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Translations of Beauty maps the tender yet tumultuous relationship of twin sisters Inah and Yunah, from their early years in South Korea to their coming-of-age in Queens, New York. At the heart of the narrative -- told from Yunah's intimate, engaging point of view -- is an unforgettable event from their childhood: an accident that disfigured Inah for life, and the overwhelming sadness and guilt Yunah feels at having been spared. Now that Inah and Yunah are adults, each in search of her own identity while trying to remain true to traditional family values, they must find a way to negotiate their past and become the people they dare -- and dream -- to be.
Emotionally charged and thought-provoking, Translations of Beauty is an insightful saga of the immigrant experience that will resonate with all readers.
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By chym-a (Brooklyn, NY United States)
If you want to read this as another Asian American lit, it would pass as mediocre, OK in its own end, somewhat low key, more realistic look at the down side of immigration that is always a set deal with so called American dream, or Etopianism, which only translates an false ad of the promised land and the westward progress. But this has already become a cliche in the immigrant literature field.
I got more drawn to another subject: what a woman's esthetic feature means to her life. Reading this sort of study done by nobody but Korean female author like Yun somehow reminded me of another Korean immigrant author Suki Kim and her novel "Interpreter". Because women are judged and treated according to their looks, and actually, that seems to be the only thing they are valued for in the culture, Korean women's obsession always appears intense. Their outrageous enthusiasm for plastic surgery is attributed to this national faith in women's looks, which only equates the unabashed objetification of women, which is only the norm of the society. But they do not seem to see it as the institutional sadism against women or deplorable commodification of humen beings. I do beieve this phenomenon can't be criticized more.
All the more, a novel like this reads as a testimony of how disasterous it is for a woman not to be equipped with the asset she is supposed to have to manuever her life. In this context, the real tragedy is that authors like these, Yun or Suki KIM's, having no criticism for the culture of ultimate objectification or commodification of women. Their writings on another tale of how important looks are for women never help Korean women get over the fallacy they should not comply any more. The film director Kim Gidok shows way keener view on Korean women's condition. When it comes to the 'face' issue, check "Time" out, which is dealing with the science of cosmetic surgery and mechanism of people's minds regarding for women's faces.
By Daniel hodkins (St. Augustine, Florida)
I usually avoid Asian-American fiction as they are too similar in nature and too full of cliches. However, I read Mia Yun's poetically written House of the Winds and was hooked. I knew I had discovered a remarkable writer. Her new book, Translations of Beauty, explores the lives of two sisters, one horribly damaged. Once again, it is beautifully, even poetically written, always willing to take chances to arrive at painful truths and always avoiding cliches. Highly recommended!
By Blunt_Korean (Canada)
While there are many elements of this novel that bring forth emotional value, the element that struck me the most (reading as a Korean-Canadian male) was the wit instilled by Mia Yun to twins. In reading Mia Yun's narrative, I couldn't help but think back on my own immigrant experiences that remain so vivid within my own mind. The tension between the new and old world for children of Korean immigrants is one that we all have to endure and overcome. Clearly Mia Yun has found a voice for Korean-Americans.
By Booklover33 (Connecticut)
I had not heard of this novel or author when I saw the book on a list of "new immigrant classics" in a special New York Times feature on immigration, which is my area of study. And I must say that I agree that it shares something with the classics I love: that powerful, intangible that hits you and lingers after you finish the last word and makes you want to read it again. While ostensibly focused on the tribulations of a family of Koreans who immigrate to New York, the author has successfully transcended the genre and has provided a compelling and nuanced portrait of family relationships. Beautifully written and very highly recommended.
By Linda J. (Connecticut)
This is a novel of rare beauty which lingers in your mind long after you turn the last page. Whether in Korea, Italy or the immigrant mecca of Flushing, New York, Mia Yun offers the reader an impeccable and immediate sense of place. Written with subtle, comic and tragic touches, this palpably moving story of Korean-born twin sisters who immigrate to New York as small children explores many important issues such as self-identity, racial prejudice and the fleeting nature of beauty.
I enjoyed it tremendously. I am very eager to read this novel again as I feel there are more hidden treasures to discover.
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