The Calligrapher's Daughter by Eugenia Kim tells the story of Najin Han, the daughter of a skilled artist, a calligrapher, in the early part of the 20th century Korea.  In order to escape an arranged marriage near the beginning of the novel, Najin is sent to court to serve as a companion to the Princess. Her time in the royal household ends with the death of Emperor Sunjong, the last emporer of the Joseon dynasty in 1926. She goes on to college, marriage, life as a servant in the house of her in-laws, and later prison and  hardship in Korea under Japanese contol at the dawn of World War II.

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