유령의 마음으로

by Lim Sunwoo, 임선우

소설가 임선우의 첫 소설집. 한국문학을 사랑하는 독자라면 이미 임선우라는 이름과 마주한 기억이 있을 것이다. 2019년 <문학사상> 신인상을 수상하며 작품 활동을 시작한 임선우는 고요하고도 능청스러운 환상을 부려 놓은 소설들을 착실히 발표해 왔으며, 풍경이 다른 섬들처럼 다양한 매력을 지닌 여덟 편의 작품들이 마침내 한 권의 책으로 엮여 나왔다.

현실은 막막하고, 관계는 지난하고, 일상은 그 모든 막막하고 지난한 것들이 반복되는 무대다. 평범한 일상에 “아무런 예고 없이”(평론가 황예인) 펼쳐지는 임선우식 환상은 “‘나’와 타인의 관계의 문을 열어 주는 매개”임과 동시에 “‘나’ 자신에 대한 완전한 이해를 위한 역할로서 작용”(소유정)한다. 이러한 평가는 곧, 타인과 자신에 대한 깊은 이해가 소멸해 가고 있는 현실에 임선우의 소설이 반드시 필요한 이유에 대한 답이 되어 준다.

유령, 변종 해파리, 나무가 된 사람 등 환상적 존재들은 일상적인 사건처럼 삶에 스며 인물들을 긴긴 생각에 잠기도록 만든다. 왜 내 삶에 이런 일이 벌어졌을까? 나와 똑같이 생긴 유령을 어떻게 대해야 할까? 쉬이 끝나지 않는 고민들은 점점 인물의 삶 전반에 대한 고민으로 넓어지고, 독자들의 곁에도 어느새 책 속 유령이 건넨 따스한 생각들이 깊숙이 스며 있을 것이다.

Genres: Short Stories, Contemporary, Literary Fiction

284 pages, Paperback

First published March 25, 2022

Reviews

[Alwynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

An impressive collection of unsettling, uncanny tales from award-winning South Korean author Lim Sunwoo. The pleasingly whimsical cover is somewhat misleading. Lim Sunwoo does draw on the weird and the fantastical but in order to address quite weighty issues from urban alienation to overwhelming, personal trauma. It’s bookended by inventive variations on the traditional ghost story. The title piece introduces an entity that’s part spirit, part doppelganger to reflect on the soul-destroying sense of isolation that may result from years of repressing emotion. Despite flirting with elements of so-called ‘healing fiction’ it’s well-observed, rescued from sentimentality by Lim Sunwoo’s wonderfully wry delivery. “Curtain Call, Extra Inning, Last Pang” is told from the perspective of someone recently dead allowed to remain in the world for a few hours to bid farewell to their earthly surroundings. It gradually constructs a bleakly-comic meditation on feeling adrift in a fast-paced, highly competitive society.

Presumably inspired by coverage of the ongoing, so-called jellyfish crisis in which swarms of potentially toxic jellyfish have restricted entry to the sea in areas like Jeju and Gangwon, “You’re Not Glowing” depicts a future in which humanity’s continued existence is threatened by hordes of malignant jellyfish. Anyone who touches one is transformed into a zombie-like equivalent. Lim Sunwoo’s deft reworking of the familiar, creature-feature narrative turns this into a moving, insightful exploration of yearning and a search for meaningful connection. Themes around transformation and a thwarted desire for intimacy resurface in “Summer, Like the Colour of Water” where a man searching for his estranged girlfriend is literally rooted to the spot in the studio she once inhabited. His presence is a source of angst and, later, cautious optimism for the new tenant. It’s laced with memorable scenes and images, with intriguing echoes of Han Kang’s The Vegetarian.

