Kiraz Tepesindeki Mucize

by Sun-mi Hwang, Sanem Üner (Translator)

Kang’ın bütün hayatı adeta bir mucizedir. Yoksulluktan başarılı bir inşaat firmasının sahibi olmaya kadar yükselmiş bir adamdır. Ancak tam dinlenmeye başlayacağı yıllarda beyninde bir tümör teşhis edilir ve kalan günlerini sakin geçirmek için çocukluğunun geçtiği Kiraz Tepesi’ne dönmeye karar verir. Tüm dünyadan kaçmayı planlayarak kendini geniş bir arazi üzerindeki eski bir eve kapatır ancak mahalle sakinlerinin aklında başka planlar vardır. Mahalleli, Kang’ın özel arazisine serbestçe girip çıkar. Peki ama, evin ve Kiraz Tepesi’nin gerçek sahibi kimdir? Mahalleyi kentsel dönüşümle yenilemek isteyen inşaat firması mı? Yoksa Kiraz Tepesi'ni nesillerdir oyun oynamak, düşünmek, yürümek, doğayı sevmek ve keşfetmek için kullanan mahalle sakinleri mi? Ya acı dolu ve umutsuz bir adam olan Kang’ın çocukluğunun bu sihirli yerle nasıl bir bağlantısı var?
Kiraz Tepesindeki Mucize, yaralı bir adamın insanlığa inancını yeniden kazanmasının ve manevi kurtuluşa ulaşmasının öyküsü. Güney Kore’de çok sevilen bu eser, doğanın ve insanların kırılganlığını vurguluyor.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Literary Fiction, Asia, Asian Literature, Japan, Novels

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Hwang Seon-mi is a South Korean author and professor who is best known for her fable The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly, which has also been made into a successful animated film in South Korea, Leafie, A Hen into the Wild.

Reviews

[Pauline · Rating 2 out of 5]

A story of an old man who returns to his childhood home hoping to have some peace and quite but the other residents on the village have other ideas.
A slow burning story that did not hold my attention.
Thank you NetGalley and Little Brown Book UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Irini 이리니 Thalassinou · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Δε μου λες", είπε ξαφνικά ο Κανγκ, "Τι γνώμη έχεις για τα παιδιά;"
"Είναι άνθρωποι που δεν έχουν αρρωστήσει ακόμα". Αστειάκι από αυτά των γιατρών. Κανένας δε γέλασε.
"Η δική σου απάντηση ποια είναι;
"Άγγελοι που εκδιώχθηκαν από τον παράδεισο με τις κλοτσιές".
"Χα! Απεχθής τρόπος για να το θέσει κάποιος. Μη σε ακούσει ο κόσμος να το λες αυτό".
"Όλα τα παιδιά έχουν και μια μοχθηρή πλευρά μέσα τους. Δεν είναι μόνο καλά και ευγενικά, έχουν και άλλες προδιαθέσεις. Το ξέρω γιατί κι εγώ ήμουν έτσι παιδί".
"Οπότε εμείς τι είμαστε;" ρώτησε ο δρ Κιμ.
"Άγγελοι που ξέχασαν ότι υπάρχει παράδεισος. Γέροι άγγελοι που ξέχασαν ποιος ήταν ο προορισμός τους. Που λησμόνησαν τα φτερά τους".

Για όσους είναι εξοικειωμένοι με την κορεάτικη κουλτούρα, είναι μία κλασική ιστορία, σύμφωνα με την οποία τίποτα δεν είναι τυχαίο στη ζωή.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Οι κερασιές που ήθελαν να ανθίσουν"
Sun-mi Hwang

🌺Πέρυσι ,στην αρχή της καραντίνας μου είχαν κάνει δώρο το "Η κότα που ονειρευόταν να πετάξει" της Νοτιοκορεατισσας Sun-mi Hwang και μου είχε αρέσει πολύ. Αναζητώντας και πάλι κάτι ευχαριστο, αισιόδοξο και συγκινητικό κατέφυγα στο πιο πρόσφατο βιβλίο της ίδιας. Αυτή τη φορά όμως δεν μπορω να πω πως μου άρεσε εξίσου. Διαβάζεται βέβαια εύκολα, είναι αλληγορικό, περνάει όμορφα μηνύματα ,απλά μέσα μου συνεχώς έκανα τη σύγκριση με το προηγούμενο και δεν με κέρδισε τόσο. Παρόλα αυτά αποτελεί μια επιλογή για κάποιον που θέλει να διαβάσει κάτι αισιόδοξο που μοιάζει αρκετά με παραμύθι.

