The Surrendered, by Chang Rae Lee

The opening scene, depicting the child June Han’s flight from the erupting war that became the Korean Conflict is horrific, and it was a fascinating side note to read that it was based on the author’s father’s experience – which he had not revealed until his son,as an adult, specifically questioned him about his past. The events that occur in Korea reach down into present time. June, long a resident in the US, is ill and is searching for her son, Nicholas, who after high school left for Europe and has contacted her over the years only with postcards and the occasional request for small amounts of money. The journey to find him will take her and Hector Brennan, who worked in the orphanage in Korea that she took refuge in, to Italy, and more importantly, result in their visiting their shared past, old sorrows, and new revelations. Well-written and engrossing, and very, very depressing. 469 pp.