What is the theme in Year of Impossible Goodbyes by Sook Nyul Choi?

Hope for the Future is a large theme in the book. Although "Year of Impossible Goodbyes" is a very sad, dark book, it still carries a message of hope for the future, showing that even the worst of circumstances can still turn out well. This hope is hinted at in the beginning through several references to springtime. In fact, Sookan's Mother gives each of her sons a name containing the word "spring," in hopes that Korea will have a metaphorical spring, and in the end, all of her sons end up together and free. Springtime is a common symbol of new life and renewal, since the earth seems to come back to life after the winter.