When my aunt discovered that I was interested in Pearl S. Buck, she lend me this book by one of Pearl S. Buck's adoptive daughters. (This copy was my cousin-in-law's, my aunt's daughter-in-law) Some of my family members attend the same church as Julie.
Julie Henning (Sooni Goo) was born in South Korea soon after the Korean war. Her father, whom she never met, was a GI with a wife and family in the United States. Her mother was Korean. Even though Julie was Ameriasian, her Korean mother choose to keep her and raise her. Koreans treated mixed race children with contempt and disdain. Korea would not allow them to claim Korea as their birthplace; America would not either.
Although Julie endured poverty in Korea with her mother, the tone of the book was joyful and full of gratitude. Her diligence in her studies caused Pearl S. Buck, who was an advocate for Ameriasians, to notice her and eventually "adopt" her. At age fifteen, she enters the United States and experiences an incredible new life with Pearl S. Buck, the Price family, and then her own husband and family. By living with the Prices, she attends a Bible preaching church and then accepts Christ as her Savior.
I loved every minute that I read this book. I found the Korean culture fascinating, Pearl S. Buck's generoisty inspiring, and God's providence amazing. The writing at times is disorganized and not like that of a published writer. It was also repetitive at points. She also talks to her deceased Korean mother and deceased Ms. Buck like they could hear her.
Mrs. Henning speaks often about her experiences and has met numerous famous individuals all over the world.
*Highly recommend (but see above about my comments on the writing). **If you give this to a high schooler or junior higher, please know that the reader can infer that Julie's Korean mother is a prostitute to GIs to earn money/food. Nothing inappropriate in depicted.**
-Borrowed from my cousin-in-law.
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