Encounter: A Novel of Nineteenth-Century Korea

Voices from Asia

by Moo-Sook Hahn, Ok Young Kim Chang (Translator)

This historical novel, Encounter ( Mannam ), by Hahn Moo-Sook, one of Asia's most honored writers, is a story of the resilience in the Korean spirit. It is told through the experiences of Tasan, a high-ranking official and foremost Neo-Confucian scholar at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Because of Tasan's fascination with Western learning, then synonymous with Catholicism, he is exiled to a remote province for 18 years. In banishment he meets people from various social and religious backgrounds―Buddhist monks, peasants, shamans―whom he would not otherwise have met. The events of Tasan's life are effectively used to depict the confluence of Buddhist, Neo-Confucian, Taoist, and shamanistic beliefs in traditional Korea.

A subplot involves three young sisters, the daughters of a prominent Catholic aristocrat, and affords the reader vivid glimpses into Yi-dynasty women's lives, particularly those of palace ladies, scholars' wives, tavern keepers, shamans, and slaves. In contrast to the long-held Confucian stereotype of female subservience, this story illustrates the richness of women's contribution to Korean culture and tradition.

Encounter' s detailed narrative provides a broad and informed view of nineteenth-century Korea, making it a highly useful book for courses on Korean literature and society. It will also be an engaging read for lovers of historical fiction.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Asia, Psychology

352 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 1985

About the author

see also Hahn Moo-Sook

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ugh stunning and perfect. a religious experience

[Edward Amato · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book that reveals the lives of Korean Catholic Saints. Based on historical fact and also contains a lot of religious, faith-based promotion.

[Xpackal · Rating 4 out of 5]

zajímavá kniha která bohužel někdy sklouzává k historické studii o christianizaci koreje