Whale
A masterpiece of modern Korean fiction
By Cheon Myeong-kwan
Translated by Chi-Young Kim
Harry Hartog's review
Upon finishing this book one midnight did I think: what an absolute unit and triumph of Korean magical realism. All the stars! Some time’s passed since then, so you would think cooler heads would now prevail, my feelings settled into some semblance of objectivity, and yet? Hindsight, far from dampening it, has only intensified my enthusiasm for this intergenerational novel about bricklayers, beekeepers, telepathic elephants, the magic of cinema; about laws, love, self-determination. Absurdly good. - James, Harry Hartog Bondi
Description
Shortlisted for the 2023 International Booker Prize.
A sweeping, multi-generational tale blending fable, farce, and fantasy-a masterpiece of modern fiction perfect for fans ofOne Hundred Years of Solitude.
A woman sells her daughter to a passing beekeeper for two jars of honey. A baby weighing fifteen pounds is born in the depths of winter but named "Girl of Spring". A storm brings down the roof of a ramshackle restaurant to reveal a hidden fortune. These are just some of the events that set Myeong-Kwan Cheong's beautifully crafted, wild world in motion.
Set in a remote village in South Korea, Whale follows the lives of its linked characters: Geumbok, who has been chasing an indescribable thrill ever since she first saw a whale crest in the ocean; her mute daughter, Chunhui, who communicates with elephants; and a one-eyed woman who controls honeybees with a whistle.
Brimming with surprises and wicked humour, Whale is an adventure-satire of epic proportions, by one of international literature's the most original voices.
- ISBN:
- 9781787704336
- Format:
- Paperback / softback
- Pages:
- 368
- Published:
- Publisher:
- Europa Editions (UK) Ltd
- Imprint:
- Europa Editions (UK) Ltd