I Went To See My Father
I Went To See My Father is a quiet, deeply moving novel about Hon, who returns to her Korean countryside childhood home after losing her own daughter. A family tale threaded through moments of history, it speaks to readers who crave intimate character portraits, emotional truth, and a strong sense of place. The tone is contemplative, comforting, and hopeful, inviting you to witness a daughter’s attempt to understand her father—and, in doing so, to understand herself.
Written with patient, clear warmth, the book unfolds largely through a chest of letters and conversations with family and friends that reveal a life full of complexity and quiet courage. Flawlessly rendered by award-winning translator Anton Hur, Kyung-Sook Shin crafts a luminous portrait that moves between Hon’s present care for her father and the past he endured during the Korean War, the violence of the 19th April Revolution, a love affair, and the devotion that shaped their family. The storytelling blends personal memory with national history, delivering a narrative that feels both intimate and expansive, paced to invite reflection rather than rush the heart.
As Hon pieces together the secrets of her father’s life, the bond between father and daughter deepens and readers are drawn into a larger meditation on humanity—the kindness that endures, the traumas that haunt, and the ways love can bridge even the widest gaps. The prose is lyrical without being pastry-sweet, offering a dialogue between memory and truth that remains accessible and profoundly moving.
- In-depth exploration of a father’s life through letters and intimate conversations
- Historical backdrop including the Korean War and the 19th April Revolution
- Reflective, character-driven storytelling with a strong focus on family, memory, and resilience
- Elegant, accessible writing brought to life by Anton Hur’s translation
After finishing I Went To See My Father, readers carry a deeper appreciation for the quiet strength behind ordinary lives and the delicate work of understanding the people we love. It leaves you with a sense of connection, empathy, and a renewed curiosity about the hidden depths within the people closest to you.
Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
I Went To See My Father
I Went To See My Father
I Went To See My Father is a quiet, deeply moving novel about Hon, who returns to her Korean countryside childhood home after losing her own daughter. A family tale threaded through moments of history, it speaks to readers who crave intimate character portraits, emotional truth, and a strong sense of place. The tone is contemplative, comforting, and hopeful, inviting you to witness a daughter’s attempt to understand her father—and, in doing so, to understand herself.
Written with patient, clear warmth, the book unfolds largely through a chest of letters and conversations with family and friends that reveal a life full of complexity and quiet courage. Flawlessly rendered by award-winning translator Anton Hur, Kyung-Sook Shin crafts a luminous portrait that moves between Hon’s present care for her father and the past he endured during the Korean War, the violence of the 19th April Revolution, a love affair, and the devotion that shaped their family. The storytelling blends personal memory with national history, delivering a narrative that feels both intimate and expansive, paced to invite reflection rather than rush the heart.
As Hon pieces together the secrets of her father’s life, the bond between father and daughter deepens and readers are drawn into a larger meditation on humanity—the kindness that endures, the traumas that haunt, and the ways love can bridge even the widest gaps. The prose is lyrical without being pastry-sweet, offering a dialogue between memory and truth that remains accessible and profoundly moving.
- In-depth exploration of a father’s life through letters and intimate conversations
- Historical backdrop including the Korean War and the 19th April Revolution
- Reflective, character-driven storytelling with a strong focus on family, memory, and resilience
- Elegant, accessible writing brought to life by Anton Hur’s translation
After finishing I Went To See My Father, readers carry a deeper appreciation for the quiet strength behind ordinary lives and the delicate work of understanding the people we love. It leaves you with a sense of connection, empathy, and a renewed curiosity about the hidden depths within the people closest to you.
Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Description
I Went To See My Father is a quiet, deeply moving novel about Hon, who returns to her Korean countryside childhood home after losing her own daughter. A family tale threaded through moments of history, it speaks to readers who crave intimate character portraits, emotional truth, and a strong sense of place. The tone is contemplative, comforting, and hopeful, inviting you to witness a daughter’s attempt to understand her father—and, in doing so, to understand herself.
Written with patient, clear warmth, the book unfolds largely through a chest of letters and conversations with family and friends that reveal a life full of complexity and quiet courage. Flawlessly rendered by award-winning translator Anton Hur, Kyung-Sook Shin crafts a luminous portrait that moves between Hon’s present care for her father and the past he endured during the Korean War, the violence of the 19th April Revolution, a love affair, and the devotion that shaped their family. The storytelling blends personal memory with national history, delivering a narrative that feels both intimate and expansive, paced to invite reflection rather than rush the heart.
As Hon pieces together the secrets of her father’s life, the bond between father and daughter deepens and readers are drawn into a larger meditation on humanity—the kindness that endures, the traumas that haunt, and the ways love can bridge even the widest gaps. The prose is lyrical without being pastry-sweet, offering a dialogue between memory and truth that remains accessible and profoundly moving.
- In-depth exploration of a father’s life through letters and intimate conversations
- Historical backdrop including the Korean War and the 19th April Revolution
- Reflective, character-driven storytelling with a strong focus on family, memory, and resilience
- Elegant, accessible writing brought to life by Anton Hur’s translation
After finishing I Went To See My Father, readers carry a deeper appreciation for the quiet strength behind ordinary lives and the delicate work of understanding the people we love. It leaves you with a sense of connection, empathy, and a renewed curiosity about the hidden depths within the people closest to you.
