“The feeling that she had never really lived in this world caught her by surprise. It was a fact. She had never lived. Even as a child, as far back as she could remember, she had done nothing but endure. She had believed in her own inherent goodness, her humanity, and lived accordingly, never causing anyone harm. Her devotion to doing things the right way had been unflagging, all her successes had depended on it, and she would have gone on like that indefinitely. She didn't understand why, but faced with those decaying buildings and straggling grasses, she was nothing but a child who had never lived.”
This month, we’re travelling to South Korea by way of The Vegetarian by Han Kang, translated by Deborah Smith. It’s a novel is about shame, desire, and our faltering attempts to understand the lives of others.
Meeting Information: We’re meeting on the 23rd of March, 2025 at 5pm West African Time. Here’s the link to register so that it automatically adds to your calendar.
Her Booker Prize Interview It’s spoiler-free.
Han Kang on Violence, Beauty, and the (Im)possibility of Innocence
An Interview with The Translator, Deborah Smith
In April, we’ll be reading The Lion’s Den by Iris Mwanza and I’m already looking forward to that.
Feel free to share this with a friend or someone who is looking to join a virtual reading community. Let’s travel the world through books!
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.