[Barry Welsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watch my review on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBOoX...

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed this novel based in south korea and it was quite moving as nothing appears to be what it is at face value

[Philomena Callan Cheekypee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this story. It was quite different to what I normally read.

Kang goes back to his childhood area after being diagnosed with brain cancer. The neighbours aren’t making it easy for him.

Who owns Cherry Hill?

Kinda reminded me of reading fables years ago. I liked it.

[Kelly Furniss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite 'fable like' this story is of Kang, an elderly man who has been diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Kang decides he need to return to Cherry Hill where his childhood memories place him and reside with his frustrations in loneliness, peace and quiet. But Cherry Hill has changed, the ownership the people the community and they have other ideas. Kang is not going to be left alone they care and support him and show a unity he has rarely seen. Can he let go of the past and forgive?.
A thoughtful and provoking tale about second chances and redemption.

[rojîn ☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Het verhaal van Kang, een oude en zieke man, die terug verhuist naar een buurt waar hij vroeger woonde, waardoor het “deksel” van zijn “pot” wordt afgerukt en oude herinneringen en emoties terugkomen.... Een verhaal wat je leert wat écht belangrijk is in het leven.
Mooie illustraties, lieve verhalen. Je leest er met gemak doorheen. Ik vond het wel redelijk voorspelbaar... dus niet erg spannend of stimulerend om te lezen.

[Vivi Chatzikiriakou · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Άκου. Μόνον έναν άνθρωπο έχω αγκαλιάσει από τότε που ήρθα εδώ• εσένα." Και έτσι συμφιλιώθηκαν- ένα παιδί που είχε γίνει γέρος κι ένα παιδί που είχε μεγαλώσει πριν από την ώρα του.

Μια αληθινή, απίστευτα παραστατική, με καλή αίσθηση του χιούμορ και τρομερά ευαίσθητη συγγραφέας. Έτσι θα περιέγραφα την Sun-mi έπειτα από την ανάγνωση αυτού του βιβλίου.

" Οι Κερασιές που ήθελαν να ανθίσουν" αφηγούνται την καθημερινότητα ενός δυναμικού, δημιουργικού άντρα της μέσης ηλικίας ο οποίος επέλεξε, ως ησυχαστήριο, το μέρος των παιδικών του αναμνήσεων, πριν η ασθένεια του τον κερδίσει. Η μετακόμιση αυτή όσο διακριτική κι αν ήθελε να ήταν, έμελλε για τον ίδιο να είναι η χειρότερη αλλά ταυτόχρονα και η καλύτερη απόφαση που πήρε ποτέ του.

Μέσα από τις σελίδες του βιβλίου, η συμπεριφορά και ο χαρακτήρας του ήρωά μας, του Κανγκ, ξύπνησε μέσα μου δικά μου προσωπικά βιώματα. Με τρόπο απλό και γεμάτο αγάπη, η συγγραφέας περιγράφει και δικαιολογεί την αυταρχική συμπεριφορά του Κανγκ απέναντι στους ανθρώπους. Με γοργή ροή, η οπτική που δεχόμαστε για την μάχη που δίνει εσωτερικά ο ίδιος ενάντια στην ασθένεια του, το είναι του αλλά και το τραυματικό παρελθόν του είναι εξαιρετικά συγκινητική. Και όσο ξετυλίγεται το κουβάρι στο ποιος είναι τελικά ο Κανγκ Νταέσου, έρχεται να προστεθεί η ανάγκη του για συγχώρεση και εξιλέωση.

Ο τρόπος που αφηγείται την ιστορία της η Sun-mi, διαχέει μια αίσθηση σεβασμού και τιμής που συναντάμε στην κορεάτικη κουλτούρα. Από τον μικρότερο μέχρι τον μεγαλύτερο σε ηλικία ήρωα, υπάρχει ευγένεια στον λόγο και στις κινήσεις του σώματος. Μέσα από τον Κανγκ μας συστήνει τους κατοίκους μιας ζωντανής γειτονιάς και μαζί του μαθαίνουμε να βλέπουμε τους ανθρώπους που μας περιβάλλουν με καλύτερη αντίληψη. Μας συμβουλεύει, πως παρόλο που οι ρυθμοί στη ζωή μας τρέχουν, αποξενώνοντας μας, η ανθρώπινη επαφή, η αγάπη και η κατανόηση είναι εκείνα που τελικά δίνουν φως και νόημα στη ζωή μας. Οπωσδήποτε ένα από το πιο "γεμάτα" τροφή για σκέψη βιβλία που αξίζει να διαβάσουμε.

