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A review by vanessatheecreative
The Starlet and the Spy by Ji-Min Lee
2.0
I wanted to love this book from the second I read the back cover but just like others it fell short for me. Don't read this for Marilyn she's barely in it. Read it for the stories of the Korean War, to honor the cruel tax War and destruction levy on the civilians as much as the military. I read [b:Pachinko|34051011|Pachinko|Min Jin Lee|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529845599l/34051011._SY75_.jpg|50384116] earlier in Asian Heritage Month and following it up with The Starlet and the Spy gave me the perspective of those who stayed in Korea during the war. I believe this book could have had the in depth development of characters, backstories, and romances had it had another 100 pages. I felt no true connection past empathy for those who lived (and still live) in such dire circumstances.
The love triangle felt like a plot device more than it did a true romance worthy of my fevered page turning.
Now let's talk about Marilyn's presence (or lack thereof) in this novel. I could equate my disappointment in this as the lead actor from the original is cast in the remake to fill seats but is killed off within 20 minutes of the film. I kept waiting for Marilyn to have an Ella Fitzgerald moment in Korea. To help Kim rescue the lost child and steal her away to America or really just do anything but pose for pictures and take pills. There was so much that was underdeveloped within this story that had Marilyn been cut out entirely, Lee could have turned her attention to filling out her true main character's world. I still enjoyed this short novel finding the perspective and story a necessary read. I didn't love it and that unrequited love has made me bitter.
The love triangle felt like a plot device more than it did a true romance worthy of my fevered page turning.
Spoiler
The doomed love affair incites the big reveal and naturally that fell flat as well. When Alice spent the entire novel talking about how she had killed her lover's child I expected her to ACTUALLY kill this child. Writing a nasty letter to his wife causing her to bring his child to Seoul right before the war began to get bloody wasn't the dramatic reveal I thought the buildup had pushed us to.Now let's talk about Marilyn's presence (or lack thereof) in this novel. I could equate my disappointment in this as the lead actor from the original is cast in the remake to fill seats but is killed off within 20 minutes of the film. I kept waiting for Marilyn to have an Ella Fitzgerald moment in Korea. To help Kim rescue the lost child and steal her away to America or really just do anything but pose for pictures and take pills. There was so much that was underdeveloped within this story that had Marilyn been cut out entirely, Lee could have turned her attention to filling out her true main character's world. I still enjoyed this short novel finding the perspective and story a necessary read. I didn't love it and that unrequited love has made me bitter.