세상에 나쁜 사람은 없다

by 원재훈

시인 원재훈은 등단 20년이 넘어 소설가로 재등단하며 문단의 주목을 끄는 장편소설을 잇달아 발표해왔다. 그의 소설은 잘 벼려진 문장과 서사적 구조에 시인다운 시적 함축성이 돋보인다. 그런 그가 이번에 들고 온 작품은 손바닥소설이다. 장르를 자유자재로 넘나드는 작가만의 새로운 문학세계가 흥미롭다. 현대를 사는 우리는 고독하다. 낙오자가 되지 않기 위해 사투하다 보니 온통 상처투성이다. 외로워 누군가를 가까이하다 보면 거기에 ‘고양이 상처’(213-220쪽)마저 덧붙여진다. 정신적 공허에서 헤어날 수 없고 소설 한 권 읽을 시간조차 내기 어렵다. 원재훈의 손바닥소설은 이들 상처받은 사람들을 감싸 안는다. 그의 전작 장편 『망치』가 아버지를 위한 레퀴엠이고, 『연애 감정』이 1980년대 청춘들에게 바치는 오마주였다면, 『세상에 나쁜 사람은 없다』는 이 시대를 살아가는 우리 모두를 위무하는 작품이다.

작가는 가끔 손바닥에 글자들을 쓰곤 한다고 술회한다. 위안, 사랑, 용기 같은 글자들이다. 어려서부터 습관이 된 이 버릇에서 그의 작품은 태동하였다. 이제 그는 자신의 손바닥에서 벗어나 사람들의 손바닥에 무엇인가를 쓰려고 한다. 폭력적인 손바닥엔 친절과 겸손을, 핵폭탄의 손바닥엔 사랑과 평화를…. 절망을 안고 사는 사람들에게 ‘다리와 길’이 되고 싶은 게 이 소설집의 집필동기다. 책 속의 작품들은 이내 길이의 한계를 떨쳐버리고 인생에 대한 깊은 통찰과 긴 여운을 선물한다. 표제작 〈세상에 나쁜 사람은 없다〉는 사람과 반려동물의 위치를 바꾸어 세상을 들여다보는 풍자성이 돋보이는 작품이다. 2부에 실린 작품은 작가가 마법사가 되어 사람들의 소원을 들어주는 이야기들이다. ‘삶의 손바닥’에 쓰인 이야기들이 따뜻하고 큰 울림으로 다가오는 이유다.

작가는 ‘소설이란 때가 되면 비로소 조금 쓸 수 있는 작고 소박한 이야기’라고 재정의한다. 손바닥소설(掌篇小說)을 장르적으로 궤도에 올린 작가는 노벨문학상 수상작가인 일본의 가와바타 야스나리였다. 상실과 절망의 시대를 사는 이 땅의 독자들에게는 문학에서도 상처를 어루만져주는 따뜻한 손길이 필요하다. 이 책이 시대의 요구에 부응하면서 우리 손바닥소설 문학의 새 영역을 열어갈 것을 믿어 의심치 않는다.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Philosophy

223 pages, Paperback

Published December 20, 2018

Reviews

[Karla · Rating 3 out of 5]

The reason I picked this up is because I saw Hobi had a copy and I wondered why he would pick this one out of all the books in the world. This was a tough one for me. I'm not really fond of "self help" books, and to be honest, the first chapter confused me so much. With different POVs, I felt that it was really meant to be read in increments. The second chapter is great, though. The third one, not so much again. So it was up and down for me. It could have some problems with translations, so I couldn't exactly blame the author for that. I probably would not read this again.

Edit: I do absolutely love Hobi's song based on this book though (Title:Stop) maybe I should read it again?

[Divina Gracia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars.

I'm not sure if it's the translation or not but this is a pretty easy read. Some stories left me wondering about life, while others made me scratch my head. Nonetheless, this isn't a bad start for my journey into reading Korean literature.

One of my favorite quotes from the book: "Each of us humans eventually experience being like autumn leaves. We see the natural falling leaves as beautiful, but why do we see aging as ugly? When it's autumn, the whole world is under a magic spell. Nature shows humans the scenery of a heaven that can never get more beautiful. Isn't getting old the same? - The Magician

[Miki Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Done with this book! I got interested to read this as this was a book recommendation by J-Hope of BTS. ✨️

To be honest, I wasn't able to deeply understand the book. Not sure if this is because of the translation, or cultural differences, or different writing style of which I am not familiar with. From what I understand, it is a collection of short stories but there are some parts that feel like I'm reading a novel. Nevertheless I love the key theme in this book - that everyone experiences different struggles that we may know nothing about. There are actually no bad people in the world, it's just that we can't understand them and can't communicate with them. We just need to be a little kinder and have more empathy. ❤️

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never read a book that felt so close to what I would write if I were to publish a book...

This is the second time I've read a book and I've desperately wanted to be fluent in the language that it was originally published... So far, I had only felt this with Exupéry and French...

This is also the second time that I've wished I was fluent in Korean, the first one, being Namjoon's words... oh Namjoon... I understand why a Korean would love this book so much, but that's because I am familiar with Korean song writing... There were multiple parts that felt like the english translation was not doing them justice, however I understood the vibe, and that's what mattered to me.. It was like knowing there is a better meaning to this, a greater thought that is explained, but missed by plain english words..

