Wayfarer: New Fiction by Korean Women

Book Overview

This anthology of work by some of Korea's most famous authors explores love and independence. The title story is by O Chong-hui, and it tells the story of a woman who fought back - and almost lost... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1879679094
• ISBN13: 9781879679092
• Release Date: April 1997
• Publisher: Women In Translation
• Length: 220 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.8" x 0.8" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

Good stuff

I came across this book by chance at my local library in Koreatown. I'm not usually a huge fan of short stories, but these were lovely. Like poetry, perfectly balanced and weighted. I liked the translation, the use of language is so different and fresh. I think I'll look for more from these writers. I'm a feminist and enjoy exploring traditional women's themes - private life, family obligations, emotional satisfaction, etc - as well as analyzing the political sides of these themes - how do these issues affect women, men, freedom, life? These are beautiful stories, well told, with both heart and significance. I returned the book to the library, bought a copy, and promptly loaned it to a friend. LOL. Hopefully she'll give it back so I can give it another read. Highly recommended.

A hidden gem of short stories

I had come across this gem of short stories while taking a break from a classical Chinese literature class during my Master's studies. First, I commend Bruce Fulton for his poetic translations. Having read some of the stories in Korean, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the translations. The book is comprised of Korean "award winners" of the 1980's who happen to be females. The topics range widely but the theme that runs its course throughout all the stories are of frustration and despair brought on by the oppressive and traditional dictates of Korean society. All the antagonists view and form their identity in relation to men and also to their roles as mothers and wives. If their characters seem feeble, it is only because the authors are bold in exposing the societal ills that lie beneath the much censored nation.