Barnes & NobleOfferings- A Novel by Michael ByungJu Kim

A view from 30,000 feet

I read Offerings on the plane from Seoul to NYC. I finished it three hours before landing—I couldn’t put it down. From the vantage point of 30,000 feet, I realized that this book offered insights into both the place I had just left and the country to which I was returning. A compelling account of a young man’s journey of self-discovery, Offerings provides insights into what it means to grow up as an immigrant in America and a stranger in one’s country of origin. The narrative introduces readers to the intricate world of Korean family relations, the burden of being the first son, and the value of group harmony over individual liberty. While Americans celebrate diversity as a sign of cosmopolitanism, the appeal of a homogeneous society is often compelling. Yet this story makes it clear that homogeneity is an illusion. Inequalities in education and wealth can be as pernicious as differences in race and religion. Shifting gears, the protagonist, fresh out of Harvard Business School, is plunged into financial negotiations as the Korean government faces bankruptcy and default. Courage and honesty are also required to navigate the insular world of chaebol conglomerates and, even more, romance. Commerce, common sense, and candor ultimately find a way to resolve or accept differences. A guide to the possibility of building bridges between individuals and ultimately cultures—Korean and American—this story radiates a powerful sense of optimism and pride in becoming a citizen of both.