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투명인간
370 pages
First published June 30, 2014
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 21, 2025
Title: Invisible Human
I love dogs. But I'm not a huge fan of golden retrievers.
Years ago, I was discussing about different dog breeds with a friend in a supermarket.
When it came to golden retrievers, I said that I don't prefer them because they are too friendly that they seem to be dumb. That was when an older lady cut into our discussion and pitied me that young people nowadays misunderstand friendliness with stupidity that they can't differentiate between these attributes.
I had almost forgotten about this but remembered again when I read this book and got to know the main character Man-Suk (만석).
It is an extraordinary book about human life, fate and how the historical and social background can affect not only one person but a whole family. The book shows a detailed view into a family where Man-Suk is the centerpiece. He is not brilliant, good-looking or extremely intelligent but still manages to be the reason why his whole family somehow survives and holds together. It is not a feel-good book but manages to keep a constant flow of ups and downs just like the way life unfolds for most of us.
What impressed me most was the author's storytelling. There is no real separated chapters but sections/paragraphs which are each told from different characters, some of them recurring. The author never reveals the character name but the reader gets to know with every additional line who is currently speaking. With each paragraph we get to know more about the characters and life situation, and we are moving further in the timeline from Man-Suk's birth until the moment of probable death.
While doing so, it was never confusing and the incorporated historical background gave more weight and reality to each character. Maybe that's also why I felt all sorts of sorrow and at some point anger as well.
I would say that this book showcases a typical Korean story and I wished that this would be translated well into English and other languages. While I have my doubts about good translations for this particular story, it will give a good view on Korean families how they survived poverty, political and social pressure over generations.
I love dogs. But I'm not a huge fan of golden retrievers.
Years ago, I was discussing about different dog breeds with a friend in a supermarket.
When it came to golden retrievers, I said that I don't prefer them because they are too friendly that they seem to be dumb. That was when an older lady cut into our discussion and pitied me that young people nowadays misunderstand friendliness with stupidity that they can't differentiate between these attributes.
I had almost forgotten about this but remembered again when I read this book and got to know the main character Man-Suk (만석).
It is an extraordinary book about human life, fate and how the historical and social background can affect not only one person but a whole family. The book shows a detailed view into a family where Man-Suk is the centerpiece. He is not brilliant, good-looking or extremely intelligent but still manages to be the reason why his whole family somehow survives and holds together. It is not a feel-good book but manages to keep a constant flow of ups and downs just like the way life unfolds for most of us.
What impressed me most was the author's storytelling. There is no real separated chapters but sections/paragraphs which are each told from different characters, some of them recurring. The author never reveals the character name but the reader gets to know with every additional line who is currently speaking. With each paragraph we get to know more about the characters and life situation, and we are moving further in the timeline from Man-Suk's birth until the moment of probable death.
While doing so, it was never confusing and the incorporated historical background gave more weight and reality to each character. Maybe that's also why I felt all sorts of sorrow and at some point anger as well.
I would say that this book showcases a typical Korean story and I wished that this would be translated well into English and other languages. While I have my doubts about good translations for this particular story, it will give a good view on Korean families how they survived poverty, political and social pressure over generations.
August 4, 2022
마음� 무겁�.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
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