After winning the 1998 American Book Award for her first novel, Comfort Woman, Nora Okja Keller returns with a moving story about disillusioned dreams, piercing betrayal and the struggle for identity. Fox Girl explores the underside of Korea just after the Korean War and the lost children alienated from mainstream society because they are American half-breeds and neglected or abandoned by their parents.

At the center of this struggle is Hyun Jin who is disowned by her parents and forced to survive on her own and her best friend, Sookie who is also abandoned by her mother. Together with Lobetto, the son of a Black GI and a Korean prostitute, the three do what they can to make it, even if that means entering the dark world of prostitution and greed. Even if it means stabbing each other in the back along the way.

The novel depicts the desperate lives of these children of Korea whose limited options and dependency are a direct result of America`s military occupation. The three are drawn to an "America Town" in the center of the city in hopes of better opportunities and financial security.

Hyun Jin, Sookie, and Lobetto soon find themselves in a fast-paced cycle where they hate the lives they live, yet are unable to do much to improve themselves. The plot gradually becomes more complex and conflicts arise with each turn of the page. The friendship between Hyun Jin and Sookie is complicated and marked by love, yet when the struggle for survival is so desperate the saying, people care for themselves, before they care about others, especially applies. As a result, there is an underlying current of jealousy and cruelty, and loyalty comes second place in friendship.

Nora Okja Keller writes boldly about sex, gender roles, and motherhood in her latest work. Her prose is filled with sharp dialogue made possible by the convincing characters that speak the words to life and her description is not overly detailed and verbose. She never lets readers forget the fact that Hyun Jin is physically unattractive –everyone remarks on her ugliness. Best of all, Nora Okja Keller is not afraid to fill her main character with flaws and imperfections. As a result, Hyun Jin`s personality is round and complex, and she does not become a stereotypical heroine. Readers become equally confused about how they feel about Hyun Jin`s decisions and actions, which lead to questions about her morality and makes for a very interesting interaction between reader and text.

Fox Girl starts and ends strongly, subtly drawing parallels to the Korean legend of the fox girl with the themes in the novel. There are a few slower parts in the middle, where the plot branches off but it always finds itself back in focus. Fox Girl is not just about sex and prostitution but the sexual references are disturbing and many.

Fox Girl is a unique story that is not often touched upon when examining the outcomes of a postwar country. In addition, Nora Okja Keller makes larger statements about humanity itself, by showing her character`s desire to find their place and identity in society. Fox Girl is definitely worth the read. Be sure to pick up Comfort Woman as well.

For more on Nora Okja Keller read an interview in the OtherViews section of coloredgirls.com.