Дочери аптекаря Кима

by Pak Kyongni

Роман во многом биографичен. Он отразил печальную историю жизни писательницы. Как и большинство ее произведений он наполнен глубокой грустью о трагической судьбе корейского народа. В романе подчеркивается мысль о необходимости сохранить человеческое достоинство несмотря ни на какие обстоятельства, делается акцент на хрупкость человеческой жизни, важность доверия и любви в жизни каждого человека.

Genres: Fiction

240 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....