is well, he wants to marry her to an aristocratic family. Her mother is so against it, she sends Najin away to be an companion to a young princess. But shortly after, the king is murdered, and the princess has to leave.

To add your comments, login above or request a LitPick membership.
RECENT BOOK REVIEWS