Looking forward to the Seagull! I think Han Kang’s award is an interesting choice - the literature of South Korea is beginning to appear on prize lists and be translated at last (Whale took forever to be translated) and she was one of the first to make an impact, so her influence on the literature of her country is far greater than any mere anglophone writer could probably dream of. I think the Vegetarian has a lot to do with the rigid and conservative social norms present in Korean society at the time. One thing I have found from reading Han’s books is that they are all quite different, and for me, Human Acts is clearly the best.
Another vote for Human Acts as the best Kang book in English. Thanks! I must admit I probably missed a lot in the Vegetarian, and it seemed like it might pay off, but it just went nowhere and left me feeling depressed. Modern literature!
As that description of The Vegetarian went on I thought, okay James, you’re pranking us, right? Looking forward to Chekhovember. I’ve got a Paul Schmidt translation of the plays; folks who measure such things say he does a good job.
Your vegetarian assessment makes me glad I'm an omnivore. I think I'll be having steak, fajitas, and chicken friend steak this weekend. Without veggies.
Glad to know that Proust can get interesting and things can happen. I disagree with you about The Vegetarian. I have also read Human Acts by Kang which I thought was great and the better of the two books.
A few others have said that Human Acts is the one to read. Maybe I'll give that a try. If you read the rest of In Search of Lost Time, I'll read Human Acts... deal? lol
James, I’m shocked! You see something like that up for sale, you should just pick it up for me. Upon receipt, I’m sure I would put the check in the mail! Based upon your recommendation I’m thinking I will skip _The Vegetarian._
This year it seems to be a food choice between McDonalds and word salads.
hah!
Looking forward to the Seagull! I think Han Kang’s award is an interesting choice - the literature of South Korea is beginning to appear on prize lists and be translated at last (Whale took forever to be translated) and she was one of the first to make an impact, so her influence on the literature of her country is far greater than any mere anglophone writer could probably dream of. I think the Vegetarian has a lot to do with the rigid and conservative social norms present in Korean society at the time. One thing I have found from reading Han’s books is that they are all quite different, and for me, Human Acts is clearly the best.
Another vote for Human Acts as the best Kang book in English. Thanks! I must admit I probably missed a lot in the Vegetarian, and it seemed like it might pay off, but it just went nowhere and left me feeling depressed. Modern literature!
As that description of The Vegetarian went on I thought, okay James, you’re pranking us, right? Looking forward to Chekhovember. I’ve got a Paul Schmidt translation of the plays; folks who measure such things say he does a good job.
That would be a good schtick--elaborate fake synopses of international prize winning literature. Wouldn't even be too hard.
Not so sure I will read The Vegetarian. Looking forward to Chekhov though.
We'll be glad to have you along
@@JamesRuchala I’m ready! My books have arrived! 😊
Your vegetarian assessment makes me glad I'm an omnivore. I think I'll be having steak, fajitas, and chicken friend steak this weekend. Without veggies.
Classic Texan diet, right?
@@JamesRuchala Facts!
a classy guy. It must be fun to use your bathroom after you're done with number two. The rare times that occurs, that is.
Glad to know that Proust can get interesting and things can happen. I disagree with you about The Vegetarian. I have also read Human Acts by Kang which I thought was great and the better of the two books.
A few others have said that Human Acts is the one to read. Maybe I'll give that a try. If you read the rest of In Search of Lost Time, I'll read Human Acts... deal? lol
James, I’m shocked! You see something like that up for sale, you should just pick it up for me. Upon receipt, I’m sure I would put the check in the mail! Based upon your recommendation I’m thinking I will skip _The Vegetarian._
Let me check if it's still available, David. And if they take confederate money.
The vegetarian sounds like some self published first draft?
It read a little better than that to me, but still didn't really have an ending. Also, did I mention that it's sooo boring?
@ You may have mentioned that