Please Look After MomBy Kyung-sook Shin
Alfred A. Knopf, 2011. 237 pgs. Fiction
On a train station platform in Seoul Korea, Park So-nyo disappears. Her husband and four children search for her without results for weeks. They run newspaper ads and walk the city’s streets handing out flyers offering a reward for information leading to her recovery. The emotional journey this tragedy forces the family to take is told through the voice of a son, a daughter, a husband, and a mother. Each must deal with a lifetime of regrets built by daily taking those closest to us for granted.
This is a powerfully poignant book perfect for Mother’s Day. It aptly demonstrates the sacrifices so many mothers make as they struggle to raise children, support husbands, and fulfill the myriad of responsibilities and tasks required when keeping a home. Several of the sections of this book are written in 2nd person taking the reader on a strangely personal journey with the character. The last time I read something in that tense it was “Choose Your Own Adventure” story. This book was infinitely better and can easily be recommended to anyone. Perfect for book clubs.
CZ
1 comment:
This is a powerful book, and one that I’m glad I picked up right before Mother’s Day. It makes me want to call my mom and tell her how much I appreciate her and her sacrifices. All the characters felt intense regret for one thing or another as they recalled past moments with their mother. Their treatment of Park So-nyo was, in many cases, quite unkind. Yet, she holds no ill will toward any of them, and instead thinks back on the things she could have done differently for her family.
I agree that the use of 2nd person point-of-view felt a bit different, but also gave it a very personal feel, one that I think worked well. Overall, this was a very moving book and is one that I would easily recommend.
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