- Overview
-
This book is an honest record of an ordinary grandmother of this era who leaves her family to stand on her own two feet and live as "a woman, Kim Myungja," not as a "wife and mother."
- Book Intro
-
The declaration of independence by a confident woman who is no longer anyone's wife, the mother of the family, and the grandmother taking care of her grand son!
Kim Myungja is an old lady who, in her seventies, has decided to stand on her own two feet. Kim declares her independence to her son's family, with whom she has been living for about 20 years, and gets a small room of her own. She is currently living a second life. Writing and learning enrich her new life. She was diagnosed with terminal colorectal cancer at the age of 38. At the time, she fought desperately against both her disease and the institution of marriage. There was a short period of time where she lived again with her ex-husband. She was happy, but he passed away after a short while. Hurray for Grandma's Independence!: Every Step is As Beautiful As a Flower consists of stories about the days when she was young (based on the diary she wrote when she was sick) and about her life now as a confident woman. This autobiographical essay is all about her life, and readers will struggle to hold back their tears while reading it.
Kim Myungja wrote in her diary everyday at a small desk in her house or at the local library. It has been said that the meaning of writing lies in the activity of writing itself, not in what one is supposed to produce by the activity. This is why she is always happy. She hopes she can give the courage to others to become independent or start writing.
There are four chapters in this book. The first chapter, "My Second Life," begins with her marriage. Using Kim's old diaries and letters, it shows her life full of twists and turns. It was a tough life, but also similar to the life lived by all mothers and grandmothers in Korea. As the story unfolds fast, readers will not be able to put the book down once they start reading it. Each chapter arouses curiosity about the next one.
The second chapter, "Maengja, Maengja," tells a story about Kim's home village, where she didn't have electricity in her house before she got married. The records of her first life are full of regrets and longing, just like the almost faded color of balsam flowers on nails.
The third chapter, "Hurray for Grandma's Independence," begins with "The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared." Through the records of her daily life, it shows the process of Kim becoming independent and settling down in an unfamiliar neighborhood alone, as well as some essential elements of an independent life such as learning, having fun, friends, religion, nature, and self-reliance.
The last chapter, "I Love You," is Kim's writing about the here and now. It shows her hope for a beautiful life even as she gets older. "My Bucket List," at the end of the book, allows readers to see her passion and dreams at a glance.
- About the Author
-
Kim Myungja
Kim Myungja (F) was born in 1943 in Boseong, South Jeolla Province, where she grew up. She spent her childhood as a sentimental girl who was excited by the sounds of the wind and the leaves rustling. She left her hometown when she got married at 23. She gave birth to three children (one boy, two girls) and lived an ordinary life until she was diagnosed with cancer at 38. She won her battle against cancer, but her husband passed away when she was 46.
After that, Kim lived with her son's family until she declared her independence at the age of 76 and began to live her second life. Kim currently lives in a small room and focuses on writing.
- Selection
-
Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea (KPIPA), Good Publication Contents
Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea (KPIPA), Selected for the Audio book Production Support
