The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See is a historical fiction novel exploring the culture, history, and friendship of the haenyeo, the female divers of Jeju Island in South Korea. The novel spans from 1938 to 2008, following the lives of two haenyeo, Young-sook and Mi-ja, who grow up together in a diving collective. Their bond is tested by the events of World War II, the Korean War, and the Jeju Uprising, as well as their personal tragedies and choices.
I learnt so much about the fascinating UNESCO Cultural Heritage of haenyeo from this story, who have a long and unique tradition of harvesting various kinds of seafood and seaweed from the ocean floor without using any breathing equipment. Known as the ‘mermaids of South Korea’, Haenyeo are renowned for their independent spirit, iron will, and determination, as well as their semi-matriarchal family structure and environmentally-friendly fishing methods. Scientists have studied these women, whose physiologies have been altered by their way of life, making them more adaptable to cold environments. The novel is a story of resilience, loyalty, and forgiveness, as well as a tribute to the unique and endangered way of life of the haenyeo.