Super Short Summary

Year of Impossible Goodbyes by Sook Nyul Choi follows young Sookan and her family's struggle for Korean independence amid Japanese occupation and subsequent Russian communist control. Sookan, her brother Inchun, and their mother endure hardships, working in a sock factory and experiencing brutal oppression. After World War II, they attempt a perilous escape to South Korea, where they hope to reunite with their family and find freedom. The novel addresses themes such as tyranny, cultural identity, and the importance of family. The book includes sensitive content related to wartime atrocities and enslavement.