Kept by Y. Euny Hong (2006, Hardcover)

This was a slightly amusing but forgettable book. The plot (at least the love interest part) is predictable, and characters lack depth to be believable--kind of an ethnic take on Pretty Woman. I was confused---was I supposed to find humor in the courtesan/graduate student situation or pathos in the Korean family relationships or shock at the incest? Neither situation was clearly the focus of the book, so confusion was the operative word. Was I reading a memoir or a novel? Usually a novel is better than the movie based on it; however, this book could be better as a film--I'd love to SEE the designer clothes, balls, and private clubs, etc., referred to in the book & the comic elements could really be interesting. Oh well, it does have a happy ending with all the little strings tied in pretty bows.