Setting for novel

The book, Year of Impossible Goodbyes, by Sook Nyul Choi, takes place in Pyongyang, North Korea in the time of spring 1945. This was the time periodwhen the Japanese took over Korea and made them look like the Japanese people and speak only the Japanese language. In the backyard of Sookan and her family, there is an old pine tree with pale green needles. The ice are melting, and you can feel the warmth of the sun but the air is heavy with the sounds of weapons in the air. This was the time of world war two when you could hear the cries of both South and North Koreans floating in the sky.

In this book, everyday Sookan's female family members and other female workers would have to make socks for the Japanese army. Later a captain would come to the factory which was right next to Sookan's house and have an inspection. He would check if they were working, and checking if they were giving the young kids education. The Year of Impossible Goodbyes is not only just a book, but a book that shows thoughts and feelings of the people who lived during world war two.