Lim Sunwoo’s clearly fascinated by the possibilities arising from splicing together the fantastical and the slice-of-life - in keeping with key influences like Patrick Süskind’s short fiction and Kyoko Okazaki’s searing manga. In “Go Sleep at Home” the disappearance of a pet gecko leads to a bizarre, male bonding ritual involving housecleaning and an abundance of takeaway food. The disturbing, bordering on absurdist, “The Hibernating Guy” presents a low-paid worker in the gig economy with a situation that unexpectedly unleashes a torrent of rage and resentment. It’s an arresting take on the impact of social inequality on struggling, contemporary Koreans. “Even Though It’s Not Alaska” is one of the strangest Christmas stories I’ve ever encountered, centred on an outcast woman plotting to avenge the killing of her beloved cats who’s unexpectedly saved from grief and loneliness through a series of surreal encounters with her tattoo-artist neighbour. At its best, richly imaginative, I particularly enjoyed Lim Sunwoo’s distinctive imagery and eccentric, dreamlike perspective on the everyday. Translated by Chi-young Kim.

Thanks to Edelweiss and publisher The Unnamed Press for an ARC

[Michela · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the end of the last story I bursted into tears. This was absolutely stunning, flawless, life-changing. It’s healing fiction at its very very best, every story was so touching and unique and creative and not at all sentimental while being so hard-hitting.

I’m in awe of Korean lit. Please read outside of Han Kang and please don’t scoff at books with cats on the cover, you’re really missing out on incredible authors.

[Sadie E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

A quietly strange and touching short story collection that leans into surreal ideas without losing sight of the emotions underneath. The author uses odd situations to explore familiar feelings, like loneliness, breakups, grief, the need to be seen.

What I liked most is the gentle, compassionate tone. Even when characters are doing something unsettling or impossible, the writing never judges them. There's a subtle sense of humor that balances the melancholy, and some stories really linger after you finish them, especially the ones that focus on quiet connections between people who feel out of place

Not every story hit the same way. A few felt a bit underdeveloped, and the similar emotional beats across the collection blur together if you read it all at once.

[Val~ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to Unnamed Press and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of With the Heart of a Ghost by Lim Sumwoo. This is a speculative fiction book with a collection of paranormal short stories with different meanings to be inferred from. I liked the layout and design, and also that the cover shows some hints of the stories. However, I would have liked more coherence in the plots. In my opinion, the idea is good, but for me, it lacks substance.

[fede · Rating 4 out of 5]

➳ four point two five stars.

“sometimes it felt like my anxiety was living my life for me.”

how can we even begin to describe the wonderfully complex experience of breathing, living, and being in pain on this earth right now? in this collection of paranormal short stories lim sunwoo tries to do exactly that: she describes the small moments that hurt us and deeply change us, and she does so with real care and compassion. trauma often shows up when we least expect it: maybe it’s a ghost or a symbol following us everywhere we go, or maybe it’s the reflection we see in the mirror. i truly loved getting immersed in this world of strange creatures and finding parallels with real life. as long as we feel pain we are still alive.

“i gathered that people wanted to talk about themselves. i still didn’t know what that felt like.”

arc kindly sent by the publisher. all opinions are my own.

———

strangely heartwarming. full rtc!!

———

this collection of paranormal short stories sounds right up my alley!!

[jessicajlovesbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of speculative supernatural fiction stories that all have paranormal aspects. It blends the paranormal with everyday life. There are eight short stories. Four of them, I really enjoyed. But, the others I struggled to get through. For me the first two and last two stories were the best. My favorite overall was You’re Not Glowing. It literally had me tearing up. Curtain Call, Extra Inning, Last Pang was also very heartwarming and endearing. These stories deal with themes of grief, pet loss, loneliness, self-reflection, and love.

Thanks to Netgalley and Unnamed Press for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Mirinha · Rating 2 out of 5]

With the Heart of a Ghost was definitely an experience, just not the one I expected. I thought there’d be more actual ghosts and that cozy, magical realism vibe I usually love, but a lot of the stories felt confusing. A couple were okay, but the others really dragged for me. The idea and the cover are gorgeous, but overall, it was a tough one to get through.

Thank you to Netgalley and Unnamed Press for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Faïza · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Sometimes it felt like my anxiety was living my life for me."

This lovely short story collection was my Halloween read this year. Far from being scary, it explores human emotions and relationships through the first-person narratives of eight characters experiencing various struggles. They’re lonely, remorseful, grief-stricken, heartbroken, disillusioned. But by the end they have all learned something about themselves, acquiring the freedom they might not know they needed, finally able to move on. I found the hopeful endings weirdly comforting.

