In the Shade of the Oleander (Bi-lingual Edition Modern Korean Literature, Volume 40)

Asia Publishers presents some of the very best modern Korean literature to readers worldwide through its new Korean literature series . We are proud and happy to offer it in the most authoritative translation by renowned translators of Korean literature. We hope that this series helps to build solid bridges between citizens of the world and Koreans through a rich in-depth understanding of Korea. There was a spoon in her room. It was a spoon she'd brought from home when she married. It was a brass spoon with its edge worn out and thinned like a crescent moon. That spoon was hung on the iron-ring handle of her bedroom door the first night she moved to her new home. Had a hand other than hers ever taken out that spoon? Had someone ever taken it out and tried to take her and other things from her house? Only she could know and remember the answer to that question. Those who had been living with her in Gasi-ri asked who would dare to steal anything from her house? What would they do with something they couldn't steal even if they took it? The oleander knew. Ask the oleander. Ask the hydrangeas. Can anyone steal anyone else's life? And even if they could, what would they do with it? She devoted her life to her life.