The Vanished: A Novel - Book Review

The Annexation Treaty Vanished Korea’s Sovereignty and Culture

by Pejay Bradley

Korea’s five thousand years of heritage and culture vanished with just one treaty. This is what happens to the Asian country according to Pejay Bradley in her historical fiction, The Vanished. Set in the early 1900s, the book focuses on Korea’s political and social climate. 

The story of The Vanished begins in the summer of 1912 with Lady Sougyon giving birth. The new mother names her son Embon. But she is worried about the time and season the baby is born. Embon is born in the Year of the Rat, in midsummer, and at high noon. In Korean culture, this combination is a sign of bad luck. Nonetheless, Lady Sougyon is determined to raise her baby albeit single-handedly and against cultural taboo. 

Meanwhile, the political situation in Korea during this period is tense. Since the signing of the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty two years earlier, Koreans have been anxious about their future. Although the treaty stipulates mutually beneficial provisions for both countries, they know that Korea is at a disadvantage. They are aware that the Japanese military forces are stronger and well-organized. They would not hesitate in imposing strict rules. Besides, the invaders believe they are above world opinions.

Even King Gojong, the reigning monarch at the time was reluctant to sign the treaty. He knew that it meant the loss of his country’s sovereignty. But, he had no choice then.

Since the signing of the treaty in August 1910, Koreans have been marching to the streets in protest. Their unrest escalates by the day despite threats and torture from the Japanese military. Many of the dissidents go abroad to organize and make plans to topple the invader’s rule. And then, on March 1, when a big event occurs at the park, the protesters carry out a successful attack on the Japanese. From that day onwards, the underground movement continues to grow, gaining more supporters each day.

Meanwhile, Embon is still a naive royal. He lives and studies in comfort in a university away from his country. Until he meets his fellow Koreans there. Embon’s perspective begins to shape up at a new level. The plot of The Vanished takes new twists and turns, too. And from here onwards, I leave the details for you, readers, to uncover.

The Book and the Author of The Vanished

Pejay Bradley is undisputedly a well-organized author. She provides a thorough background of the political and social climate in Korea since the signing of the annexation treaty. This helps non-Korean readers and those who don’t have any idea about Japan’s occupation of Korea to understand their indignation towards the Japanese.

Bradley also builds up each of the main characters very well, and as vividly as possible. At the same time, The Vanished’s story ascends at a steady pace, keeping the reader’s attention glued to the pages. Her ability to keep the story as closely as possible to the actual historical events makes the reader almost forget they’re reading only historical fiction.

What I like the most in The Vanished is Embon’s transformation from a naive royal to a real Korean patriot. Bradley shows in him the heart of a typical Korean in terms of cultural attachment.

However, there is something that I must also point out in the book. The author is unable to tie some of the loose ends of The Vanished. There are many characters that she misses to close in the end. But then, I can let it slip up in favor of the good story.

The Vanished’s Technical Side

Moreover, I noticed a handful of grammatical errors in The Vanished. But, I choose to ignore them as they don’t actually ruin the entire story. Therefore, I give the book a rating of 5 out of 5 stars, and I recommend it to readers of all age groups, especially those who love history.