Some tales were a bit less engaging than others, while a few left so many questions unanswered they seemed unfinished. The lack of speech marks could also get confusing. Nonetheless I like what they all have in common: a good mix of fantastical and realistic elements (Lim expertly criticises the flaws in our society, especially Korea’s). If I had to pick a favourite story, I think I’d go with the first one. Thanks to Unnamed Press via NetGalley for the ARC!

[jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

“With the Heart of a Ghost” is a South Korean short-story collection filled with so much hope. all 8 of these stories analyzed the human condition through unique storylines and strange, often lonely, characters. from a world in which a woman wants to turn into a jellyfish as a means of escapism, to a man who begins turning into a tree in his ex’s apartment, to the ghost of a k-pop trainee who finally gets her moment on stage; the worlds surrounding these characters are uncanny, but the characters themselves are extremely human. these stories are a reminder of the beauty and power of friendship and connection during a time in which more people than ever feel alone.

many of these stories grapple with themes of love and loss, identity, isolation, and societal expectations. most of these stories were so tender and heartwarming that i could have cried. there were 2 or 3 stories toward the end that just really didn’t do it for me and lessened my overall enjoyment, but the final story got things back on track and made for a perfect conclusion to this collection. i’m so eager to get my hands on a physical copy of this and reread these stories. such a beautiful body of work.

publishing february 10th from the unnamed press! thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of strange and sad short stories that left me feeling a bit lonely. I especially loved the jellyfish story, I think it will stay with me for a long time. While each story is unique, I think they all have a similar vibe. While I didn't think so while reading, on reflection I think all of the stories are about loneliness in some way, but in different perspectives. I really enjoyed these and would love to read whatever Lim Sunwoo comes out with next.

[Tory · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you net galley for the chance to review this arc. highly recommend reading this one if you love magical realism, korean culture and whimsically weird, heartfelt stories about what it means to exist as a human ✨💕

[Sagar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jellyfish fiction is so important

Standouts:
- You're Not Glowing
- Summer, Like the Colour of Water
- Even Though It's Not Alaska

[LX · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up!

Thank you so much to the publisher for an E-ARC!

I really liked this collection. Was expecting the stories themselves to be weird which they were but for some reason I was expecting something more?? I'm not sure what which is an odd thing to say but I think more unexplained weirdness, unsettling, than magical

[Keisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

유령의 마음으로 - 4.5 stars
빛이 나지 않아요 - 3.5 stars
여름은 물빛처럼 - 3.5 stars
낯선 밤에 우리는 - 2.5 stars
집에 가서 자야지 - 2 stars
동면하는 남자 - 2 stars
알래스카는 아니지만 - 2.5 stars
커튼콜, 연장전, 라스트팡 - 3 stars

[brokebookmountain · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first saw the blurb for this book, I knew I immediately had to read it. Short stories with fantastical and magical elements? Sign me up! It really sounds like my cup of tea, especially the fact that the descriptions of the stories sound really quirky, concepts that are bizarre and borderline ridiculous.

But wow. I loved this collection more than I thought I would. Lim writes a collection of 8 stories that are weird, but wholesome and touching. Her favorite characters are those who are isolated, alienated, and lonely. People who wish to have human connection, who desire love and trust and being part of a community that accepts them. People who realize that some bonds are meant to be left behind, to be cherished as a memory, a temporary thing that once gave them warmth and strength. These characters now know that it's time to leave the comfort of isolation or the expired relationships because they're gradually becoming shackles to their own happiness and independence.

Lim's stories in here are mostly decent, solid stories (3.5-3.75 stars), but some of them truly takes the cake. "You're Not Glowing" is my personal favorite, followed closely behind by "That Unfamiliar Night". There's something so raw and emotional in these two stories that tug on my heartstrings. The Hibernating Guy, With the Heart of a Ghost, Go Sleep at Home, and Curtain Call, Extra Inning, Last Pang are decent stories to read as well, and my least favorites would be Even Though It's Not Alaska and Summer, Like the Color of Water. But all of the stories still hold their own weight, and I thought Lim was good at setting up the atmosphere and tone of the stories that they are all distinct in their own ways.

With that being said, I still have some qualms with this collection.

