While on maternity leave, I had a chance to re-engage in one of my favorite hobbies, Reading. For so long, I had just sat in front of the computer reading blogs, articles and gossip (not that there is anything wrong with that!) but I found myself aching to delve into a raw, thought provoking story. I was able to pore through many books during my time off, but by far my two favorite books were written by the same author, about the same subject.
Still Life with Rice by Helie Lee is a journey back in time to the era when the Japanese invaded and when Korea was ripped into a divided nation. Lee writes from the perspective of her Halmoni (grandmother) Hongyong Baek. The journy of Halmoni's childhoold to adulthood is simultaneously enjoyable, horrifying, painful and triumphant. i am amazed at the stories spun by Halmoni and even more amazed that she has survived to tell it. She is an incredibly strong and faithful woman and she makes me so proud to be a Korean woman.
In the Absence of Sun is Lee's second book about Halmoni's lifelong wish to be reunited with her first born son. Her son, Yong Woon Lee was left behind in North Korea while the rest of the family made it safely to the south. This time, the story is told from the perspective of Lee herself, who orchestrates a search team to go assist her North Korean relatives defect to freedom. The story is equally painful and triumphant, and I found myself holding back tears as I imagined Halmoni and Lee searching desperately for answers and solutions to their dangerous predicament. She also goes into detail about the horrid conditions of North Korea and through her ordeal, becomes a powerful voice against such treatment of human life.
Both books are filled with such complexity. Lee has a fierce determination that surprised me. I consider myself to be a rather strong and opiniated woman but the lengths to which this woman pushed herself and her family were amazing. I also felt drawm to Lee's struggle to balance her Western life and beliefs with those of traditional Korean expectations.
Reading these books gave me an even more fierce pride towards my culture and my country. I highly recommend these two books.
- Linda
