The Calligrapher's Daughter by Eugenia Kim

This was one of those books that looked interesting to me in the store, but I wasn't sure.  I thought maybe it might be a little dry, and really, I don't know much about Korea (where the story is set), so would I get it?  I'm so glad I picked this book up!  It is simply one of the best reads I've ever read.  It's hard to believe that someone's debut novel would be this beautiful.  I started recommending it out before I finished it (and I rarely do that).  As I said, the story takes place in Korea in the first part of the 1900's and spans 30 years.  Kim beautiful weaves the story of Najin and the history of Korea at this time.  Gorgeous!