김약국의 딸들

by Pak Kyongni, 박경리

본능의 숲에서 교배한 필연은 비애의 씨앗을 뿌리고 통영의 밤바다 바람 속에서는 다섯 딸들의 숙명적 사랑과 배신, 죽음, 원초적 몸부림이 넘실댄다. 삼베처럼 질긴 한의 씨줄과 설움의 날줄은 비극의 천으로 약국집 다섯 딸들을 옭아매는데….

등장인물로 투영되는 나를 발견하고 김약국의 다섯 딸과 그의 아내 한실댁을 중심으로 통영지역의 삶이 그려지고 있다. 인물의 섬세한 묘사와 사실적 성격창조가 아름답다. 짙한 된장 국물같기도 하고 짜지만 감칠맛나는 젓국같기도 한 문체들이 책 하나가득 넘친다. 그녀의 글은 어려운 것 같으면서도 구렁이 담 넘듯이 쉽게 넘어간다. 책장이 어떻게 넘어가는지 모를 정도. 단락마다 제목을 따로 달고 그 이야기들이 엮이면서 김약국의 집안 이야기는 재미와 안타까움을 반복한다.

Genres: Fiction

387 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Pak Kyongni (December 2, 1926 – May 5, 2008) was a prominent South Korean novelist. She was born in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, and later lived in Wonju Gangwon Province. Pak made her literary debut in 1955, with Gyesan (계산, Calculations). She is, however, most well known for her 16-volume story Toji (토지, The Land), an epic saga set on the turbulent history of Korea during 19th and 20th century. It was later adapted into a movie, a television series and an opera.

Pak Kyongni died from lung cancer at the age of 81 on May 5, 2008 and many literary men recollected her as a guide for their literary works and life as a writer. She was posthumously awarded the country's top medal by the newly created Culture Ministry of South Korea for her promoting South Korean arts.

Reviews

[Sayeon ANSHIKA · Rating 4 out of 5]

-4/5

- PUBLISHED IN 1962, DEALS WITH THE THEM OF DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY AND THE CONSEQUENCES IT HAS ON A CHILD AS WELL AS THE PEOPLE RELATED TO THEM (GENERATIONAL TRAUMA), WE CAN ALSO SEE THE STIGMA AND SOCIAL REPERCUSSIONS ONE'S FAMILY FACES IN ASIAN COUNTRIES (KR HERE)

[Edith · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the sudden death of his uncle, eighteen-year-old Kim Songsu takes over his position as much respected village pharmacist and it seems as if he can look forward to a much better life than the evil deeds of his unpredictable father presaged shortly after his birth. Of course, he isn’t spared the usual ups and downs of life. His son dies from smallpox at the age of six, but later five girls are born to him and his wife. Things begin to go downhill when the eldest daughter becomes first a mother and then a widow within a few years. Then the expected engagement of the second daughter, who is a student in Seoul, comes to nought and one night the third daughter, who is a tomboy, is caught making love with a servant’s son…
For more about this historical classic from Korea, I refer you to the long review on my book blog Edith’s Miscellany at https://edith-lagraziana.blogspot.com....