Mary Connor, President and Program Director introduces Sang Bukaty
I found myself savoring each word, counting pages, afraid the story would end. Ms. Bukaty sets out the chapters in chronological order but each chapter as a separately standing piece. She chronicles her life’s journey through distinct episodes. The author allows the reader to feel with her through the dialogue and the gripping description of her emotions.
For someone who shared the same campus, (I went to Ewha Girl’s High School) Sang Bukaty’s honest and detailed description, particularly her incredibly vivid memory as a 5-year old child was so engaging, at times I felt as if I was reading my story.
A reader can only come away feeling the genuine love the author has toward her family and friends, as well as respect toward her past teachers.
(This review was translated into English from Korean)
On March 18th, 2010, Molly and Pete Chapman of Costa Mesa opened their lovely home in Mesa Verde, where Sang shared her story for OCCOW- www.Outreachweek.org-. Linda Sparks moderated the evening and Terry, Sang’s daughter was one of the co-hostesses.
Hostess Molly Chapman, standing
Co-hostesses, Victoria Freshwater and Karen Connor
with Terry, Sang’s daughter
Moderator, Linda Sparks from Beachcities community church
Sang at the book signing table at the 46th annual Orange Coast Christian Outreach mayors’ prayer breakfast at Irvine Hyatt Hotel. All the mayors of Orange County were present and Jim Daley, President and Chief Executive Officer Focus on the Family, spoke to 600 guests who attended.
So many courageous stories of early Korean immigrants to America have been lost because many of our parents could not tell their own stories in English to their children. Sang Bukaty’s memoir, Grace Notes, is a rare opportunity to read a first hand account of a young student/ musician’s journey to America and the new life she had built for herself and her three daughters
Grace Notes was a real page-turner. I empathized with the author’s experiences as a small child during war and found them humbling. I’ve always known that both my temperament and world view have been shaped by my own experiences between the ages of four and six when my father was serving in WWII. Like Sang-Eun Lee Bukaty, I was very definitely a “daddy’s girl” and his absence converted my happy-go-lucky and secure demeanor into one rather solemn and definitely fearful. I’m sure my mother had no idea that the news reels shown when the two of us went to an occasional movie had any effect on me, but seeing bombs bursting around fox holes and German soldiers advancing en masse with their bayonette-affixed rifles scared, to be quite literal, the pee out of me. I had horrible nightmares that my own father was one of those men being blown to bits and that those German soldiers were in my own house and about to stab me as I curled in a fetal position under the dirty clothes in the hamper in our utility closet. I think I must have wet the bed nightly until he returned safe and sound after fighting in the Battle of the Bulge and being awarded two purple hearts. Traumatic? Yes, but reading your story made my own seem like a walk in the park.
I knew next to nothing about Korea’s culture and history and was grateful to be enlightened. Even more satisfying, however, was learning more about the person who wrote this amazing story. I marvel at her accomplishments, admire the way she loves her family, but am most impressed and praise God for her testimony. Knowing what the true pearl of great price is, a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, makes us sisters in the most blessed of all families. The literary full circle of the pearl from the beginning of the book to the end was most definitely appreciated.
I also related to a Christian who occasionally regurgitates a not-so-nice four-letter word. We’re in process–not perfect! Might even do you in good stead on those campuses, and I think it’s great to be there. We Christians share our faith and lead others to the pearl in diverse ways based on the gifts of the Spirit with which we’ve been endowed. Sang-Eun Lee Bukaty definitely has a book ministry.
Sang-Eun Lee Bukaty tells a poignant and heartwarming story of a first generation Korean-American’s journey through her life. It beautifully connects with English-speaking Americans of all heritages.
“Thank you for sharing your journey so vividly with all of us. ‘Grace Notes’ should be required reading for all students at all levels.”
On February 6th, 2010, the best selling author of Still Life with Rice, Helie Lee, held a Reading Salon at her In-Home Theater Room. After speaking on her experience with the publishing of her book with the group, Sang read a chapter from Grace Notes.
Indian Ridge Country Club in Palm Desert, CA invited Sang to make an hour-long Power Point presentation to approximately 50 club members on January 21, 2010. After her presentation and book signing, Sang was honored to perform on the cello.