[Ioanna Drakakidou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Με κέρδισε η -φαινομενικά και μόνο, αβίαστη- θετική αναπλαισίωση του ζητήματος της ασθένειας. Συστατικά του έργου, η απλότητα και η γλυκύτητα. Συστατικά και των στιγμών ευτυχίας που μπορεί κανείς να συναντήσει, δηλαδή.

[Bart Moeyaert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Misschien stap jij wél een twee drie binnen in ‘Het huis met de kersenbloesem’ van Sun-mi Hwang. Het boek was me hier en daar getipt, soms werd er in superlatieven over gesproken, maar bij mij bleek het niet te werken. Het was alsof ik de sleutel niet vond, terwijl ik doorgaans wel heel erg van uitgepuurde taal als die van Hwang hou. De magie die me was voorspeld bleef uit, de subtiele levenslessen die me waren beloofd raakten me niet.

Hwang vertelt in aparte, maar samenhorende verhalen over Dae-sun Kang, een zeer welstellende zakenman op rust. Hij heeft als het ware zijn (pijnlijke) verleden opgekocht: het hele landgoed waar hij is opgegroeid, het land eromheen en de heuvel met de kersenbomen. Vervolgens heeft hij zich van de wereld afgekeerd door hekken om zijn bezit heen te zetten, en te vertrekken.

Bij terugkomst ondervindt de oude, zieke Kang aan den lijve dat het hekken de wereld niet heeft buitengehouden. Borden met ‘verboden toegang’ zijn door de buurtbewoners genegeerd, en de man ziet langzaamaan in dat het beter is over de figuurlijke muren die hij heeft opgetrokken heen te kijken, dan zich erachter te verschuilen.

‘Het huis met de kersenbloesem’ is (naar mijn gevoel hier en daar heel Noord-Nederlands) door Mattho Mandersloot uit het Koreaans vertaald.

[Athirah Idrus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this! Kang gave me the Ove vibe, a grumpy cold old man who was bent on his ways, until he went back to Cherry Hill, a place that was supposed to be familiar to him. From his hike up Cherry Hill on the first page, we were taken on a journey as Kang confronted the ghosts of his past and learned the truth about himself and his childhood. This is a good pick for a light read.

[Ghadeer Alhelal · Rating 5 out of 5]

كانغ، عجوز أصيب بورم في مخه قرر إثره الانتقال لعيش أيامه الأخيرة في مكان مألوف، بيته الأول حيث عاش مع أبوه. فانتقل لمنزل تل الكرز وهجمت عليه طفولته كلها�� تنمُّر أطفال القرية عليه، وقسوة ابنة مالك منزل تل الكرز الأصلي الذي كان يعمل أب كانغ لصالحه، وموت أبيه بحادثة تعليق أرجوحة لابنة المالك في عيد ميلادها العاشر، واضطراره للانتقال للعيش مع عائلة أجنبية تبنته. كانت روح العجوز كانغ، مثقلة بماضي طفولته المأساوية التي لم يقدر على نسيانها مما جعله عالقًا في حقبة زمنية مضت.
عاد ليرتاح ويموت بهدوء، لكن تدريجيًا ومن دون إدراك منه، بدأ جزء حياته الذي يتمكن فيه من التصالح مع هذا الماضي. ما واجهه من هؤلاء الأطفال في طفولته جعله إنسان حانقًا وجاف لكن بعد انتقاله لهذا المنزل تعرّض لأحداث سمحت له بفَهِم الأطفال، لم يعد يراهم كـ"ملائكة طردوا من الجنة"، فَهِم تصرفات كل من أذاه وأدرك أن ما حصل كان سوء فهم كبير، فقد كانوا أطفال، وأن أبوه كان مريضًا من قبل حادثة تعليق الأرجوحة ولم يقس عليهم أحد. يمكننا القول أن كانغ عاد طفلًا بالنهاية وتمكن من اللعب مع سانغ هي، ابنة مالك منزل تل الكرز نفسها. دارت حياته وأكملت دائرة كاملة.

