'A great book, a passionate story, a novel of magisterial sweep. It's also fiendishly readable – the real deal. An instant classic, a quick page-turner, and probably the best book of the year' Darin Strauss, New York Times-bestselling author of Chang and Eng.

'Luminous ... a powerful meditation on what immigrants sacrifice to achieve a home in the world' Junot Diaz.

'Gripping ... a stunning achievement, full of heart, full of grace, full of truth' Erica Wagner.

'The sweep of Dickens and Tolstoy applied to a twentieth-century Korean family in Japan' Gary Shteyngart.

'Love, luck, and talent combine with cruelty and random misfortune in a deeply compelling story, with the troubles of ethnic Koreans living in Japan never far from view. An old-fashioned epic whose simple, captivating storytelling delivers both wisdom and truth' Kirkus.

'[A] beautifully crafted story of love, loss determination, luck, and perseverance ... Lee's skilful development of her characters and story lines will draw readers into the work. Those who enjoy historical fiction with strong characterisations will not be disappointed as they ride along on the emotional journeys offered in the author's latest page-turner' Library Journal.

'A long novel, but it never feels it - Min Jin Lee's storytelling is effortless' Stylist Pick of the best new books for 2017.

'[A]n exquisite, haunting epic ... Lee's profound novel of losses and gains explored through the social and cultural implications of pachinko-parlor owners and users is shaped by impeccable research, meticulous plotting, and empathic perception' Booklist Starred Review.

'An epic, multi-generational saga' Best of 2017, Mail on Sunday.

'Min Jin Lee has the confidence to leave gaps of years in her tale, to tell it in vignettes ... Keeps you wanting to know what happens next ... It's an enjoyable tale in its own right. But I can't help thinking it might just be a bit more important than that' The Bookbag.

'A gorgeous saga of survival, family and love, told in effortless prose' Phoenix Magazine - best of 2017.