In May, we’re welcoming back a Brunch Book Club favourite, the brilliant Ela Lee, author of Jaded, who joined us for an unforgettable online discussion back in 2024. Her second novel, Minbak, is every bit as powerful: sweeping, emotional, and profoundly moving.
The story begins in 1985, when a baby without a surname is born the same night the army rolls into town. Set between South Korea and London, Minbak follows three generations of women — Hana, Youngia, and Ada — as they navigate dictatorship, exile, motherhood, and the weight of untold history. It’s a haunting and tender exploration of identity, memory, and the cost of silence.
We’ll start with an online discussion before gathering for brunch at Bondi Green, Paddington, our most sun-drenched venue yet. Overlooking Regent’s Canal and just a short walk from Paddington Station.
See you at brunch! 🥂📚🥑
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Bondi Green, Paddington
Bondi Green brings a slice of Australia to London’s Paddington Basin. With an 18m marble bar, open-flame cooking and sunny terrace views of Regent’s Canal, it’s the perfect spot for bottomless brunches and laid-back weekend vibes.
Minbak
The night the baby without a surname was born, the army rolled into his mother’s town.
Incheon, South Korea, 1985. The country is revolting against a dictatorship, but in the local boarding-house, the chaos inside is only just beginning. When Hana is pulled from school to work in her family’s minbak, all she wants is to escape her small town. When she finally does, she leaves as an exile, a ruin, or a martyr, depending on who you ask. Her mother Youngia is left behind with the torment of both of their decisions.
London, 2008. Ada knows little about her mother, Hana. When tragedy hits, Hana has no choice but to move her daughter and ailing mother into a single room and turn the rest of their home into a minbak. As the past collides with the present, Ada is determined to unearth her mother’s secrets. But her obsession will lead to a discovery that unravels not just her family’s dark past, but that of an entire country’s.
From Korea’s industrial estates to London’s suburbs, the three women cross continents and generations to find truth, forgiveness and compassion.
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PLEASE NOTE: This is an all day event starting with our online book discussion at 10:30am followed by brunch in the afternoon. To ensure you have all details please sign up to our mailing list where you'll receive a full itinerary, discussion questions, Online Discussion link and much more.
PREORDER & PREPAYMENT POLICY: To confirm your place, we require a full preorder and prepayment one week in advance of the event. If these aren’t received by the deadline, your ticket will be forfeited. A preorder form will be sent to attendees via email two weeks before the event. To ensure you receive all communications please add admin@brunchbookclub.com to your contacts and always check your spam.