An evening of poetry from two South Korean poets at the Hayward Gallery: National Poetry Library Lates: May Wednesday 1 May 2019, 8pm Hayward Gallery | Dan Graham Waterloo Sunset Pavilion Approximate run time: 120 mins Tickets £10 + booking fee | Book tickets here Our new series of late-night poetry salons continues with two … [Read More]
Books and literature (page 13)
Book review: Hwang Sok-yong – At Dusk
Hwang Sok-yong: At Dusk Translated by Sora Kim-Russell Scribe, 2018, 188pp Originally published as 해질 무렵, Munhakdongne, 2015 What a relief it is when a novel is both thought-provoking and a pleasure to read. Hwang Sok-yong’s At Dusk made me look forward to my daily commute (pretty much the only time I get to read). … [Read More]
April literature night: The Court Dancer, by Shin Kyung-sook
The Korean Literature Night is a monthly discussion group that explores various themes and topics relating to that month’s chosen book. Shin Kyung-sook: The Court Dancer Wedneday 24 April 2019, 19.00-21.00 @KCCUK Entrance Free – Booking Essential Apply to [email protected] or call 020 7004 2600 with your name and contact details by Sunday 7th April. … [Read More]
Book notes: Hwang Jung-eun — I’ll Go On
Hwang Jungeun: I’ll Go On Translated by Emily Yae Won Tilted Axis Press, 2018 Serialised as 소라나나나기, 2012-2013, and published as 계속해보겠습니다, 2014, by Changbi After not really warming to Hwang Jungeun’s One Hundred Shadows, I nevertheless invested in the second translation of her work by Tilted Axis Press firstly because the press deserves our … [Read More]
March literature night: At Dusk, by Hwang Sok-yong
The Korean Literature Night is a monthly discussion group that explores various themes and topics relating to that month’s chosen book. The second literature night of 2019 looks at Sora Kim-Russell’s translation of Hwang Sok-yong’s latest: Hwang Sok-yong: At Dusk 27 March, 19.00-21.00 @KCCUK Entrance Free – Booking Essential Apply to [email protected] or call 020 … [Read More]
Bae Chan-hyo’s new book of photography
I always find it strangely rewarding when things going on in London get featured in the Korean press. London-based photographer Bae Chan-hyo’s upcoming exhibition at Purdy Hicks, Jumping Into, gets a feature in yesterday’s Korea JoongAng Daily newspaper. Bae has been active on the London art scene at least since 2006, when he took part … [Read More]
Movie review: E J-Yong – My Brilliant Life
A feelgood Korean drama which the main character has a fatal and incurable disease, and who is writing an account for the benefit of loved ones when he is gone? Been there, done that. Well, not exactly: when the director is E J-Yong and the movie is an adaptation of a Kim Aeran novel, you … [Read More]
February literature night: I’ll Go On by Hwang Jungeun
The Korean Literature Night is a monthly discussion group that explores various themes and topics relating to that month’s chosen book. The first literature night of 2019 will look at Tilted Axis’s latest Hwang Jungeun novel: Hwang Jung-Eun: I’ll Go On Wednesday 27 February 2019, 19.00-21.00 Venue: Korean Cultural Centre UK Entrance Free – Booking … [Read More]
Book Review: Pyun Hye-young — The Hole
Pyun Hye-young: The Hole Translated by Sora Kim-Russell Arcade Publishing, 2017, 208pp Originally published as 홀 by 문학과지성사, 2016 In the collection of short stories entitled Evening Proposal, Pyun Hye-young introduces us to a series of different very ordinary people trapped in humdrum lives, examining what happens when they are placed in unusual situations. Pyun … [Read More]
Korea: Divisions and Borders – Wasafiri Special Issue 96 Launch
Thursday 21 February 2019, 18:30 – 21:00 GMT Korean Cultural Centre UK | Grand Buildings | 1-3 Strand | London WC2N 5BW Register via EventBrite South Korea’s transformation as a country over the past sixty years has been nothing short of astonishing, and the nation now ranks amongst the world’s most advanced societies and largest … [Read More]
Book review: Min Kym — Gone
Min Jin Kym: Gone — A Girl, a Violin, a Life Unstrung Viking, 2017, 256pp When Min Jin Kym’s Gone came out, I mentally heaved a sigh of relief. Here’s one Korea-related book, I thought, among the dozens that will be published this year, that I don’t need to read. The story of how her … [Read More]
The Poetry Review Winter edition launch
The Poetry Review: Winter edition launch event Wednesday 23 January 2019, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm The Poetry Cafe | 22 Betterton Street | London WC2H 9BX | poetrysociety.org.uk Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance at [email protected] The Poetry Society celebrates the launch of the Winter issue of The Poetry Review, showing … [Read More]
New and upcoming non-fiction titles for 2019
Unlike my list that attempts to compile upcoming literature and fiction titles, here I’ve had to be selective in what to include, otherwise the length of this post would be unmanageable. Nevertheless I’ve almost certainly missed out some titles that I’d want to have on my bookshelf. I’ve divided the list into seven sections: Literature … [Read More]
Upcoming literature and fiction titles for 2019
Here’s my first attempt at compiling a list of fiction and poetry titles coming up in 2019. Let me know what I’ve missed. Unlike my separate list of non-fiction I have not exercised any editorial control here: this is everything I have been able to find. The list is in four parts: Modern and contemporary … [Read More]
A look back at the 2018 literary year
A look back at the books and literary events of the year – and a summary of my reading diary. Literature in translation In translated fiction, my reading this year has not managed anywhere near to keep pace with the amount of translations being published. I know I said the same in respect of 2017 … [Read More]
Wasafiri, the international literary magazine, launches Korea-focused number
The Winter 2018 issue of Wasafiri, the British literary magazine covering international contemporary writing, has a Korea focus. On sale now online or in good book stores. There will be a celebratory launch event on 21 February 2019 – details to be confirmed. Wasafiri Issue 96, Winter 2018 Special Issue – Korea: Divisions and Borders … [Read More]