‘Dusapin’s beautiful prose with imagery both metallic and mineral, insinuates its way towards a delicate empathy between the generations, as well as examining the confusion that comes with dual nationality, and the lifetime loss that is exile.’ Irish Times ‘This tale of shared history and identity is written in prose that crackles with intelligence and imagination.’ ES Magazine ‘ impactful book about heritage and discovery.’ i-D Guide

‘A beautiful book.’ Joanna Lee for BBC Radio 4 Open Book ‘Pleasantly atmospheric absorbing in their attention to detail and the beauty of the mundane. ‘A captivating exploration of identity and unspoken histories.’ ‘Fragmentation, recurring imagery and a flair for evoking atmosphere so effective that lassitude seems to seep through the pages recalls Deborah Levy’s writing.’ Guardian ‘Dusapin’s beautiful prose, with imagery both metallic and mineral, insinuates its way towards a delicate empathy between the generations, as well as examining the confusion that comes with dual nationality, and the lifetime loss that is exile.’ Catherine Taylor, Irish Times Crisp and enigmatic, Shua Dusapin’s writing glows with intelligence. The Pachinko Parlour is a nuanced and beguiling exploration of identity and otherness, unspoken histories, and the loneliness you can feel amongst family. And as Mieko and Claire gradually bond, a tender relationship growing, Mieko’s determination to visit the pachinko parlour builds.

Shiny is still open, drawing people in with its bright, flashing lights and promises of good fortune. When they first arrived in Japan, they opened Shiny, a pachinko parlour. They fled the civil war there over fifty years ago, along with thousands of others, and haven’t been back since. The plan is for Claire to visit Korea with her grandparents. Claire finds herself dividing her time between tutoring ten-year-old Mieko, in an apartment in an abandoned hotel, and lying on the floor at her grandparents: daydreaming, playing Tetris and listening to the sounds from the street above. Women’s calves, men’s shoes, heels trodden down by the weight of bodies borne for too long. I lie on the floor and gaze out of the window. Longlisted for The National Book Critics Circle Awards for Barrios Books in Translation Prize.įrom the author of Winter in Sokcho, Winner of the 2021 National Book Award for Translated Literature.

Elisa shua dusapin books