Whale: A masterpiece of modern Korean fiction

“A DISTINCTLY KOREAN TAKE ON GREAT EXPECTATIONS.” Financial Times

A woman sells her daughter to a passing beekeeper for two jars of honey. A baby weighing fifteen pounds is born in the depths of winter but named “Girl of Spring”. A storm brings down the roof of a ramshackle restaurant to reveal a hidden fortune. These are just some of the events that set Myeong-Kwan’s beautifully crafted, wild world in motion.

Set in a remote village in South Korea, Whale follows the lives of its linked characters: Geumbok, who has been chasing an indescribable thrill ever since she first saw a whale crest in the ocean; her mute daughter, Chunhui, who communicates with elephants; and a one-eyed woman who controls honeybees with a whistle.

Brimming with surprises and wicked humour, Whale is an adventure-satire of epic proportions, by one of international literature’s the most original voices.

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING

“This is absolutely one of my all-time favourite reads.” KACEY on NETGALLEY

“Finding books like this is why I read books in translation – they open up other worlds for me.” HANNAH on NETGALLEY

“A distinctive and fascinating novel.” PAUL on NETGALLEY

“Fantastic and bizarre.” CHIARA on NETGALLEY

“It makes me want to read more Korean literature.” KATIE on NETGALLEY

“I can’t stop thinking about it.” AFINI on NETGALLEY

“A rich, imaginative, and plot-driven novel.” ISABEL on NETGALLEY

“What a weirdly wonderful book!” DEBORAH on NETGALLEY

Read a sample here