The Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum announced on August 27 that Min Jin Lee, the renowned author of the novel “Pachinko,” has been selected as the recipient of the 9th Fitzgerald Prize for Literary Excellence.
The museum stated that Lee was chosen for the Fitzgerald Prize, which is awarded to authors who continue the legacy of American storytelling and demonstrate social insight through their work.
Min Jin Lee first gained recognition with her debut novel, “Free Food for Millionaires,” published in 2008. Her second novel, “Pachinko,” released in 2017, became a New York Times bestseller and was named one of the “100 Best Books of the 21st Century,” drawing widespread attention.
“Pachinko” was also a finalist for the National Book Award in the fiction category the year it was published.
“Pachinko” tells the story of a family’s four-generation journey, starting with their migration from Busan, Korea, to Japan during the Japanese occupation. The novel explores the harsh discrimination and struggles faced by ethnic Koreans in Japan. The story was also adapted into a highly acclaimed drama series, with the first season airing in 2022 and the second season released on August 22.
The museum plans to present the award to Min Jin Lee during a ceremony on October 4.
BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]
