I find it difficult to write a review for this book because somehow I cannot point out the thing that didn't sit well with me...but I'll try.

This piece of historical (?) fiction refers to a specific event which I can't name otherwise it would be spoiler (I personally wasn't aware of it), but it happened between the 70s and 80s. Anyway, the parts that had to do with history (mainly the ones about Serk) were very interesting.
The rest was an analysis of the relationships between the protagonists which, IMO, didn't bring very far. The relationship between Louisa and Anne (mother and daughter) after Serk disappears? Weird. Now, Louisa is a problematic child and even a more problematic new adult, it felt like her adolescent phase doesn't really come to an end. Just like her father before her, she blames her mother for virtually everything. Anne might not have won the Mom Of The Year award, but her situation (being affected by multiple sclerosis) and the fact that Serk contributed to ruin the mom-daughter relationship and to shelter Louisa from virtually anything that was going on in their lives (for whatever reason, I mean I know why he did it but I found it a tad bit exaggerated) prior to his disappearance...I don't know, I cannot really blame her 100%.

It wouldn't be fair to harshly berate the novel, because I feel this book is objectively good (yes, I believe that some books are inherently good and some inherently bad, taste comes after that), but honestly it took me a good deal of effort to get to the end. I felt it was overwritten in most parts and it could have been shorter, but that's a matter of style and taste in this case.

Anyway, give it a chance. Happy reading!

I absolutely adored this book - Susan Choi is such a talented writer. Louisa, Anne, and Serk are all so well drawn and fascinating both individually and collectively. I thought this book would actually make a good pairing with Pachinko, as I felt like it covered a bit of a similar era of history in sections, and I loved that. There were just so many little sections I underlined as well, because they were so true or so well written or I just wanted to remember them. I can’t recommend this book enough.

In *Flashlight*, Susan Choi's latest novel, the author of *Trust Exercise*, readers are introduced to one family’s complicated history.

The basic premise follows an ethnically Korean father, who was born and raised in Japan, as he disappears one night while taking his young daughter for a stroll on the beach. However, this story is far from basic.

The narrative shifts through the perspectives of different family members, starting in the late 1940s and continuing to the present day. Just as a flashlight can illuminate a specific area while unable to reveal all, the characters struggle to reveal the bigger picture. As we navigate through each family member's story, we encounter their standoffish and private nature, compounded by the secrets they keep from each other.

This novel unveils the family's secrets spaning generations, different countries, and memory. Although I found the pacing challenging at times, I would recommend this novel. This slow unveiling is worth it. Thank you to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus, and Giroux for the ARC.

4.5 stars

Flashlight by Susan Choi
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.25/5)

This short story is quintessential Susan Choi—layered, introspective, and hauntingly precise. "Flashlight" dives into the strained relationship between a daughter and her ill mother, examining grief and longing in all their messy forms. I loved how Choi crafts Louisa, a precocious yet deeply flawed character who feels so real you might cringe at her sharp observations. The narrative is unsettling, and while it's slow-paced, every detail feels intentional, making you pause and reflect.

Some parts of the story felt a little too bleak, and I wanted more resolution. Still, this is a deeply moving read that lingers long after. Perfect for fans of literary fiction who appreciate character-driven stories.