WINNER OF THE NOBEL PRIZE IN LITERATURE 2024Like a long winter’s dream, this haunting and visionary new novel from 2024 Nobel Prize winner Han Kang takes us on a journey from contemporary South Korea into its painful history‘One of the most profound and skilled writers working on the contemporary world stage’ Deborah LevyBeginning one morning in December, We Do Not Part traces the path of Kyungha as she travels from the city of Seoul into the forests of Jeju Island, to the home of her old friend Inseon. Hospitalized following an accident, Inseon has begged Kyungha to hasten there to feed her beloved pet bird, who will otherwise die. Kyungha takes the first plane to Jeju, but a snowstorm hits the island the moment she arrives, plunging her into a world of white.
Beset by icy wind and snow squalls, she wonders if she will arrive in time to save the bird – or even survive the terrible cold which envelops her with every step. As night falls, she struggles her way to Inseon’s house, unaware as yet of the descent into darkness which awaits her. There, the long-buried story of Inseon’s family surges into light, in dreams and memories passed from mother to daughter, and in a painstakingly assembled archive documenting a terrible massacre on the island seventy years before.
We Do Not Part is a hymn to friendship, a eulogy to the imagination and above all an indictment against forgetting. Translated by e. yaewon and Paige Aniyah Morris‘A vital voice and a writer of extraordinary humanity.
Her work is a gift to us all’ Max Porter‘A remarkable novelist who reflects our modern condition with courage, imagination, and keen intelligence’ Min Jin Lee
Han Kang
Han Kang (born November 27, 1970) is a celebrated South Korean author known for her evocative and thought-provoking novels. She grew up in Gwangju before moving to Seoul, where she studied Korean literature at Yonsei University. Han debuted as a writer in the 1990s and gained international recognition for her novel The Vegetarian, which won the 2016 Man Booker International Prize. Her works often explore themes of human suffering, identity, and the impact of historical trauma, as seen in Human Acts and other acclaimed novels. In addition to her literary achievements, Han is also a poet and teacher, sharing her craft with aspiring writers. Her works have been translated into multiple languages, resonating with readers around the globe.
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A Raw and Emotional Journey Through Love and Loss
We Do Not Part is a deeply emotional and thought-provoking read. The characters feel real, and their struggles with love, loss, and resilience hit close to home. The writing is raw and heartfelt, though the pacing is slow—perfect if you’re in the mood to really sit with the story, but it might not be for everyone. What I loved most was how honest it felt. It doesn’t sugarcoat life or relationships, and that’s what makes it so impactful. The ending left me wanting a bit more closure, but maybe that’s the point—life isn’t always tidy. If you’re into books that make you feel deeply, this one’s worth picking up. Just keep some tissues handy.
By Christian F. - 21 Feb 2025A Raw and Emotional Journey Through Love and Loss
We Do Not Part is a deeply emotional and thought-provoking read. The characters feel real, and their struggles with love, loss, and resilience hit close to home. The writing is raw and heartfelt, though the pacing is slow—perfect if you’re in the mood to really sit with the story, but it might not be for everyone. What I loved most was how honest it felt. It doesn’t sugarcoat life or relationships, and that’s what makes it so impactful. The ending left me wanting a bit more closure, but maybe that’s the point—life isn’t always tidy. If you’re into books that make you feel deeply, this one’s worth picking up. Just keep some tissues handy.
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