Korean Literature In Translation

[AlbionMoonlight]

Recently picked up a slim collection of contemporary Korean poetry and realized how little of the country's literature I've encountered in translation. During my time in Japan, I found quite a bit going from Korean to Japanese, however, one would be hard pressed in an American bookstore to stumble upon a novel, or even rarer, poetry in translation. I was wondering if there were any boarders (knowing that there are a few living there) who could recommend some Korean literature. My knowledge of Korean history (both political and cultural) is indirect, coming from Japanese and Chinese classes, texts, etc. So I'm curious to learn more.

[kp*]

I am running out the door so just a quick list for you to hit:

The Naked Tree, by Pak Wan-sô (trans. Yu Young-nan). Cornell East Asia Series. This is her first novel, in a good translation. Hopefully more will come as she has published a ton of really great fiction. There is also a collection of short stories by her: My Very Last Possession and Other Stories which i have not read yet.

Words of Farewell: Stories by Korean Women Writers (DEL-Anthologies)

Wayfarer: New Fiction by Korean Women

Peace Under Heaven: Modern Korean Novel by Ch'Ae Man-Sik

Modern Korean Fiction: An Anthology by Bruce Fulton

Land of Exile: Contemporary Korean Fiction (East Gate Books)
(many classics in here, definitely read "Seoul: Winter 1964" and "The last of Hanako")

--
.... i just saw that you also mention poetry so... poetry:

Songs of the Kisaeng : Courtesan Poetry of the Last Korean Dynasty
The Columbia Anthology of Modern Korean Poetry by David McCann

Mixed Poetry & lit. anthologies

Modern Korean Literature: An anthology, Peter Lee

Muae No. 1 by Walter K. Lew (has a *great* folio on Yi Sang)

avoid (not so great translations imo:
Three Poets of Modern Korea: Yi Sang, Hahm Dong-seon, and Choi Young-mi
Korean Poetry Today by Jaihiun J. Kim

I wish i could also recommend some Oh Kyu-won for you. I *LOVE* his poetry, but I don't see any of his stuff in translation. He "sullae" series is gorgeous.

I'll try to chime in more later....

-kevin

[AlbionMoonlight]

Excellent, thank you very much. Appreciate the tips. I'll look into these.