Description
The Story of Hong Gildong is arguably the single most important work of classic Korean fiction. Like its English counterpart, Robin Hood, it has been adapted into countless movies, television shows, novels and comics. Its memorable lines are known to virtually every Korean by heart. Until now, this incredible 19th century fable has been all but inaccessible to English readers.
Hong Gildong, the brilliant but illegitimate son of a government minister, cannot advance in society due to his secondary status, so he leaves home to become the leader of a band of outlaws who rob the rich to give to the poor. On the way to building his own empire and gaining acceptance from his family, Hong Gildong vanquishes assassins, battles monsters, and conquers kingdoms. Minsoo Kang's expressive and animated new translation finally makes the original text of this classic available in English, re-introducing a noble and righteous outlaw and sharing a beloved hallmark of Korean culture.
The Story of Hong Gildongis arguably the single most important work of classic Korean fiction. A fantastic story of adventure, it has been adapted into countless movies, television shows, novels, and comics in Korea. Until now, the earliest and fullest text of this incredible fable has been inaccessible to English readers.
About the Author
Minsoo Kang is an associate professor of European history at University of Missouri-St. Louis. He is the author of Sublime Dreams of Living Machines: The Automaton in the European Imagination and co-editor of Visions of the Industrial Age, 1830 - 1914: Modernity and the Anxiety of Representation in Europe.
Reviews
Half fairy tale, half social protest novel, The Story of Hong Gildong is nothing less than the story of modern Korea itself * Washington Post *
Book Information
ISBN 9780143107699
Author Minsoo Kang
Format Paperback
Page Count 128
Imprint Penguin Classics
Publisher Penguin Books Ltd
Weight(grams) 120g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 126mm * 10mm
