Lemon; Kwon Yeo-sun
Other Press - 10/26/2021
First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - hosted by Yvonne @ Socrates Book Reviews. Each week readers post the first paragraph (or 2) of a book we are reading or plan to read soon.
SHORTS, 2002
I IMAGINE what happened inside the police interrogation room so many years ago. By imagine, I don't mean invent. But it's not like I was actually there, so I don't know what else to call it. I picture the scene from that day, based on what he told me and some other clues, my own experience and conclusions. It's not just this scene I imagine. For over sixteen years, I've pondered, prodded, and worked every detail embroiled in the case known as "The High School Beauty Murder"--to the point I often fool myself into thinking I personally witnessed the circumstances now stamped on my mind's eye. The imagination just as painful as reality. No, it's more painful. After all, what you imagine has no limit or end.
What do you think of that intro? This was a short novella, just 147 pages. It was an excellent translation from the Korean by Janet Kong.
Brief Review: This was a very different kind of story from anything I've read in a while. Each of the eight chapters held me captivated and my mind guessing as I tried to piece together how exactly this 2002 murder of Kim Hae, a high school beauty, would play out. The story takes us back (17) years earlier to a time when there were two male suspects from different social classes but, since there was no concrete evidence the case eventually went cold.
The story is told from (3) POVs: the victim's younger sister and (2) former classmates of the deceased. More than solving the crime itself, this is a story that focuses on how the those impacted by the victim's death have dealt with what has happened. This was a rather quick read that left me thinking; I was happy I had the chance to read it. The book releases today in the US.
Author Bio: Kwon Yeo-sun was born in Andong, South Korea, and now lives in Seoul. In 1996 she received the Sangsang Literary Award for her debut novel, Niche of Green. Her subsequent novels and short stories have received numerous literary awards, including the Hankook Ilbo Literary Award, Yi Sang Literary Prize, and the Oh Yeong-su Literature Award, among others. Lemon is her first novel to be published in English. Janet Hong is a writer and translator based in Vancouver, Canada. She received the 2018 TA First Translation Prize and the 16th LTI Korea Translation Award for her translation of Han Yujoo’s The Impossible Fairy Tale, which was also a finalist for both the 2018 PEN Translation Prize and the 2018 National Translation Award. Her recent translations include Ha Seong-nan’s Bluebeard’s First Wife, Ancco’s Nineteen, and Keum Suk Gendry-Kim’s Grass.
Note: I received a free copy of this book from Other Press in exchange for my unbiased review.
This book sounds like an interesting read based on the different perspectives alongside the crime. Will keep this book in mind.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't sure what to expect but, it was different and I liked the different POVs.
ReplyDeleteThis book was just recommended in the NYT morning update. Sounds intriguing.
ReplyDeleteI saw that! I was happy I got a chance to try this one.
DeleteThe introductory paragraph makes me curious. Even though I rarely read novellas, I am interested in this one.
ReplyDeleteI love a really good novella. Occasionally they leave me wanting more but, most of the time I find them satisfying.
DeleteI am intrigued! The play on what "imagination" means was fascinating. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteImagination and memory are both so fascinating.
DeleteI've been very curious about this book--thanks for highlighting it and sharing your thoughts, Diane.
ReplyDeleteNo problem; I felt it was worth sharing.
DeleteI'm curious... and would certainly pick it up if it appears on my library's shelf. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteYes, I don't think I've read anything translation from Korean before.
DeleteThis sounds like something I would like.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the way the story is told. Not a traditional crime story.
DeleteI have seen this one on other blogs, but opinions are divided. I'm still debating if I should it or not.
ReplyDeleteMine is a historical novel set in France, based on a famous author: https://francebooktours.com/2021/10/26/katherines-wish-first-chapter-first-paragraph-book-beginnings/
It was one of those that should have been a quick read but it also made me want to slow down a bit as well.
DeleteThat's a bit different but it sounds good.
ReplyDeleteDifferent is good sometimes.
DeleteThis really sounds good, and I love the way it's constructed and will slowly come together once the three points-of-view are merged and assimilated.
ReplyDeleteI loved the different POVs but, this is not a typical crime novel.
Deleteifferent, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure it's a book I would have picked up, but the excerpts sound good.
ReplyDeleteI was hesitant to say yes to book offer but, glad I tried it.
DeleteThis sounds almost like a true crime book, but in fiction form. I am glad you liked it.
ReplyDeleteYes, it sounds that way but, not really as with a crime novel we usually get to the bottom of the crime - not here.
DeleteI liked the intro and would really like to read this one. I've read a few books from Other Press and have been impressed.
ReplyDelete