Book Club

The Island of Sea Women

The Island of Sea Women explores the bonds of friendship between women. It is set on the Korean island of Jeju and draws on the centuries-long history of the haenyeo, female divers who are the breadwinners of their families, while their husbands perform domestic duties of cooking meals and raising children. Two young girls living on the island become best friends as they train for and join the haenyeo. But as the years pass, Young-sook and Mi-ja must face the harsh realities of their respective lives, which draw them closer together and further apart, during 80 years of friendship.