The English translation of Shin Kyung-sook’s sixth novel, “Please Look After Mom (translation by Kim Chi-Young)” was first published in Korean in 2008, and became a major hit in its home country. A heartrending story of an ordinary family searching their missing mother, Shin weaves together different perspectives to create a unique and moving story.
Shin’s U.S. publisher, Knopf, decided on an almost unprecedented first run of 100,000 copies, which is rare for a translated work. A second edition had to be quickly ordered ahead of the official release. “Please Look After Mom” has garnered rave reviews from critics at a number of influential media outlets, including Library Journal and Publishers Weekly.
Korean author Shin Kyung-sook’s novel “Please Look After Mom” in Korean (left) and English (right) (Photo courtesy of Changbi Publishers and Amazon.com)
The book was selected for “Amazon Best Books of the Month” in April and chosen by Oprah’s Book Club. Barnes & Noble, the largest book retailer in the United States, selected it for their summer “Discover New Great Writers” program.
In conjunction with its official release, the New York Times covered “Please Look After Mom” twice; once in a March 30 book review and again on April 1. Reviewer Mythili Rao praised the novel as a raw tribute to the mysteries of motherhood, while Janet Maslin gave the book favorable notice, writing has Shin had “turned the book’s title, which initially sounded like an order, into something much more powerful: a prayer.”
On April 5, the Korean Cultural Service in New York hosted a reception for Shin to celebrate the release of the English translation at the Korean Consulate General in New York.
Nearly 200 people attended the event, including Knopf’s Vice President, Robin Desser; New York Times book reviewer, Mythili G. Rao; President of the Korea Society, Mark Minton; and New York Consulate General of Korea, Kim Young-mok.
Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon also sent a congratulatory message to Shin, saying he hoped that the book will give solace to all the mothers of the world and inspire many fathers, daughters and sons to rethink their family relationships.
The director of Korea Cultural Service New York, Lee Woo-sung, said that it has not been easy for Korean novels to find publishers overseas due to insignificant presence and low demand for translated publications. Lee said he hoped to help support and introduce Korean literature overseas, following the success of the English translation of “Please Look After Mom.”
The author said at the reception that she was surprised to hear virtually the same comments from readers in the States as from the Korean audience and publishers a few years ago, expressing amazement of people’s “universal feelings and existential values.” She said she hoped that her success will lead to more Korean books on the international literary scene. She mentioned the help given by the Korea Literature Translation Institute and other related organizations, saying that their work has begun to pay off.
Meanwhile, translation rights for to the book have been sold in 24 countries throughout North America, Europe and Asia, including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Norway, Israel and Japan.
Author Shin Kyung-sook meets with readers at the Korean Consulate General in New York on April 5. (Photo courtesy of Korean Cultural Service New York)
Link:http://www.korea.net/news.do?mode=detail&guid=54370
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