American Han - a Korean family strives for the American Dream.

Jane Kim is the daughter of Korean immigrants. When the story begins in 2001, Jane is in her final year of law school in San Francisco, feeling dissatisfied with her career path, which she has pursued more to meet her parents' expectations than her own. Her mother is also unhappy and has finally made the decision to move out of the family home in Napa, leaving her husband, Jane's father. Jane's domineering parents also affected her brother Kevin, a police officer who, like Jane, had excelled in tennis, but was unable to make it in the professional ranks. Kevin was their golden child but felt immense pressure. Although she was the more gifted sibling, Jane was never considered good enough. After a shocking family event, Jane reflects on her past and the impact of her parents' ambitions.  

American Han by Lisa Lee is an emotional book about immigrants pursuing the American Dream yet it is often sprinkled with humor. "Han" is a Korean term that describes the suppressed anger and sorrow felt from oppression. As American immigrants, the Kims desperately want to succeed and assimilate, creating a different form of "han" and placing extremely high expectations on their children. As the family comes to terms with it all, the pain feels very real. The minimalist cover art of Lee's impressive debut, showing kimchi burning, speaks volumes. 

Many thanks to Algonquin Books for the advance.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars.

Literary Fiction.

Publication Date: March 31, 2026.

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