I would love to read it again.. A better translation would do it justice, but this plain translation is a good reminder that there are multiple languages in the world that have lead to different types if writing and different artistry... I am very happy to have read this book, and finally be able to understand Hobi's inspiration for the amazing "stop"

[kutingtin · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book of the year! 🥳 Let’s go 2022! 🎉
Mostly thanking this book for getting me out of my slump! Kaja! Fytiing! 👊🏻🤓📚❣️

[Zzonroxx · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book consists of 41 different stories with different life lessons. Out of all this, only 4 touched my heart. The other stories just passed right through my mind and left immediately. The stories are quite short and random and it has only a total of 200+ pages. Each story has its own meaning and context that reflects on the daily life of a human.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have had this one on my night stand for over a year, but it never called out to me enough to keep reading beyond the first chapter. I simply didn’t have the patience.

Turns out I just wasn’t ready for it yet — today I took it with me on a six hour train journey and inhaled it within two. The story telling was so different from the narratives I’m used to, so it did challenge me, but it made me feel, it made me think, and it even made me existential without the despair. Brought me closer to whatever it is we are trying to get close to as human beings.

I now hold the title in my palm, too (and already did, wanting to desperately believe it).

[Yes · Rating 4 out of 5]

First review for this book, I guess? Feel free to tell your thoughts!

I don't hate it. I didn't cringe reading this book. But I do not love LOVE it, as well. I think it lacks the complexity to further enhance the short stories, but the author disclaimed in the epilogue that he intends to write the stories in that manner. He used the term "palm novels."

Although not explicitly stated, it seemed that the book is like an imitation of Haruki Murakami's short stories because of the first chapter entitled "Wind-Up Mouse" and I can say that he is off to a good start.

[Angeli · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book presents a relatively diverse collection of short stories. While the stories are generally easy to read, they are also thought-provoking. Some stories can be read as complements, though most are enjoyable as small doses of insight. It's also quite refreshing as the writer ponders on the mundane just enough to create a sense of appreciation for how life can be subtly profound with deliberate reflection. Generally an interesting read!

[Marjorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t actually realized that this is a self-help book until I read the reviews. (I read reviews after finishing a book, so other people’s pov won’t impact how my impression of the book would’ve been).

The first chapter also confuses me. But the last story is the one that left a mark, “cat scratches”. It might be me but I was not able to read it continuously because I didn’t quite get some of it and I was looking for patterns or connections between chapters/stories.

[smplrdr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t expect that much from this book but it gives me a hearftelt emotions while reading it. This is a good book if your wondering about life, Truly written from the palm of life.

[Marinelle Medina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beutiful

[Auxilio Jimin]

just leme read

[Alyka Alvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

heart warming

[Earl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continuing my analysis on the "everyday philosophy" that these casual books espouse, and I believe this is the most insightful.

[Oliver Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light read
Short parables with take aways. Great for casual and those who want a breather.

[Jodi Camacho · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't relate to the stories. I find the translation bit confusing.

[Mourning_elf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really my cup of tea.

[monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

easy and light read. i feel like a lot were lost in translation but i enjoyed its sincerity and wholesomeness.

[Sam Pardo · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Daisy Banghel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its good but at some last chap I get bored, i guess im not really fond of self help books but I bought it because of BTS

[Steffany Zenke · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was nice but the first 1/3 of the book was a bit confusing for me.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

I simply started reading this book because I saw the book at the local bookstore and I liked the book cover design.
And what a pleasant surprise!
I thoroughly enjoyed this short story collection.
It was interesting to know about Korea’s culture and how somethings are universal where ever you’re from.

However, since I’m not an avid reader of the short story collections, I don’t think I’ll reread it in the near future.

[Anggun Nurfadillah · Rating 3 out of 5]

• isinya kumpulan cerita, satu sama lainnya masih agak nyambung.
• warm.
• pov mcnya di setiap cerita berusaha tuk liat "apa yg ada" dibalik kejadian yg dia temuin and see it as it is.
• no judgement.
• berusaha figure something to learn out of it.
• tau ga sih kdg ada kayak victimisasi diri sendiri pas ngalamin hal yg gaenak, tp di sini dia ngasih narasi yg yaaa emang dunia kyk gini, we are all struggling and trying to live on aja even sometimes unintentionally hurting others ((tapi ya ada jg sebenernya yg intentionally. lagi" berusaha di-yaudah as the act of their own survival))

krn modelnya banyak cerpen, makanya kelarinnya agak lama (ytta)🙏 target selesai di bday hobibi dan achieved🥰

[Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple read but each story provides insights or humor about life and the Korean culture. Here’s one of my favorite parts of the book:

“People at the edge of a cliff.. never encounter a warm helping hand. They need to control their minds first. What’s coming among the people who tell me their wish is that they are weak-hearted. Although we yearn for hope in our most desperate situations, being hopeful may also lead to frustration or temporary self deception. Yes it’s between desperation and hope that courage is found. This year, I resolved to live courageously while still being hopeful, because courage is born out of hope.”

[Jae · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was easy to read.. I thought it was some kind of short novel but there are different kind of odd stories.. though I liked it some are relatable but some is you'll some learnings at least..

[Nom Nom · Rating 3 out of 5]

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