[1][2] Set on the Korean island of Jeju, the novel tells the story of a friendship between Mi-ja, the daughter of a Japanese collaborator, and Young-Sook, the heir apparent in a family of haenyeo.

Throughout the decades from Japanese rule to the modern era, the two become close but find their relationship strained as a result of their backgrounds.

[3][4] The story alternates between five historical parts narrated from Young-Sook's point of view and interludes set in 2008, where an older Young Sook meets Mija's descendants.

The women are the primary providers who control the money, but their husbands still inherit land and perform ancestor worship.

Young Sook and Mija are lifelong friends who live on the volcanic island of Jeju, in the village of Hado.

Mi-ja suddenly becomes afraid and withdrawn, while Young-sook is distraught to discover that two of her brothers were conscripted by the Japanese army and her father is an alcoholic.

By the time they return to Jeju, the Japanese are losing WWII, and Korea is partitioned by the Soviet Union and America, leaving the people feeling like they have been colonized again.

Their leaders are fervently anticommunist and rightwing; anyone who disagrees with them is labeled a communist and can be arrested, shot, and killed along with their entire family.

The family attends rallies and protests for free elections and democracy, including the Sam-il Demonstrations and February 1948 General Strike.

Joon-lee and Yo-chan eventually move to America, where she gives birth to a daughter, Clara's mother, before dying of cancer.

At a memorial for the victims of the Buchkon massacre, Clara finally convinces Young-sook to listen to Mi-ja's side of the story in the form of audio tapes.

Young-sook finally chooses to forgive Mi-ja and acknowledge the ways she failed to support her while treasuring their friendship and shared descendants.