Do read Han Kang! Where to start with the new Nobel prizewinner's books in English translation

I love Han Kang for her intense, poetic writing so I was thrilled when she was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize for Literature. Here are my thoughts on the four of her books currently available in English:
The Vegetarian 2007, translation by Deborah Smith 2015
Greek Lessons 2011, translation by Deborah Smith and Emily Yae Won 2023
Human Acts 2014, translation by Deborah Smith 2016
The White Book 2016, translation by Deborah Smith 2027
I hope this will encourage you to try one if you haven't read Han as yet.
A fifth is due out early next year: We Do Not Part translated by E.Yaewon and Paige Aniyah Morris. Katja ‪@PageTurnersWithKatja‬ and I have chosen it as our March book for our translated and global fiction readalong #ReadingTheGlobeFiction2025 so do join us for that. Find out more:
• Reading the Globe in 2...
• Join the Reading the G...
By a happy coincidence ‪@JentheLibrarianreads‬ has made a video about reading Han Kang that also appeared today do check that out too for her insightful thoughts • My Han Kang Reading Week
Thank you Ian for being my Han Kang buddyreading partner and adding so much to my grasp of her books.

[@tillysshelf]

I remember you talking about The Vegetarian when you first read it. Great that she won the prize and will be better recognised.

[@scallydandlingaboutthebooks]

@@tillysshelf she's an exciting author.

[@barbaralin3053]

You’ve done a fantastic job introducing Han Kang’s novels. Now I realize I tend to avoid pessimistic novels without a glimmer of hope. The themes you mentioned-patriarchal oppression, healing, national wounds, and reconciliation-are thought-provoking. I’m particularly interested in Greek Lessons. It seems like the perfect remedy for a stagnant life, offering a fresh start through language learning. I began Japanese lessons in September, a popular language choice in Taiwan. I feel a similar connection to Greek Lessons, where a new language can spark a new way of thinking.

[@scallydandlingaboutthebooks]

@@barbaralin3053 none of them are warm and optimistic exactly but there is a heart to them.

[@AbiofPellinor]

Okay but I'm most impressed with you filming and uploading a video in one day! It takes me forever 🤣 only the 18th woman, and the 1st Asian woman is so sad but I'm so glad that they're finally diversifying further

[@scallydandlingaboutthebooks]

@@AbiofPellinor I can only do it because I don't edit!

[@JentheLibrarianreads]

How wonderful, we've accidentally filmed very similar videos this week 🥰 I've read three Han Kang novels this week (the video should be online tonight) and had a great reading experience. Really great listening to your thoughts on all the books here.

[@scallydandlingaboutthebooks]

@@JentheLibrarianreads how lovely. I'll add a link to your video to the description here.

[@TheQuietMidden]

Lovely and thoughtful video on one of my fave authors, Ros. As you say, her books are all different, and each is moving and powerful in their own ways. For me, her unconventional poetic writing combined with her empathy is what draws me in. I hope we get all her books in translation. Granta online has a short story of hers: "The Fruit of My Woman". It's a precursor to The Vegetarian and would be a great way for new readers of her work to get a taste.

[@scallydandlingaboutthebooks]

@@TheQuietMidden I might have guessed she'd be a favourite of yours too! Yes unconventional poetic writing and combined with empathy hits the nail on the head.

[@Ali-AvidReader]

Thank you for introducing me to Han Kang, I am really looking forward to reading We Do Not Part in March!

[@scallydandlingaboutthebooks]

@@Ali-AvidReader brilliant you are joining us for that one.

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

I thoroughly enjoyed this, watched it last night and finally have time to respond. I definitely have to pick up Human Acts, I've only read (and loved) Greek Lessons and The White Book, and I'm so looking forward to our readalong of We Do Not Part next year x

[@scallydandlingaboutthebooks]

@@PageTurnersWithKatja Human Acts is very powerful.

[@RaynorReadsStuff]

This was fabulous Ros. I’ve never read any of her works and now I really want to 😊. Hugely informative

[@scallydandlingaboutthebooks]

@@RaynorReadsStuff she's an interesting writer. Worth a try for sure Debs.

[@yvawoo]

I read three of her books in Korean. Most recent one as Greek Lesson. She uses the shape of Korean letters as topic in some chapters and also does lots of wordplay. I am now so eager to read that in English to see how it was translated to deliver the subtleties effectively. I can't imagine how hard it is to translators foreign language to English.

[@scallydandlingaboutthebooks]

@@yvawoo that is fascinating. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts if you do read the English edition.

[@AmalijaKomar]

Vegetarian is a masterpiece. This book was translated into my language in 2016. The editor was brilliant, but the main reason was probably The Booker Prize she won. Kang will be a vintage classic.

[@scallydandlingaboutthebooks]

@@AmalijaKomar I agree. I feel her work will endure.

[@books_and_bocadillos]

Hi Ros 👋🏽. I loved this video. I only have Human Acts on my shelves and Ive been meaning to start there with Han Kang's works.

[@scallydandlingaboutthebooks]

@@books_and_bocadillos I think it is a good place to start as long as you are aware it has some rather distressing elements.

[@books_and_bocadillos]

@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711 thank you for the caveat. I think that is why I haven't read it yet, but now I'm at a point where I just want to jump into her work...and the gritttier more disturbing work is feeling more appealing.

[@scallydandlingaboutthebooks]

@@books_and_bocadillos she is never gratuitous in depicting violence.

[@59cubanita]

Loved this. I think I will read Human Acts soon, that one i have at home.

[@scallydandlingaboutthebooks]

@@59cubanita I think you will enjoy Human Acts. Well "enjoy" might be the wrong word but you know what I mean.

[@BookishTexan]

I have admired both the Han Kang books I have read, Human Acts slightly more than The Vegetarian. I think I will try The White Book next.

[@scallydandlingaboutthebooks]

@@BookishTexan I think The White Book will work for you. It helps going into it not expecting a traditional novel. Human Acts was devastating but brilliant. I think it is my favourite so far.

[@BookishTexan]

@@scallydandlingaboutthebooks Thanks Roz.

[@ianp9086]

That was a great summary Ros and I am looking forward to the next March!

[@scallydandlingaboutthebooks]

@@ianp9086 me too 😀

[@katiesikkes1527]

I had read two of her books before the Nobel win and two since her win. My favourite was Human Acts because it was very political and told of ordinary activist lives, and what that cost them. I should probably reread The Vegetarian as I read it years ago! However it was so well done I thought I remembered so much of the book, but I guess not because the part with the brother in law you mentioned was a surprise.

[@scallydandlingaboutthebooks]

I think Human Acts may be my favourite. The White Book is so different though.

[@jamesholder13]

I've been thinking about trying Han Kang's work.

[@scallydandlingaboutthebooks]

@@jamesholder13 obviously I'm going to say you should!

[@erinh7450]

I've read three of her books so far, The Vegetarian, The White Book, and Greek Lessons. I'm an outlier in that my favorite is definitely Greek Lessons - but I am a language geek, so maybe it's because themes resonated with me. The White Book was reflective, but didn't stick with me, and The Vegetarian was good but I'm not a huge fan of body horror. I do hope to get to Human Acts someday... Looking forward to reading the new one with the world lit group!

[@scallydandlingaboutthebooks]

@@erinh7450 I loved Greek Lessons too but I understand why it didn't work so well for some people.

[@ariannefowler455]

I have not read Han Kang. I am curious to check some out. I'm not sure The Vegetarian is for me, but the others sound more like something I'd like to try.

[@scallydandlingaboutthebooks]

@@ariannefowler455 they are all short so not a big commitment to try.