I think that some of the stories here can be redundant, with themes that are very similar to one another. I don't mind having a shared theme in a collection; in fact, some of the best collection I've read follow one singular theme like Rejection and The Secret Lives of Church Ladies. The difference between With the Heart of a Ghost and these stories are the way the theme is represented or executed. Some of the stories in here, if you pare them down, follow this exact pattern: two (or more) lonely misfits connect with each other, creating a bond that brings them warmth through companionship. Which I find so endearing, but after seeing the exact same idea executed multiple times, it gets really tedious to read. That's not to say the stories were all the same thing, it's just that this pattern repeats itself throughout some of the stories. It doesn't take away from the distinctive charm and personality that Lim built for each story, but I just wished the stories were more diverse in their execution.

Overall, this was a zany, charming little collection. Lim's writing is very reminiscent of Choi Eunyoung, Banana Yoshimoto, and Kaori Ekuni. Warmth and hope bleeds into her writing, portraying loneliness, grief, and heartbreak in a moving way. I felt the author's sincerity in her words, which reminds me of something the late Malaysian director, Yasmin Ahmad, said about how sincerity is what she looked for in any film; if a film moved her, she would consider it a great film (I don't remember the exact wording, but something along the lines of that). I think sometimes a great book is one that is sincere, and I can feel Lim's hopes and emotions for a less lonely world in this collection.

Many thanks to The Unnamed Press and Edelweiss for this collection!
3.75 stars, rounded up to 4.

[Paul Fulcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

None of what I'd done felt like my choice. Leaving home as soon as I turned eighteen, working at a movie theater in a basement, visiting the canal, keeping a human tree in my home. Sometimes it felt like my anxiety was living my life for me. I combed my hair back and said, Don't be too grateful, because I will dig you out in six days.

With The Heart of a Ghost: Stories (2026) is Chi-Young Kim's translation of 유령의 마음으로 (2022) by 임선우 (Sunwoo Lim). The Korean original is listed on Goodreads separately: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

This is a collection of gently offbeat stories, typically the first person narrator going through a break-up, or similar, and then encountering something, often supernatural, that throws them out of their normal routine, but leads them to re-examine their situation.

In one sense this collection is adjacent to the healing fiction trend, but far more interesting that the Magical Healing Coffee at the Bookshop-cum-Laundromat genre.

The title story has the narrator, who works as a bakery, visited by her own ghost, who helps her talk to the fish which she feeds the leftover Potato Buns (her own favourite the Soboro Bread) and work through how she should move on from her boyfriend, in a coma for two years.

You’re Not Glowing has Korean seawaters visited by glowing jellyfish who turn anyone who touches them into another of their species, and the narrator helps someone who wished to make this transition.

In Summer, Like the Color of Water the narrator’s flat is visited by the ex- of the previous tenant, who decides, literally, to put down roots until she returns, turning into a human-tree hybrid.

While Go Sleep at Home has the narrator helping her ex, who still lives with her, neither able to afford buying out the other’s deposit, hunt their apartment block for his missing gecko, in the process befriending the man who lives above them, himself fresh from a break-up.

Thanks to the publisher via Netgalley for the ARC.

3.5 stars rounded to 4.

List of stories

유령의 마음으로 - With the Heart of a Ghost
빛이 나지 않아요 - You're Not Glowing
여름은 물빛처럼 - Summer, Like the Colour of Water
낯선 밤에 우리는 - That Unfamiliar Night
집에 가서 자야지 - Go Sleep at Home
동면하는 남자 - The Hibernating Guy
알래스카는 아니지만 - Even Though It's Not Alaska
커튼콜, 연장전, 라스트 팡 - Curtain Call, Extra Inning, Last Pang

Quotes in English translation and Korean original

I studied the ghost as it cried. All the emotions that couldn’t fully surface in me resided entirely within the ghost. I reached out and wiped the tears flowing down the ghost’s cheeks. I couldn’t touch them, but they were clearly warm; they were so warm that I was able to cry. What kind of ghost cries like this? I asked. Because I’m not a ghost, the ghost said, weeping. The ghost wrapped me into a hug, and I felt perfectly understood, something I’d never before experienced in my entire life. I think this is the end, I said in the ghost’s arms, and the ghost answered, Yes, it is.
- from With the Heart of a Ghost