قصة حزينة عن الندوب التي يجرها الإنسان كأثقال طوال عمره، ندوب طفولة تُواجه في الشيخوخة، ونهاية لطيفة، طالت ولكن وصلت لتقبل وتصالح منتَظَرَين.

بداية الرواية محيرة وغريبة أشبه برواية خيالية أو فانتازية، خفت تكون قصة فيها سحر وغموض لا يمكن تفسيره، لكن تحولت لقصة حقيقية وممتعة عن شخصيات يمكن مصادفتها بالواقع.

[Erik Ros · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heerlijk. Een geheimzinnig iemand koopt het grote domein aan de berg, het dorp weet niet wie het is. Wanneer de eigenaar later naar het dorp komt, komt het verleden terug. Maar blijkbaar is niet alles zoals de hoofdpersoon het heeft ervaren. Mooi, hoe de verschillende zienswijze van wat er nu gebeurt en toen is gebeurd uiteindelijk warmte en troost bieden.

[Aki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably my favorite of her 3 translated works that I've read. There's just something about a story featuring a curmudgeonly old man that softens by the end of the novel that I find charming. And Kang's unspoken rivalry with Sanghun had me laughing out loud on a few occasions.

"Sangun looked at Kang with a braggart's expression on his face as he cycled past. Kang's expression curdled in response."

[Bart · Rating 3 out of 5]

*** 3,25 ***

[Άννα Τσιαπούρη · Rating 4 out of 5]

Μια πανέμορφη Κορεάτικη εκδοχή του Εγωιστή Γίγαντα του Όσκαρ Γουάιλντ.

Full review at Insta @vivliofreneia

https://www.instagram.com/p/CyLLv2aIH...

[Kleopatra Markou · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 ✨️

[my bookworm life · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was very kindly sent a print copy of this from the publishers to read and review.

I liked this little book , even though only quite short at 200 pages the story that it tells and the atmosphere it creates is deep and thoughtful. This in parts reminded me of 'A man called Ove' , which i really loved, a bitter man who is very stuck in his own ways and seems resentful of change and the people who are around him, but ultimately underneath he is a sweet and kind person, who allows his armour to slip a few times throughout the story. Following his interactions which the neighbourhood children and residents was always entertaining and heart warming too.

The telling of this story reminds me almost of a Fable , i thought it was very charming and i enjoyed the shortness of it, it's nice to read shorter books sometimes , and even better when they feel that so much is compacted into the story. I enjoyed the minimal surroundings and list of characters, it kept the focus well and enabled it to develop well.

I found following Kang's life every heart warming and interesting, as just even his day to day life was full of friendships , interactions and him going over some nostalgia from this past. This is an emotional tale , that deals with the after effects of change , grief and life changes, from different perspectives.

I also really thought that the authors note was very endearing , and lovely. She reflects on her own father and their relationship a little bit , and says how she drew from that to inspire her when writing this story. It added a whole new layer to this book and i thought it was really lovely.

This is my first book by this author but i will now look forward to checking out some more in the future as i enjoyed the writing style.

[Faidz Zainal Abidin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aan het einde komt alles prachtig bij elkaar.

+ mooie vormgeving met kleine illustraties
+ simpel verhaal wat soms vragen oproept maar het einde maakt het duidelijk

- de vele namen en verbinding met elkaar zijn wat verwarrend
- er gebeurt niet veel

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Inge Quets · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heerlijk boek!

[Alan M · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘They had lived different lives, in different time zones. They were in the same space right now, but they couldn’t cross over to each other.’

Korean writer Sun-mi Hwang has written a charming, deceptively simple fable which is a delight to read. And it does indeed read like a fable or allegory whilst also containing characters that develop and interest the reader, even in such a relatively short novel.

Kang Daesu has owned the big house on Cherry Hill for thirty years, but only now, having been diagnosed with a brain tumour (which he refers to as Sir Lump), has he finally has moved in. As the book slowly unfolds, we learn more about his past, and it transpires that he once lived in the very same house as a child, having been taken in, along with his father, by the family that had been living there. As secrets are revealed, Kang starts to realise that his version of the past, and his memories of that time, are wrong. The characters that he meets turn out to be the self-same people from his past, and the book edges slowly towards some sort of bittersweet redemption, a coming to turns with the past when it is almost too late.

