A rich, fantastical tale, Cheon Myeong-Kwan’s debut novel Whale was first published in Korea 10 years ago and has been translated into English by Chi-Young Kim. Set in Korea, the story follows the journey of Geumbok, a young woman who flees her abusive father and small village by using her charm and tenacity. When she reaches the harbour city and spots a whale in the ocean, it becomes symbolic of the strength she has to display in life, particularly within her relationships.
The theme of strong female characters continues in a different guise with the story of Chunhui, Geumbok’s mute daughter, whose unique skill is being able to communicate with an elephant. Narrated in the style of short stories and in three parts, this form helps with the complex threads between the characters from the past and present, as it was difficult to distinguish a timeline of events.
Whale’s magical realism provides an entertaining element, imbuing hidden meaning in even the simplest turns of events. It’s worth noting that the novel includes some themes of a distressing nature, but is a unique and ambitious satirical adventure: definitely one for the curious reader.
Whale, Cheon Myeong-Kwan [trans. Chi-Young Kim] (Europa Editions)
Price: £14.99/£11.99 Ebook. Info: here
words RHIANON HOLLEY
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