A Gesture Life

Most of us have an incident or event that we would like to atone for, but rarely do we go as far as Franklin, the protaganist of A Gesture Life by Chang-Rae Lee. This was a back up pick for book club but I decided I'd be better off by reading it, and I think I was. We learn early that Franklin once lived with someone named Sunny, but it's not clear who Sunny is, or what relation she is to Franklin. In a unique use of flashback, Mr. Lee recounts Franklin's stint in the Japanese army as a medic during WWII. He faces moral and ethical decisions everyday, many that regardless of his choice, have negative outcomes. When "volunteer" comfort women are brought to the camp to keep the morale high, it is Franklin's responsibility to make sure they are kept fit. He is a witness to, and asked to be an accomplice to, life changing violence. Years later he adopts Sunny as a young child as a way to make up for his role in the destruction of the young womens' lives.
In his later, American, life, Franklin makes a series of gestures, or tokens, to atone for everything he's been through. He's a model shopkeeper, a diligent neighbor, and a loyal friend. But no matter what he does, misfortune seems to prey on those he loves. Not one to be dogged down, he gives everything he can for those around him. It doesn't come off as desperate or pathetic, however, as he doesn't ask for recognition.
I enjoyed this book; it was an easy but thoughtful read and I'll give it 4/5 Netflix stars.
Wine pairing: Retsina Wine by Boutari. This Greek wine has pine overtones that Franklin would appreciate as they'd remind him of his well minded suburban garden. The woodsiness might also be reminiscent of working in the field during the war.