Scan barcode
sippingaugust's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A beautiful, haunting telling of life in South Korea after the Korean War. It’s a book to take in slowly, imagining yourself immersed in that environment. The way the ending comes together is just lovely.
Some background information about Korean culture can be helpful but not necessary.
Some background information about Korean culture can be helpful but not necessary.
rivertonrat's review
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book contains two narratives with alternating chapters between two characters:
Park Minwoo was born into poverty. Through education, hard work and ambition, he achieved success as an architect, establishing his own architecture firm and playing an important part in the redevelopment of Seoul. Now facing retirement, he reflects upon his past.
Jung Woohee is a struggling scriptwriter who hopes to succeed in Korean theatre. She supports herslf with an overnight job at a convenience store, and can barely make ends meet.
How these two people connect is a mystery for most of the book. Through the lens of two opposing perspectives,the author exposes fault lines within Korean society: highlighting the traditional importance of family and community ties versus the modern focus on career and personal success.
Hwang Sok Yong is a celebrated Korean author. He was imprisoned in the 1990s in South Korea for travelling to North Korea. He was arrested in the 1980s for protesting government policies. His interest and concerns about South Korea's direction fuel this story.
The writing is spare and succinct, yet a bit poetic. I enjoyed it immensely and felt it really provided a good sense of the social upheaval South Korea has undergone within the last half-century. The translation is top-notch.
Park Minwoo was born into poverty. Through education, hard work and ambition, he achieved success as an architect, establishing his own architecture firm and playing an important part in the redevelopment of Seoul. Now facing retirement, he reflects upon his past.
Jung Woohee is a struggling scriptwriter who hopes to succeed in Korean theatre. She supports herslf with an overnight job at a convenience store, and can barely make ends meet.
How these two people connect is a mystery for most of the book. Through the lens of two opposing perspectives,the author exposes fault lines within Korean society: highlighting the traditional importance of family and community ties versus the modern focus on career and personal success.
Hwang Sok Yong is a celebrated Korean author. He was imprisoned in the 1990s in South Korea for travelling to North Korea. He was arrested in the 1980s for protesting government policies. His interest and concerns about South Korea's direction fuel this story.
The writing is spare and succinct, yet a bit poetic. I enjoyed it immensely and felt it really provided a good sense of the social upheaval South Korea has undergone within the last half-century. The translation is top-notch.
lucieloureads's review
5.0
In Korea, an architect who grew up in a slum without wealth or connections, created a successful career for himself through singleminded determination to never go back. In his sixties and surrounded by friends and colleagues dying and being caught in fraud scandales, he is suddenly and unexpectantly confronted with his past when a woman he grew up with asks him to call.
Incredibly interesting reflection on architecture and how it can erase history and the communities of the past, while asp containing a gripping story of individual struggling to survive under the current political and economic structure.
Incredibly interesting reflection on architecture and how it can erase history and the communities of the past, while asp containing a gripping story of individual struggling to survive under the current political and economic structure.
leoriou's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
k101's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
tossied's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
julieffisher's review
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
fitrisiain's review
4.0
Flowy, melancholic...
Of all Korean literature I've read this far, all of them induced this restful feeling of coming back to home after years, talking with mother about things that happened while I was away.
Update: Four days passed since I finished the book, I am thinking about Soona's Park Minwoo at least once a day, how sad.
Of all Korean literature I've read this far, all of them induced this restful feeling of coming back to home after years, talking with mother about things that happened while I was away.
Update: Four days passed since I finished the book, I am thinking about Soona's Park Minwoo at least once a day, how sad.
pyiab's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0