Familiar Things by Hwang Sok-Yong (translated from the Korean original)
This is a work of fiction although the conditions do exist in the world. A thirteen year old boy's father has been taken away to be "re-educated" by the South Korean government. Bugeye, as he is known on the streets, and his mother sink from poverty into extreme poverty. In order to survive, they end up on Flower Island, a make shift community of tiny shacks around a huge landfill where the people spend their days sifting through garbage to forage what ever they can find to eat or wear or sell. Dirty and dangerous work.
They have to pay a fee in order to be licensed to do this recycling work.
The refuse sifters are not the only beings on the island. There are those, mostly unseen, who remember the island's history.
It has so much potential to be a bleak and depressing story and yet there is so much humanity and a bright spirit that shines through. I really loved it.
Always looking for new books to read. Thanks for the book choice.
ReplyDeleteI am waiting for my Michelle O book to arrive.
Not sure I can handle a story like in these times. Maybe in the furture.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, sounds interesting. It's going on my list. Have you read "Pachinko" by Min Jin Lee? A good read focusing on Koreans in Japan.
ReplyDeleteI was just going to suggest that- I liked it so much I finished reading Pachinko in 2 days! Now I'm reading Varina by the author of Cold Mountain.
DeleteIt sounds horribly depressing but I will take your word that it is not so. Will see if I can find it. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThat might be a good book to read.
ReplyDelete