"The Bride and Groom, in the presence of their parents, relatives, comrades, friends, the older generation, and the younger generation, the party and the country, have wedded on this day to form a family. Never forget the family is a basic unit of our society, and your harmonious relationship reflects that"

It is really rare for a North Korean novel to be translated to English; most translated literature from North Korea is written from the perspective of someone whom left the State. This story was published in North Korea by the State, and focuses on relatable themes such as love, family, individual desires and aspirations vs the collective good.

This narrative drew on the story of Chae Sun Hee's petition for divorce in the courts. The presiding judge Jeong Jin Wu listened to her story: how they met, married, how she navigated marital life with Lee Seok Chun, and the impact of their disappointments on their Son, Ho Nam. This also makes Jin Wu reflect on his own life, work and societal purpose. Jin Wu tries to understand the shifting societal attitudes through the eyes of others, and askes the questions surrounding state ideology, changing times with societal understanding of gender, post Korean War.

I enjoyed the use of whimsical metaphors and landscapes to heighten the dramatic private moods, compared with the solemn public facing person. It reminds me that we all have a public persona. It also highlighted how relationships can erode through missed opportunities, misplaced confidence, miscommunication and resentment for unmet aspirations.