White Mulberry

In 1928 Korea was occupied by Japan. Eleven year old Miyoung lives in a village with her mother and one of her sisters where she attends the local school. Miyoung has a good relationship with her teacher who suggests that she should continue her education. Her older sister has just had a marriage arranged for her and Miyoung does not want the same thing to happen to her.

Eventually it is decided that Miyoung should go to Japan to attend school and live with her sister and her new husband. Miyoung soon discovers that students from Korea are not welcomed by Japanese students. To fit in, she adopts a Japanese name, Miyoko, but life is still extremely difficult. Miyoung wants to continue her studies but cannot afford the cost so finds work as a nurse's aid and a maid. Meanwhile she meets Hojoon and they have a son, Ko-chan. However when Hojoon dies, Miyoung once again has to decide how she can earn money to support her son. What she really wants to do is to return to Korea but by this time Japan is involved in the Second World War making the decision to travel home more difficult.

White Mulberry by Rosa Kwon Easton is a novel based on the life of the author's grandmother and her father. It is a story of living in a time of challenge and mistrust. It is a world of hatred but love and understanding may still be found as Miyoung is determined to make a good and safe life for her young son. The novel is also a study of a young woman choosing to live her own life in an environment where females are meant to be subservient.

This book was one of three books selected as a possible title for discussion by the Monash Alumni Book Club in August-September 2025.