The Last Story of Mina Lee by Nancy Jooyoun Kim

 

The Last Story of Mina Lee by Nancy Jooyoun Kim is about a Korean mother and daughter living in America. Margot lives out of state and does not get to spend much time with her mother, Mina. When Mina does not answer phone after several attempts, Margot decides to visit her mother. She is shocked to find her mother dead in her apartment. As Margot works her way through her mothers things to take care of them, she finds many secrets, including a clue to who her father is.

The story follows Mina’s point of view beginning when she came to America and Margot’s view after her mothers death. I love this type of writing because you uncover bits of the story at a time rather than all at once. Reading the story from different viewpoints lets you see a more complete story in my opinion.

My favorite character was Mina. She showed so much strength to immigrate to America on her own and work to build her life here. When she unexpectedly becomes pregnant with Margot and becomes a single mother, she has to work even harder to create a life for her and her daughter. She also stayed true to her culture and sometimes embarrassed Margot who did not understand the Korean culture as much.

This is Nancy Jooyoun Kim’s first novel, so I wanted to learn more about her and the book. The book is will be released 01September and I hope you enjoy. It is a very interesting story about the struggles of a single women in America who did not speak English and how she created a life for herself and her daughter. It will also show you that you don’t know your parents as well as you think you do and may have you digging into your own family secrets!

What was your inspiration for writing The Last Story of Mina Lee?

I wanted to write a story that I had never seen before, a story that explored the complicated interdependence between an immigrant mother and her American-born daughter, the ways in which they love, need, and sometimes resent each other. For example, as the only child of an immigrant single mother, the protagonist Margot loves her mother more than anyone in this world. She needs her. But at the same time, she resents how, growing up, she has to work at her mother’s store over the weekends and during school breaks. She resents how her mother refuses to talk much about her past, and Margot’s father, her origins as well. I also wanted to write a story that centered women, in particular marginalized women, and show how they not only live but lead extraordinary lives. Although this novel begins with a tragic ending for Mina, she is nonetheless very much the hero and the heart of this story—a woman who took risks and created change, a life for herself in surprising and unconventional ways.

What was your inspiration for writing The Last Story of Mina Lee?

I wanted to write a story that I had never seen before, a story that explored the complicated interdependence between an immigrant mother and her American-born daughter, the ways in which they love, need, and sometimes resent each other. For example, as the only child of an immigrant single mother, the protagonist Margot loves her mother more than anyone in this world. She needs her. But at the same time, she resents how, growing up, she has to work at her mother’s store over the weekends and during school breaks. She resents how her mother refuses to talk much about her past, and Margot’s father, her origins as well. I also wanted to write a story that centered women, in particular marginalized women, and show how they not only live but lead extraordinary lives. Although this novel begins with a tragic ending for Mina, she is nonetheless very much the hero and the heart of this story—a woman who took risks and created change, a life for herself in surprising and unconventional ways.

What was your favorite food-related scene to write and why?

There are so many food scenes, moments, and images that I love in this book. But the most memorable food scene for me is about three-quarters through the novel—after Mina and her friend Mrs. Baek reunite after over twenty years apart. They go to a restaurant and have soondubu jjigae together. I love the delicacy, the tenderness of this scene, how each of these two characters is attempting to rekindle and navigate this friendship with the guardedness that comes from being hurt and heartbroken so much. Mina also realizes that despite how strong and supportive Mrs. Baek has always been, Mrs. Baek needs Mina and friendship just like everyone else. Mina played and can play a large role in Mrs. Baek’s life and her survival too.

Why did Margot resist embracing her past so much?  

It’s important to note that Margot never experiences the Mina that we, as readers, see, know, and love throughout this book. Margot never witnesses her mother fall in love. She never knows the full story of why she had fled to America. Although her mother clearly makes so many sacrifices for her, Margot views her mother as often harsh, secretive, inaccessible. For this reason and in the context of a society that often doesn’t fully embrace other cultures, as an adult, Margot resents her mother; she is ashamed of what her mother represents because she has internalized some of the mainstream views, even xenophobia and racism against her. She judges her mother by the standards of the larger culture: “Why didn’t her mother learn to speak English?” Of course, this is only until her mother dies, which opens up the opportunity to finally get to know her mother, not only as a mother, but as a woman with an extraordinary story and life.

What is the number one take away you want your readers to leave with after finishing Mina's story? 

I hope this books sparks conversation about the mysteries, the secrets, and the silences within our own families. I hope this story encourages readers to ask the questions they’ve always wanted ask of the people whom they love the most. I hope we risk discomfort more.

Do you have plans for another novel? If so, can you share with us any details?

Yes, of course! I’m writing my next novel which also takes place near Los Angeles’ Koreatown and centers on the life of a Korean American family still grieving the mysterious death of the mother five years ago. Since I live in California where the housing crisis is very real and ongoing, the book explores issues of gentrification and homelessness through the lens of an immigrant family, struggling in their own ways to belong.

 

Thank you to the author and Park Row Books for allowing me to be a part of the BLOG tour for this book. If you are interested in keeping up with the author, you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

Twitter: @njooyounkim

Instagram: @njooyounkim