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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
This was a complex, beautiful story that I learned a lot from. I didn’t know a lot about the South Korean dictatorship going in, and this book provides such a powerful insight into the resistance against western and neoliberal forces in the 70s and 80s, and the activists who watched those forces win from behind bars, either literally or figuratively. It paints a heart wrenching picture of the impact of political violence not just on the prisoner, but on every participant in the life that he was wrenched from. It weaves the stories of Mr Oh and Miss Han beautifully, showing how they lived their lives apart during his imprisonment, with the heartbreaking conclusion that they never got to meet again. However, made better by the satisfying ending of him picking up the pieces she left through a relationship with their daughter.
Definitely not the lightest read, but I thought it was really beautiful and profound and stunningly and poetically told. I’m so grateful to have found this book!
Definitely not the lightest read, but I thought it was really beautiful and profound and stunningly and poetically told. I’m so grateful to have found this book!
emotional
reflective
sad
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
frankly stunning body of work, and also beautifully translated (french version). So much grief, sorrow and pain going through the pages. It will definitely be one of my favourite books for this year tbh.
it is definitely a challenging read, even more if you're not familiar with the history of korea I believe but even then... also felt weirdly timely.
Been haunted by many quotes but this one is sticking with me right now
it is definitely a challenging read, even more if you're not familiar with the history of korea I believe but even then... also felt weirdly timely.
Been haunted by many quotes but this one is sticking with me right now
Une fleur fanée continue à être bellen mais pourquoi le corps humain se décompose-t-il de façon si cruelle?
emotional
reflective
sad
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book is so beautiful, thoughtful and handles its characters with so much love. It moved me, and it offered me new perspectives and room to develop my own thoughts and feelings, I really enjoyed reading it from the beginning to the last page.
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Honestly, this book deserved more attention from me. Overall I think if I could have dedicated a bit more time to it and not have just sporadically read some of it here and there it might have been an even better reading experience and might have even received a higher rating. Alas, that is simply an ideal and was not the case here.
Some of the most memorable parts of this tragic story were the detailed descriptions of prison life in Korea. Another noteworthy element of this novel is that the last few chapters are somewhat set in Germany around the time of German unification. It mirrors the Korean dream (of that time) of unification as well.
All in all Hwang is most definitely a master of weaving narratives together. However, I did feel that some parts dragged a bit. I’m glad I read this and will read his Booker Prize shortlisted novel soon as well. This novel is just missing something to push it higher than 3 stars in my opinion.
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Thought-provoking, profoundly moving, and at times heartbreaking, the Old Garden is a masterful book set against the backdrop of the 70's/80's student movement in Korea. It is one of my favorite books.
『오래된 정원』, deux mots, 오래된 (vieux ou âgé) et 정원 (jardin). Le jardin au-dedans signifie à la fois les relations et les rébellions.