김약국의 딸들

by Pak Kyongni, 박경리

기구한 운명의 다섯 자매를 중심으로
욕망과 운명의 소용돌이 속에서 몸부림치는 군상들
그리고 비극 속에서 타오르는 희망의 불씨!

근대화의 격변기 속에서 치열하게 살아간 우리민족의 모습을 담아내어 한국 대하소설의 한 획을 그은 『토지』의 작가 박경리. 박경리의 또 하나의 대표작 『김약국의 딸들』은 작가의 경력에서 『토지』 이상으로 중요한 의미를 지닌 작품이라고 할 수 있다. 작가의 첫 성공작으로 독자들의 뇌리에 박경리의 이름을 강렬하게 인식시킨 작품임은 물론, 박경리가 줄곧 추구했던 생명주의 사상의 근간이 된 작품이기 때문이다.

발표 당시, 『김약국의 딸들』은 격변하는 시대 속에서 흔들리는 인간 군상의 모습과 근대사회의 문제점들을 여과 없이 보여주며 큰 파장을 일으켰다. 전시대의 유물처럼 쓸쓸히 흘러가는 김약국과 가족을 위한 희생을 운명으로 받아들이는 그의 부인 한실댁, 그리고 김약국의 딸들을 중심으로 펼쳐지는 이야기는 우리 민족사의 축소판인 것이다. 비극으로 치닫는 그들의 삶에서 작가는 생명에 대한 흔들림 없는 믿음을 보여주고 있다. 이는 후에 『토지』로 이어지는 생명주의 사상의 원형이라 할 수 있는 것이다.

[예스24 제공]

Genres: Fiction

432 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....