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j_hx's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
zhy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
meganjjang's review against another edition
4.0
This was really interesting if not slightly too short. I liked how it showed a relationship where neither of the pair wanted to overstep their friendship but also both clearly wanted more from each other, surrounded by a bunch of outside factors making each of their lives a little more complicated. There were a couple bits where the detail was lacking but I always enjoy Han Kang books and would love to read more of these little books!♡
braincabbage's review against another edition
4.0
I love a short story that can give me a good idea of someone's life in very little space
agmunth's review against another edition
4.0
I've read this twice now, both times when I was pretty tired, and I'm glad because I gleaned so much more from this on rereading.
It's similar to The Vegetarian in the way it explores the pain of people constrained by society's views and conventions on gender, but where that novel was highly dramatic and told from a distance, Europa is much more intimate and subtle. I liked the intimacy the writing gives to the two characters while still keeping their exact pain private to them. It simultaneously shows the possibility of liberation, and the difficulties that can entail.
^This is all a bit clumsily worded, but I found Europa thought-provoking and emotionally engaging in a nice short package. Two thumbs up!
Overall, I think I prefer Han Kang when she's got a bit more space to work with, but this was a really satisfying short read. I should really get on the rest of her stuff.
It's similar to The Vegetarian in the way it explores the pain of people constrained by society's views and conventions on gender, but where that novel was highly dramatic and told from a distance, Europa is much more intimate and subtle. I liked the intimacy the writing gives to the two characters while still keeping their exact pain private to them. It simultaneously shows the possibility of liberation, and the difficulties that can entail.
^This is all a bit clumsily worded, but I found Europa thought-provoking and emotionally engaging in a nice short package. Two thumbs up!
Overall, I think I prefer Han Kang when she's got a bit more space to work with, but this was a really satisfying short read. I should really get on the rest of her stuff.
theblixt's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
arirang's review against another edition
3.0
Frozen Europa
You are Jupiter’s moon
Even if I live until the end of my life
Cold that can never be touched
에우로파 by 한강 (Han Kang) has been translated as Europa by Deborah Smith - the same author/translator combination that won the 2016 Man Booker International.
Part of the Yeoyu (여유) series from Strangers Press, eight chapbooks, each featuring a translated short story of around 30 pages, showcasing the best writing from the current generation of Korean authors. For my review of the overall series see: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2862365043
Europa is a song performed by In-ha, a part time musician and close friend of narrator. He first met her after finishing military service, introduced by a mutual friend, and they became very close friends for two years, but drifted apart for several years after In-ha got married. They later renew their strong friendship after four years when In-ha breaks down in front of him; he later realises that her marriage is breaking down likely due mistreatment in her marriage. She says:
“There’s one thing I can’t understand. So far, you’ve never harmed me. Not once in the past six years.”
But he responds:
“You’ve always been special to me. You’re still as special to me as you were six years ago. But it’s not that I love you, I want to be like you ... I want a voice like yours, a body like yours. Some nights, it feels like the longing will send me mad. ... living day after day in fear is like living a long prison sentence.”
And together they help each other come to terms with their lives.
Judged by the standards of Han Kang’s magnificent novels (The White Book, Vegetarian and Human Acts) the shorter form doesn’t really do her justice, but that is setting a high bar and this is a fine work in its own right. 3.5 stars but I would recommend the novels first.
You are Jupiter’s moon
Even if I live until the end of my life
Cold that can never be touched
에우로파 by 한강 (Han Kang) has been translated as Europa by Deborah Smith - the same author/translator combination that won the 2016 Man Booker International.
Part of the Yeoyu (여유) series from Strangers Press, eight chapbooks, each featuring a translated short story of around 30 pages, showcasing the best writing from the current generation of Korean authors. For my review of the overall series see: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2862365043
Europa is a song performed by In-ha, a part time musician and close friend of narrator. He first met her after finishing military service, introduced by a mutual friend, and they became very close friends for two years, but drifted apart for several years after In-ha got married. They later renew their strong friendship after four years when In-ha breaks down in front of him; he later realises that her marriage is breaking down likely due mistreatment in her marriage. She says:
“There’s one thing I can’t understand. So far, you’ve never harmed me. Not once in the past six years.”
But he responds:
“You’ve always been special to me. You’re still as special to me as you were six years ago. But it’s not that I love you, I want to be like you ... I want a voice like yours, a body like yours. Some nights, it feels like the longing will send me mad. ... living day after day in fear is like living a long prison sentence.”
And together they help each other come to terms with their lives.
Judged by the standards of Han Kang’s magnificent novels (The White Book, Vegetarian and Human Acts) the shorter form doesn’t really do her justice, but that is setting a high bar and this is a fine work in its own right. 3.5 stars but I would recommend the novels first.
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