I love the writing of Elisa Shua Dusapin who is a French Korean author. I read Pachinko Parlour this year that set me off on a love affair reading all her books as well as exploring Korean and Japanese books, food and culture.

I wanted to read her latest novel Vladivostock Circus which was all about a small group of performers who did the Russian Bar act for a Russian circus and her writing was so atmospheric that I decided to run it as a Book Club book for the book club I convene at my golf course.

Personally, I loved the book because it made me have a glimpse into a Russian circus (without the animals which are now long gone but the smell of them still remain).

This is her third book. Her first one was Winter In Sokcho (brilliant – this video hasn’t been published yet and I’ll publish it in late September). Then came Pachinko Parlour that took place in Japan and finally, Vladivostock Circus.

If you don’t know what the Russian bar is, then check out this video. It’s quite amazing what feats they do by jumping up in their air, doing somersaults and landing on a small strip of wood held by two people. The teamwork required for this act is important so the novel drew some light into the life of such performers.