나는 유령의 우는 얼굴을 바라보았다. 나에게 도달하지 못한 감정들이 전부 그 안에 머무르고 있었다. 나는 손을 뻗어 유령의 두 눈에서 뚝뚝 떨어지는 눈물을 닦아 주었다. 손에 닿지는 않았지만 분명 따뜻했고, 너무나 따뜻해서, 나는 울 수 있었다. 대체 어떤 유령이 눈물까지 흘리는 거야. 내가 말했다. 나는 유령이 아니니까. 유령은 우는 와중에도 그렇게 말했다. 잠시 뒤에 유령이 나를 끌어안았는데, 그것은 내가 태어나서 처음으로 받아 보는, 한 치의 오차도 없는 완전한 이해였다. 여기까지인 것 같아. 안긴 채로 내가 말했을 때 유령은 그래, 라고 대답해 주었다.
-「유령의 마음으로」에서

My first client lived in an apartment with three generations of her family. Lee Gyeongsun, 80, is ill and wants to go to the sea. This was the concise note written on the intake form. I rang the bell and Mrs. Lee’s daughter opened the door. I followed her into the primary bedroom to find the low, bathtub-sized tank that our technician had installed the day before. Mrs. Lee was there too. I said hello, and she asked me who I was. I said I was going to assist her through this process, and she asked me again who I was. I said, I’m going to help you become a jellyfish, but she kept asking me the same question.
- from You're Not Glowing

내가 처음으로 파견된 집은 삼대가 사는 아파트였다. ‘이경순, 82세, 병환으로 인한 고통에서 벗어나 바다로 가고 싶음.’ 고객 정보란에는 간략하게 적혀 있었다. 초인종을 누르자 이경순 씨 딸이 문을 열어 주었다. 그를 따라 안방으로 들어가 보니 전날 기사가 와서 설치하고 간 욕조 높이의 낮은 수조와 이경순 씨가 있었다. 내가 인사를 건네자 이경순 씨는 나에게 누구냐고 물었다. 도우미라고 대답하자 그는 또다시 내게 누구냐고 물었다. 할머니께서 해파리가 되실 수 있도록 도와드릴 거예요, 설명했지만 그는 계속해서 내가 누구인지 물었다.
-「빛이 나지 않아요」에서

Kyobo entry for the original

https://product.kyobobook.co.kr/detai...

[B.S. Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

What are ghosts, really? Are they the souls of the dearly departed, a warning from the great beyond, a manifestation of our subconscious desires and fears - or something entirely unexplainable?

In this mesmerising collection of eight newly translated short stories, we meet brand new ghost stories with lives (or deaths) of their own. They're full of wonder and whimsy, playing with the concepts of ghosts to explore different aspects of life from self-reflection, loss, love and identity. Each story has it's own style, but the same contemplative, warm voice flows through every one.

These tales are strange, with beautifully vivid writing and lyrical, poetic wording that were a pleasure to read. Sunwoo paints each story in rich detail, whether the setting is ordinary or extraordinary, keeping each tale short but their core ideas still shining through without having to interpret or think too hard (although you may anyway)

Some of the tales bordered on the longer side of what you'd expect from a short story collection - with the eight covering 200 pages - some felt like I wanted them to be snappier but I still loved the strange middle land that these worlds inhabit, offering a bit of world building, some carefully curated details without a full narrative.

A ghost who looks just like the narrator reflects her feelings back to her in a bun shop; mutant jellyfish take over the world and if you touch one you become one yourself; a heartbroken man becomes a tree in his ex’s apartment; the ghost of a wannabe K-pop star stuck in a vacuum cleaner wants out; Jugyeong helps a man hibernate by burying him up to his neck; Huiae, in deep conflict with her husband, reconnects with her strange old friend; Jo has lost his best friend–a gecko–but won't give up the search; and Suyeong plots revenge on a wild dog that killed her cats by channeling her inner cat.

A strange little book with a lot of charm, this is a great addition to your bookshelf if you love a casual existential crisis.

