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Modern Korean Literature #5

The Land of the Banished

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The Land of the Banished is a heart-rending tale of a man torn and warped by the hardships of the Korean War period. Born into a landless peasant family, Mahn-seok becomes embroiled in the class struggle that descends upon his village with the onset of the war. From his rise through the ranks of the People's Army to his devastating demise, the story is recounted in Mahn-seok's own voice through a series of flashbacks. The Land of the Banished is a work that gives new perspective to the Korean War experience and its inglorious aftermath.

90 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 1999

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About the author

Jo Jung-rae

53 books17 followers
Jo Jung-Rae has devoted his entire life to literature. His writings attain an excellence that marks him as a world-class author. His popular multi-volume novels Taebaek Mountain Range and Arirang, which have become modern classics since their publication in the 1980s, are considered the epitome of his talent. With the publication of Han River in 2002, Jo completed his trilogy of works on Korean modern history. Sales reached a record-breaking number in Korea-- over 10,000,000 copies.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jo_Jung-rae

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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Profile Image for Barry Welsh.
429 reviews92 followers
July 26, 2025
Watch my review on YouTube here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDPiq...

KBS Korea 24 @KBSKorea24
“On #KoreaBookClub, @BarryPWelsh shares "The Land of the Banished" by #JoJungrae, one of Korea's most famous writers. Tune in to hear about this sad tale that embodies the traumatic history of the #KoreanWar and its aftermath. #KoreanLiterature #한국문학 #조정래 #유형의땅”
19:10-20:00 KST, Mon-Fri on KBS WORLD Radio.
Download the KBS Kong / KBS WORLD Radio Mobile apps
or subscribe to the Korea 24 podcast for your daily updates!
#KBSWORLDRadio #KBS월드라디오 #Korea24 #코리아24 #책스타그램 #북스타그램 #bookstagram (https://lnkd.in/gxkU6aW) #book #reading
#KoreanLiterature #한국문학
Profile Image for Barry Welsh.
429 reviews92 followers
February 9, 2017
한국문학사의 거장, 조정래 작가님과의 만남 / Meet novelist Jo Jung-rae at Seoul Book Club

Meet Jo Jung-rae one of Korea’s most famous writers at Seoul Book Club on Saturday January 7th. Jo Jung-rae is one of Korea’s most important living writers. Born in 1943, he has dedicated his writing life to illuminating modern Korea’s conflicted history. He has sold over 16 million books – a record in Korean publishing. He will be interviewed in Korean and English, answer questions and sign books. This is a rare opportunity to meet one of Korea’s most iconic and beloved writers. English interpretation provided. 5,000 won entrance fee. (www.facebook.com/events/352520878439174/)

Date: Saturday 7th January
날짜: 1월 7일


Time: 4pm.
시간: 오후 4시


Admission fee: 5,000 won.
참가비: 5천원
Place: Haechi Hall in Seoul Global Cultural Center
(5th Floor M Plaza in Myeong-dong) (www.facebook.com/Seoulcenter3789/)


장소: 서울글로벌문화체험센터 해치홀 (명동 M플라자 5층)
오시는 길은 다음 링크를 참조하시기 바랍니다.
seoulculturalcenter.com/


(Call Barry on 010 5138 8859 if you get lost or can't find it and I will come meet you at exit 6 Myeong-dong station.)
(행사 장소를 찾기 어려우시면 010-5138-8859 배리 웰시에게 전화를 주세요. 명동역 6번 출구로 마중나가겠습니다.)
Profile Image for Michaela Raschilla.
264 reviews10 followers
March 29, 2016
I was surprised that this book would be so sympathetic toward somebody who was on the Communist side of the Korean war. This was such a sad book. so incredibly sad, but interesting.

As a reader you want to know about the main characters life. The fact that it is a short story just makes it easier to follow along on his journey.

I also have to say that they way this story was written like nesting dolls was incredibly interesting to me. The translation was beautiful and I hope it did justice to the original work.

One of my favorite Korean short fiction stories I've read so far. Incredible powerful and meaningful.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews

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