BEHIND FIVE WILLOWS written by June Hur and read by Michelle H Lee

I’m addicted to the work of June Hur who infuses Korean history with drama and personalizes it with characters we care about. I read-listened to BEHIND FIVE WILLOWS. Michelle H Lee has narrated several of this author’s books and she proves her gift once again. Her reading easily moves between the dual perspectives of novel-loving commoner Haewon and writer Lord Seojun Yu in the 1792 Korean Josen Dynasty, a time when fiction has been banned. Characters abound in this world, and Lee identifies each clearly as, in the foreground, she pictures the oil and water in-person meetings of the protagonists with a PRIDE AND PREJUDICE quality. Yu dismisses Haewon’s lower class, Haewon detests his arrogance. Listeners may realize earlier than these protagonists that they have already revealed their true hearts during secret letters they’ve exchanged. She is Magpie, a committed fan of Black Lotus, Yu’s alter ego. Lee captures the slow-burn romance as well as their fears of and fights against censorship. You can find a link to the book and audio in the purchase button below.