- Overview
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This is the second short story collection by Park Sangyoung, including 4 short serial novels such as Young Writer Award' winning A Piece of Rockfish, the Taste of the Universe, all of which garnered great attention on their release. The stories depict the path of love and separation in a humorous and cheerful way. They are beautiful works, dense and reflective.
- Book Intro
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In Jaehee, a gay male protagonist lives with an alumna named Jaehee. He and Jaehee, who are "unthinkingly in tune," chat about the men they meet and share each other's secrets. The two started to live together when Jaehee is threatened by a stalker. The two share their big 20s events, from Jaehee's pregnancy and abortion, to the death of the narrator's lover and his literary debut. Their eventful youth eventually ends up with Jaehee's marriage.The author depicts the whole process in a humorous and engaging way. And the ending leaves a reader with a strong emotion.
A Piece of Rockfish, the Taste of the Universe is recognized as the best of 4 short stories, quoted as "the longest and most overwhelmingly beautiful work in this collection" (Kang Ji-hee, commentary). "Young," the female narrator, cares for his mother with terminal cancer. One day, she receives a letter from a man who she loved so much for five years. She first met him in a philosophy lecture. But the more she knew him, the more mysterious she felt about him. He still does not forget his past when he was a student activist for democracy. He scolds her for loving America and doubt whether the government is still watching him. He is gay but he does not admit it.
The Love In the Big City and Vacation Late in the Rainy Season are directly connected. The protagonist of the former spends most of his time getting drunk in a club, has a job of selling a play pamphlet but it does not sell at all, write "garbage," and keeps it a secret that he is infected with HIV due to his partner's carelessness. Having a crush on a club bartender, Kyuho, he confesses his love and the two begin dating. Vacation Late in the Rainy Season is the story of the narrator going to Bangkok alone. The story is centered on the speaker's footsteps, recalling the brilliant moments spent with Kyuho in Bangkok. Unlike other novels, it focuses on the emotions of loss and loneliness without laughter. The short confession at the ending leaves a reader with a strong emotion.
- About the Author
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Park Sangyoung
(English) Park Sangyoung started his career as he won Munhakdongne Rookie Award in 2016. He has written a collection of short stories Tears of Unknown Artists and Zaytun Pasta and a series The Love In the Big City. He won the Young Artist Award by Munhakdongne in 2019 for A Piece of Rockfish, the Taste of the Universe.
(Japanese) 2016年、文学ドンネ新人賞に短編小説『パリスヒルトンを探します』が選ばれ、執筆活動を始めた。 連作小説『大都会の愛し方』、散文集『今夜は食べないで寝ないと』、長編小説『1次元になりたい』を執筆し、『大都会の愛し方』で2022ブッカー賞ロングリストに選ばれた。ホ・ギュン文学作家賞、2018年の若手作家賞、2019年の若手作家賞大賞、2021年シン・ドンヨプ文学賞を受賞した。