Name: Brynn Sklar's review of The Prince of Mournful Thoughts and Other Stories by Caroline Kim
Item: The Prince of Mournful Thoughts and Other Stories
Rating: 3
Author: Brynn Sklar

Caroline Kim

Winner of the 2020 Drue Heinz Literature Prize Exploring what it means to be human through the Korean diaspora, Caroline Kim's stories feature many voices. From a teenage girl in 1980's America, to a boy growing up in the middle of the Korean War, to an immigrant father struggling to be closer to his adult daughter, or to a suburban housewife whose equilibrium depends upon a therapy robot, each character must face their less-than-ideal circumstances and find a way to overcome them without losing themselves. Language often acts as a barrier as characters try, fail, and momentarily succeed in connecting with each other. With humor, insight, and curiosity, Kim's wide-ranging stories explore themes of culture, communication, travel, and family. Ultimately, what unites these characters across time and distance is their longing for human connection and a search for the place--or people--that will feel like home.

The Prince of Mournful Thoughts and Other Stories

Minh Ngo

It's a mixed bag of wonderful and weird stories. Some were entirely relatable, others would be catch my eye more if I were Korean or Korean-American. If you are, l'd highly recommend reading this.

Minh Ngo &
The Prince of Mournful Thoughts and Other Stories by Caroline Kim

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Minh Ngo &The Prince of Mournful Thoughts and Other Stories by Caroline Kim

Reviews

Join the club

Minh Ngo &
The Prince of Mournful Thoughts and Other Stories by Caroline Kim