A review by guitarpotato
Princess Bari by Hwang Sok-yong

3.0

This novel touches on so many contemporary issues in its retelling of the Korean folktale of Princess Bari. From problems caused due to illegal immigration following an escape from North Korea during the famine of the 1990s all the way to the rise of anti-Muslim sentiment post-9/11. Hwang masterfully weaved in these (still) current world issues with a shamanic folktale which has been handed down for centuries. 

 At its core, this novel is simply about life. The search for the reason as to why humans must suffer loss, trauma or betrayal in their lives. And why it is that despite experiencing so much tragedy, humans resiliently live on. 

 That being said, I do think the final chapter ended a little bit too abruptly. Perhaps that is just life though. The ending simply lacked a catharsis. Also, despite being well written I think that this work lacks an emotional impact. The story progresses at a steady pace and a lot happens in the plot, however, an emotional connection to the things occurring. Hwang’s style in this novel is quite detached and the story is told very matter-of-factually.