61 pages • 2 hours read
Richard E. KimLost Names: Scenes from a Korean Boyhood
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1970A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Lost Names by Richard E. Kim portrays his childhood experiences during the Japanese occupation of Korea, depicting his family's struggles against oppression, cultural loss, and personal resilience. It illustrates various scenes from Kim’s early years, including their move to Manchuria, life under Japanese rule, and the eventual Japanese surrender, culminating in the reoccupation of their town led by Mr. Kim. This book includes intense depictions of physical violence and emotional trauma.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Lost Names by Richard E. Kim is well-received for its poignant portrayal of a Korean family's resilience under Japanese occupation. Critics praise its powerful narrative and cultural insight, though some find its episodic structure disjointed. Overall, it's commended for its emotional depth and historical significance.
Who Should Read Lost Names?
Readers who enjoy Lost Names by Richard E. Kim are typically drawn to poignant narratives set against historical backdrops. Fans of Min Jin Lee's Pachinko or Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner will appreciate the deeply personal chronicles of resilience and identity under colonial rule in this compelling autobiographical fiction.
RecommendedReading Age
15-18yearsBook Details
Historical Fiction
Korean Literature
Asian Literature