There is some subtle – and not so subtle – symbolism throughout the book; the huge garden that surrounds the house has been used by the adjoining communities as a place to play and relax. Kang keeps finding secret gates and entrances that he has sealed up, and the garden starts to go to ruin. This is an Eden, a place where man and nature has found a balance, a breathing space in a hectic world; one character comments: ‘This is a living space….There’s always a way in.’

Surely no-one can fail to be charmed by this little book, which never veers into over-simplicity or gets too sentimental? There is an air of regret, and the sense of lost opportunities; it is a book about old age and memories and ‘the inevitability of endings.’ But there is also the belief that things can, somehow, be re-balanced, hopes can be recovered, even if for a moment, and that in the children the future is in good hands. A story of redemption with some beautiful illustrations that convey the (apparent) simplicity of the tale, I definitely recommend this. 4 stars.

[Heather Cupit · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just read this. It is quirky and I like quirky. Not a book you can closely follow or get into with immediacy. The lead character is involved with the past and so there's some flipping back and forward - I'm not good with time travelling. But it is curious and there are some engaging characters young and old. And the setting is South Korea... If you fancy a book that features a cockerel, a mystery house, a man with a tumour who takes up guitar playing and makes new friends after decades of 'aloneness', you might try this one.

[Apollos Michio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miracle on Cherry Hill is a strangely charming novel about a lonely cancer-ridden man who returns to his childhood town with a heart full of resentment. Over time, however, as he gets to know the people who live in the town and the truth behind the events that occurred there when he was young, he realises the fallibility of his own deep-seated prejudices and the redemptive power of forgiveness.

Overall, this book is a fable that reminds us how our own impressions and thoughts might not be an accurate portrayal of reality. The preconceived notions that we have in our heads might not be true and it is very easy for us to become blind to this fact. Sometimes, it is only when we let go of our stubbornness that we can see the truth of reality.

Read this book, and be open-minded while you’re at it. Who knows it might soften your heart, just like how it softened mine!

4/5

[BrianC75 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was attracted to this book by the simple but very attractive cover illustration. When I read the flyleaf I was unconvinced but decided to give it a go. A good decision.
Hard book to describe really. Initially the novel reads like a foreign fairy tale written in a slightly naive language but as you are pulled further into the story you recognise how subtly the author is slipping in quite sophisticated coverage of some of man's fundamental social and psychological problems. The tale and characters become very appealing and wanting to discover how things pan out becomes the reader's only concern. I enjoyed this and was moved emotionally at times by the story and also by the way it was told. Loved the simple illustrations preceding each chapter.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A minimalist tale with a wonderfully fable-esque quality - its humble nature provided effortless company and rewarding insightfulness from beginning to end.

Watching anyone exchange the armour surrounding their heart for understanding, and being understood, is priceless.

I would definitely consider reading more work by this author in future.

(I received a digital copy of this title from the publisher via Netgalley with my thanks, which is was my pleasure to read and review.)

[KONSTANTINOS BILLIAS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Καιρο ειχα να διαβασω ενα τοσο ωραιο βιβλιο , που ομως πραγματευτεται ενα τοσο απλα ανθρωπινο θεμα,
Ευαισθητο θεμα , ευαισθητη γραφη .Η συγγραφεας χρησιμοποποιει αλληγοριες για να προσεγγισει θεματα οπως η φιλια, η αξια της συντροφικοτητας , το κοστος της επιτυχιας, η κλονισμενη υγεια και αλλα απλα καθημερινα θεματα , πλην ομως πανανθρωπινα.
Η αλληγορια του λοφου με τις κερασιες καπου θυμιζει Oscar Wild και τον Εγωιστη Γιγαντα.
Σιγουρα θα διαβασω και αλλα βιβλια της

[Lefteris Knt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Με συγκίνησε!
Μια ιστορία για τη παιδική ηλικία και πόσο πολύτιμη είναι! Ηθικό δίδαγμα: να είμαστε πάντα ευγενικοί με τον άνθρωπο που έχουμε μπροστά μας γιατι δεν γνωρίζουμε το παρελθόν του και τη πιθανή σχέση που μπορεί να έχουμε μαζί του!