Clay Walls - #4 Novels about LA you might like to read

A multi-generational tale of a Korean family's immigration experiences in Los Angeles.
From 500 Great Books by Women:
"At one point in Clay Walls, Faye, a second generation Korean-American, comments that reading is "just a way for me to see how other people live. I haven't found a book yet written about the people I know." Clay Walls begins to fill that gap, giving a clear-eyed view of two generations of Korean-Americans in pre- and post-World War II Los Angeles. The novel starts with recently-immigrated Haesu, who is being "taught" how to clean a toilet by Mrs. Randolph; Haesu "did not know the English equivalent for 'low woman' but she did know how to say, 'I quit' and later said it to Mrs. Randolph." Born a yangban, or an aristocrat, Haesu is determined never to work for anyone else. Her husband, Chun, starts a successful produce business and eventually buys them a house, but Haesu always dreams of going home. Her hatred of anything Japanese is unwavering, especially after she visits Korea and sees that a permanent return is impossible as long as the Japanese are present. Her children grow up in the midst of their mother's fierce pride; when Chun loses their savings and eventually leaves them, Haesu refuses charity and spends endless hours doing piecework embroidery at their table because a yangban would never work outside the home. As one generation gives over to the next, the focus of Clay Walls shifts to Haesu's daughter, Faye, who must find her place between her mother's world and the United States outside her front door."

Another very specific perspective on Los Angeles. It's the only novel written by Kim Ronyoung who died shortly after the book was published.