[Aleks T (alisbookedup) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lim Sunwoo has managed to create a collection of short stories that perfectly reflects the everyday beauty of existence through the liminal spaces between life and death. Every story, at its core, speaks to how even our most seemingly insignificant decisions can reroute our lives and within those shifts, we are able to find joy if we look hard enough. These stories emphasize the importance of companionship, of caring for the people around you, of the sincerity of reaching for your dreams- sometimes even after death.

Normally, when I’m invested in a book, I can’t put it down, but I found myself taking a day between stories so that I wouldn’t have to let this collection go too early and I still feel like this book could have been longer. Sunwoo is cemented as a master of literature and I’m looking forward to every new release after this one.

If you need a heartwarming and soul-enriching book to read, “With the Heart of a Ghost” comes out February 10th, 2026. Preorder from an independent bookstore if you have the opportunity. Endless thanks to NetGalley, Unnamed Press, and Lim Sunwoo for the opportunity to review this incredible collection.

[Vish · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review

3.5 ⭐
*With the Heart of a Ghost* by Lim Sunwoo, translated by ChiYoung Kim, is a beautifully crafted collection of short stories that blend tenderness, melancholy, and quiet reflection. I was instantly drawn into its world—the stories felt deeply human, each exploring emotions that linger long after you finish reading.

Every piece carried its own charm and message, but my personal favorites were “You’re Not Glowing” and “Curtain Call, Extra Inning, Last Pang.” They both had that perfect balance of warmth and wistfulness that I love in literary fiction.

Lim Sunwoo’s writing (and Kim’s translation) work in harmony to deliver something both simple and profound. This is the kind of book that reminds you why you love reading—short enough to devour in one evening, but meaningful enough to stay with you much longer.

I’ll definitely be adding a physical copy to my shelf and recommending it to anyone who enjoys thoughtful, emotional storytelling.

[Carlos]

Leído en coreano.

Colección de relatos de una autora debutante. Tienen un estilo que recuerda mucho a otra literatura "reconfortante" coreana. Personajes con problemas cotidianos hablando entre ellos, y buscando desesperadamente algún tipo de resolución. Los problemas aquí se transfiguran en deformaciones fantásticas y mágicas. Un hombre que no puede aceptar que su novia lo haya dejado se convierte en árbol y echa raíces en el que era el anterior piso donde vivía ella, por ejemplo.

No es tan cliché como las novelas más comunes de este género ("la cafetería/lavandería/librería mágica de X"), pero la mayoría de relatos parece que siguen el mismo molde. Nada especial, pero entretenido de leer. Sí he de decir que alguno de los relatos podrían ser simpáticos en forma de obra de teatro o cortometraje. Muchos de los finales son inconclusos y me recordaron a cosas que harían Hong Sangsoo o Haruki Murakami.

[Lyn Tan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is probably the weirdest book I’ve ever read. It is so weird that I find it fascinating 😅

The author has created 8 strange, short stories, each carries a deep meaning. The most memorable chapter for me was Chapter 2: You’re Not Glowing. I remember thinking WTF did I just read?! 😂 BUT when I reflected on the chapter, I began to appreciate the message the author tried to convey.

I like how quirky this book is. It may not be for everyone — I had a hard time digesting its weirdness at first, especially when reading the second chapter. After contemplating on the hidden message each chapter carries, I learnt to enjoy the uniqueness of the book. 

Recommended if you like humorous, quirky, weird, strange (add all the synonyms here) stories with hidden messages to ponder.

Thank you NetGalley and Unnamed Press for this e-ARC!

Author: Lim Sunwoo
Translator: Chi-Young Kim

[Ambi · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the Heart of a Ghost is an exceptional short story collection! Sunwoo writes in a very terse and pragmatic way, which I really enjoyed and I thought lent itself well to the surrealism of the worlds she’s created. Some of my favorite stories from the collection were You’re Not Glowing (jellyfish are swarming the beaches and turning people into jellyfish when they sting), That Unfamiliar Night (a woman struggling with infertility runs into an old junior high acquaintance), and Even Though It’s Not Alaska (in which a woman trains to get revenge for her murdered cats). Straddling the line of realism and absurdism, every story in this collection has so much heart. I genuinely can’t wait to read them again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Unnamed Press for the ARC! With the Heart of a Ghost publishes on Feb 10, 2026

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

This is a very whimsical and strange collection of short stories that I generally quite enjoyed. The stories address real issues (grief, depression, family pressure, etc.) and reflect real life - they're very slice of life type stories. The stories have some sort of paranormal aspect to them (some more than others) and the overall tone is quite sad / lonely. I liked the first few stories ("With the Heart of the Ghost", "You're Not Glowing", "Summer, Like the Color of the Water") the most and I think I connected with them best. Would definitely recommend this to people who enjoy speculative and literary fiction short stories

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the eARC!

