15 Dec / Please Look After Mom by Kyung-sook Shin, translated by Chi-Young Kim [in Library Journal]
*STARRED REVIEW
The Korean title of this indelible novel, Omma rul put’ak hae, contains a sense of commanding trust that is missing in its English translation: “I entrust Mommy [to you].” That trust is irreparably splintered when ‘Mom’ disappears after becoming separated from her rushing husband on a busy Seoul Station platform. In four distinct voices, the character of Mom – a rural farmwoman whose “hands could nurture any life”– is reassembled by her eldest daughter, whose books Mom couldn’t read; her eldest son, for whom she could never do enough; her husband, who never slowed down; and finally Mom herself as she wanders through memories both strange and familiar.
Shin’s breathtaking novel is an acute reminder of how easily a family can fracture, how little we truly know one another, and how desperate need can sometimes overshadow even the deepest love.
Verdict: Already a prominent writer in Korea, Shin finally makes her English-language debut with what will appeal to all readers who appreciate compelling, page-turning prose. Stay tuned: Mom should be one of this year’s most-deserving bestsellers.
Review: “Fiction,” Library Journal, December 15, 2010
Tidbits: Wow, imagine my shock when handfuls of reader friends sent me this NPR review by Maureen Corrigan that aired April 5, 2011 [“kimchee-scented Kleenex fiction” – egads!]. Don’t miss the many comments. My Library Journal editor Barbara Hoffert indirectly came to Shin’s defense, not once but twice (and quoted me both times, aw shucks!) on April 21, 2011 and again on May 10, 2011. And, Mom did indeed (deservedly) hit all the bestseller lists, ahem!
And the very best tidbit of all: On March 15, 2012, Kyung-sook Shin became the first woman to win the 2011 Man Asian Literary Prize, Asia’s most prestigious award for writers. Sweet vindication indeed.
Readers: Adult
Published: 2011 (United States)
Excellent, thanks for reminding me, can’t wait for this one! Sounds very interesting!
Maybe you can read it in Korean and see how it compares! You’ve been studying all the Asian languages MOST assiduously, right?
hey guys, cool site. You should check out our interview with Shin Kyung-sook at subjectobjectverb.com We focus on Korean literature (modern, mostly) as well as other translation-related stuff. We also have an interview with Chi-Young Kim, who translated Please Look After Mom. 🙂
I’m so thrilled you found BookDragon! I linked your site here …
How wonderful that you got to hang out with the lauded author! My Library Journal editor is posting her interview with Ms. Shin this week, I think. Her interview with Shin’s US editor is here: http://blog.libraryjournal.com/prepubalert/2011/04/21/publishers-perspective-an-interview-with-knopf-vp-robin-desser-on-kyung-sook-shins-please-look-after-mom/ . Best line: “We were right.” Never mind the “kimchee-scented Kleenex,” ahem!
Have you heard of This Burns My Heart by Samuel Park? It’s KA, not Korean, set in post-war Korea. It’s coming in July from Simon & Schuster. Haven’t read it yet, but about to soonest …
Do let me know what Korean titles (in translation, alas!) I shouldn’t miss.
Thanks again for visiting BookDragon. Come back soon!