Beasts of a Little Land
The International Bestseller
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Oneworld Publications
Published:3rd Feb '22
Should be back in stock very soon
This hardback is available in another edition too:
- Paperback£9.99(9780861544424)
Set against the Korean independence movement, Beasts of a Little Land tells the story of two children whose lives are forever intertwined by love and war.
In Beasts of a Little Land, the Korean independence movement serves as a backdrop to a poignant tale of love and resilience. Set in 1917, the story begins with ten-year-old Jade, who is sold by her desperate family to a courtesan school in Pyongyang due to the looming threat of famine. As the Japanese occupation intensifies, Jade is forced to flee to Seoul, where she encounters JungHo, an orphan whose life is about to intertwine with hers in ways they cannot yet foresee.
Their chance meeting blossoms into a profound friendship, but as JungHo becomes embroiled in the revolutionary fight for Korea's independence, Jade faces a heart-wrenching decision. Torn between her own ambitions and her love for JungHo, she must navigate the complexities of loyalty and sacrifice amidst the chaos of war. The narrative sweeps through five decades of Korean history, capturing the struggles and triumphs of its characters as they strive to hold onto their dreams in the face of adversity.
Juhea Kim's Beasts of a Little Land is a beautifully crafted debut that explores the themes of love, loss, and the enduring spirit of hope. With richly drawn characters and a vivid historical setting, the novel invites readers to witness the profound impact of fate and the bonds that can withstand the test of time.
'Beasts of a Little Land is a stunning achievement. Juhea Kim wrestles with the chaos of a half-century of love, idealism, war and violence, and does so with courage and wisdom.' TLS
'Full of Korean myth and historical detail, it’s an immersive read for a long weekend.' Stylist
'This is historical fiction at its very best! I am astonished by Juhea's talent.' Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, internationally bestselling author of The Mountains Sing
'Stunning... Profound... This novel will devastate you and then still you with its wise meditations on love and loss. I couldn’t put it down.' Alexis Schaitkin, author of Saint X
'Beasts of a Little Land is a heartbreaking story rendered mythic by Kim’s gorgeous prose.' Jing-Jing Lee, author of How We Disappeared
'A magnificent, mesmerizing story of love and war… Cinematic in its scope, this is the type of novel that the reader finishes both with pleasure (for its satisfying denouement and pleasing circularity) and with sadness (at having to leave the story behind).' New Internationalist
'Some people say that all stories are about either love or war. Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century Korea, Kim’s epic debut novel is about both.' Harper's Bazaar US, 'Best Books of 2021'
'Gorgeous prose and unforgettable characters combine to make a literary masterpiece.' Kirkus, (starred review)
'Kim's dreamy, intense debut is both a sure-footed historical account of the Korean struggle for independence from Japan and the emotionally fraught story of several people whose lives are inextricably tied together... The prose is ravishing.' Publishers Weekly
'An immersive historical novel set in occupied Korea with a sweeping cast of characters whose lives intersect over half a century.' Lit Hub, 'Most Anticipated Books of 2021'
'This epic historical novel offers an entrancing glimpse into a colourful world of love and conflict.' Daily Mail, 'Must Reads'
- Long-listed for HWA Debut Crown Award 2022
- Long-listed for Yasnaya Polyana Prize 2024
ISBN: 9780861543229
Dimensions: 234mm x 153mm x 35mm
Weight: unknown
416 pages