Hwang Sok-yong

Familiar Things

낯익은 세상

A vibrant and enchanting novel from one of Korea's most celebrated writers. When 14-year-old Bugeye and his mother arrive at Flower Island -- a vast landfill site on the outskirts of Seoul -- they soon become part of the eclectic community of impoverished outsiders who make their living weeding recyclables from the rubbish. Then, one night, Bugeye notices mysterious lights dancing around the landfill ... Could it be the island's ancient spirits? Is his luck about to change? Familiar Thingsdepicts a society on the edge of dizzying economic and social change. It is a haunting reminder to us all to be careful of what we throw away.

Lila

But despite sounding slow, he seemed to pick up on things pretty fast. Maybe he was deeper than he looked. Being teased and picked on by other kids had a way of deepening a person. 

“Do not forget that every living thing and every object in this world is connected to you.”

There’s a sense of duty after I finished the book, to sit down, looking over all the stuff in my room, and start thinking how should I make them feel appreciated. I know that it’s nearly impossible to value everything you purchased, but it doesn’t hurt to be mindful and careful about them. 

I was taken aback of the unfiltered depiction of the modern society we living today. The insightful look of poverty and underclass struggle. It’s a story of people who dig the trash we been throwing, making money from recyclables, eating what’s been left behind, and the harsher it sounds, the closer it gets to you. 

shuf

“Do not forget that every living thing and every object in this world is connected to you.”

There’s a sense of duty after I finished the book, to sit down, looking over all the stuff in my room, and start thinking how should I make them feel appreciated. I know that it’s nearly impossible to value everything you purchased, but it doesn’t hurt to be mindful and careful about them. 

I was taken aback of the unfiltered depiction of the modern society we living today. The insightful look of poverty and underclass struggle. It’s a story of people who dig the trash we been throwing, making money from recyclables, eating what’s been left behind, and the harsher it sounds, the closer it gets to you. 

Toutes les choses de notre vie

Lauren B

3.5 ⭐ J’ai refermé ce livre en soupirant... comme quand on baisse les bras après avoir perdu tout espoir. Ça n’a pas été une lecture joyeuse ou légère. Hwang nous donne à voir une réalité qui est dure et qui dérange. Quand on fait partie des privilégiés, on a pas envie de se dire que notre style de vie est un luxe et non un droit. Mais c’est le cas. Je pense que ce livre ne peut pas laisser indifférent.

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Familiar Things

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