Reviews of Translations of Beauty

“Yun’s second novel…is an insightful saga of the immigrant experience… A memorable portrayal, imbued with Yun’s poetic handling of [one] family’s unfulfilled dreams…”  – Booklist

 “A touching story of love, family, identity, and determination. …[Mia Yun’s] writing is fluid, and she captures the essence of her characters… An emotionally reflective piece to which many will relate.” – Library Journal

“[A]n engrossing tale, a fine blend of poignancy and storytelling… Yun writes with a graceful, poetic lyricism…  Translations of Beauty is a moving, beautifully-told story of a family that appears lost, but survives.”  – The Washington Times

“[R]ich and compelling, and utterly authentic.  [Mia Yun’s] skill as a writer and a storyteller put her on par with Isabelle Allende and Amy Tan, among others.” – WHRO Public Radio

“Yun captures all the pain and trauma of the immigration experience in this  atmospheric and powerful work…” – KoreAm Journal

“[A] compelling read… a captivating tale… A page turner [with] a fascinating supporting cast of characters.  [I]mmaculately detailed… superb writing.” – Asian American Press

“In a sparkling new novel, Translations of Beauty, Mia Yun makes a remarkable, and playfully original, addition to this canon in telling the tale of a Korean family who immigrate to Queens. …The story paints the immigrant experience in the tragic light that shines in such works as Puzo’s The Fortunate Pilgrim, Roth’s Call It Sleep  or stretching backward, Cahan’s The Rise of David Levinksy… America never turns out to conform to immigrant dreams… Mia Yun in her narrative has given a unique spin to this truth, using an at-turns touching, at-turns comic story told in her vivid prose.”  – Evergreen Review

“Touching and thought-provoking, …Deeply introspective…Yun’s ability to delve into the relationship between the twins adds complexity.” – Romantic Times

“…the novel will have an appeal for readers with their own experiences of displacement, and the despair of two sisters for whom opportunity has festered into hopelessness is convincingly portrayed.” – Publishers Weekly

“Translations of Beauty by Mia Yun  follows her widely acclaimed novel, House of the Winds… A look at the culture of Korean immigrants is the bonus this novel provides, along with a moving story.” – Bookviews.com

“Written with the intimacy of a memoir, Translations of Beauty is about beauty, yes, and scarring — of the body and heart. Mia Yun digs at the immigrant experience and the corroding American dream while closely examining one Korean family’s struggle to remain whole in white America, and the often unsaid negotiations, compromises and ultimate concessions made in the name of sisterhood.” – Julianna Baggott

“Mia Yun cuts through the pulp of the American dream–and deftly carves out one family’s struggle and disappointment. Translations of Beauty is a compelling read, a story that continues to reverberate long after the last page is read.” – Caroline Hwang

“Translations of Beauty is a delightful family drama that focuses on the long term impact of a trauma on twins.” – Harriet Klausner