[Lara A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for providing a review copy. There were some errors as it was an uncorrected proof, but it didn't impact my enjoyment of this book, because little short of permanently stopping me from reading it could do that.

Yes, some stories are better than others, but this is an excellent and exciting body of work from a debut author. Yes, there's magical realism a-plenty and that's nothing new in short story land, but there's a depth of feeling and an eye for the beauty in the everyday which makes this a truly special collection. This collection is already generating some buzz, but it really deserves to become genuinely beloved. Also: one of the rare cases where the author note made me love the stories even more.

[Nicki Markus · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the Heart of a Ghost was a fun collection of tales that were fantastical and strange rather than spooky despite the references to ghosts. As I always say with short story collections, there were naturally some tales that spoke to me personally more than others, but all in this book were interesting reads even if I liked some over others. The stories are contemplative but also warm and hopeful, and they cover universal themes that anyone could relate to. If you are looking for a light read that is also thought-provoking, this collection is worth a look. I am giving it 4 stars.

I received this book as a free eBook ARC via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

[idil · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, that was an experience, a confusing one. I was really excited about this book since I love magical realism; it usually feels warm and comforting while exploring deeper themes/emotions. But With the Heart of a Ghost ended up being too absurd for my taste. I’m not sure if it was the translation or just me, but I didn’t find the characters funny or engaging. I ended up dnfing it around 70%, as the stories felt like they were missing something. I just couldn’t connect. The cover is absolutely stunning, and the concept behind the book is wonderful, but sadly, it didn’t reach my heart.

Thank you NetGalley for providing ARC in exchange of my honest opinion.

[JJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story collection worked so well for me. Each story is a unique character exploration on its own, but together is where the magic came together. Within each story there were unexplored feelings, repressed or forgotten, but without hope. Watching the characters go through interesting experiences, seemingly realistic or speculative situations, while growing and changing some aspect of their lives, made me care so deeply for each of them. I'll be suggesting my library get this short story collection and I'll be following this author for their future work!

Thank you so much to The Unnamed Press, Netgalley, and Lim Sunwoo for the opportunity to read this collection.

[Adam · Rating 1 out of 5]

I always say that my spirit animal is a starfish, so maybe jellyfish isn't too far off?

Short story collections either hit you right in the feels or leave you disappointed, and unfortunately, this collection just did not work for me. This collection had the "vibes" of a Sayaka Murata novel but without the distinct characters or absurd yet compelling plot.

I somewhat liked the jellyfish story which reminded me of OUR WIVES UNDER THE SEA, but the rest just left me bored. If you like slice of life, "vibes-based" stories, then this collection may be worth trying, but it just left me wanting to pick up EARTHLINGS again.

Thank you to Unnamed Press and Netgalley for the ARC!

[Skirmantė · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 stars.

A strong collection of uncanny and unsettling paranormal-like short stories. The beginning was particularly compelling, though some of the later tales did not resonate with me as much.

All of the stories have intriguing premises, and many elements are presented as subtly abnormal. The writing relies heavily on personification and metaphor, and the language flows beautifully throughout. Several of the stories are genuinely heart wrenching. Overall, the central theme seems to be the struggle of living in a modern society that places high expectations on people.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all, thanks NetGalley and Unnamed Press for giving me an advenced copy!

Sooooo, the thing about a book of short stories is that it will be either amazing or it will be kinda of boring. Unfortunatly, "With the Heart of a Ghost" goes better with the second option.

Honestly, the jellyfish one is such an amazing story that all the others that followed, they seemd just... week. As a matter of fact, I didn't even understand all the stories, so I believed that this books it's just not for me.