'A dazzling, visceral read. Intricately woven and playful, the prose has a brutal beating energy. At its heart is the fascinating Ms Mook, and the kaleidoscope of her life is a captivating history of Korea, a country torn apart' Catherine Cho, author of Inferno 'Stunning ... Lee is a master at storytelling' Lyn Liao Butler, author of Red Thread of Fate 'Fantastically original doesn't begin to describe this exhilarating, globe-spanning, decade-hopping masterpiece. Lee has achieved the impossible - from a fractured century of agonies and betrayals, she has woven a novel of immense beauty and regeneration' Junot Díaz, author of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao 'An unforgettable character and a bold, inventive narrative that takes us through history. Astonishing, compassionate and ambitious' Krys Lee, author of How I Became a North Korean 'Unflinching and tender, philosophical and mischievous, this playful novel conveys a sense of Korea's turbulent twentieth century through a charming, compelling protagonist who is not always a reliable narrator but who tells the truths that matter. I was captivated by Lee's masterful storytelling' Melissa Fu, author of Peach Blossom Spring