Please Look After Mom

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By Kyung-Sook Shin

Publisher Description

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • WINNER OF THE MAN ASIAN LITERARY PRIZE • When sixty-nine-year-old So-nyo is separated from her husband among the crowds of the Seoul subway station, her family begins a desperate search to find her. Yet as long-held secrets and private sorrows begin to reveal themselves, they are forced to wonder: how well did they actually know the woman they called Mom?

“A terrific novel that stayed with me long after I’d finished its final, haunting pages.” —Abraham Verghese, bestselling author of The Covenant of Water

“A raw tribute to the mysteries of motherhood.” —The New York Times Book Review

Told through the piercing voices and urgent perspectives of a daughter, son, husband, and mother, Please Look After Mom is at once an authentic picture of contemporary life in Korea and a universal story of family love.

“A suspenseful, haunting, achingly lovely novel about the hidden lives, wishes, struggles and dreams of those we think we know best.” —The Seattle Times

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8 Reviews

4.0

Serene

Created 2 days ago

gtxm

Created 10 days ago

Believable charactersCharacters change and growBeautifully writtenDescriptive writingBeautiful settingImmersive settingRealistic settingHeartbreaking

Noemí

Created about 1 month ago

Aastha91

Created 5 months ago

Believable charactersBeautifully writtenEasy to read

Clavis Horti

Created 8 months ago

“In the grand tapestry of life, family is the intricate weaving of threads that shape our existence. At its heart lies the indomitable spirit of a mother, a figure whose influence resonates through generations. What happens when the cornerstone of a family goes missing, leaving behind a void that reverberates through each member's soul? In Please Look After Mom by Kyung-sook Shin, we are not mere spectators, but rather, the narrative takes us inside a world where love, regret, and the quest for identity entwine, creating a tapestry of emotions that will linger in the reader's heart long after the final page is turned. D. A Personal Voyage Engaging with Please Look After Mom was an emotionally stirring journey, one that sparked a profound exploration of my personal relationships, particularly with my mother. It raises a potent question that reverberates through the soul: If a beloved figure were to inexplicably disappear, leaving the unsettling possibility of a permanent absence, what complex emotions would surge within? This contemplation took root, entwining with my thoughts and evoking a surge of deep introspection that stretched to the very core of my being. Please Look After Mom doesn't merely tell a story; it crafts an experience that resonates with breathtaking beauty. The narrative is a poignant tapestry, woven with threads of love, loss, and introspection. It immerses readers in the heart-wrenching tale of an elderly woman, tragically separated from her husband at bustling Seoul station, in the midst of a visit to their children. The perspectives of the eldest daughter, eldest son, father, and mother paint a multifaceted portrait, offering a prism through which to view their collective grief and introspection. At first, the second-person point of view presented a challenge, demanding an adjustment in perspective. Yet, this narrative choice serves as a powerful conduit for empathy, allowing the reader to step into the shoes of each character, experiencing their joys and sorrows intimately. As I delved deeper into the pages, the narrative's resonance grew more profound. Each turn of phrase became a brushstroke, painting emotions in vivid hues. The unfolding events serve as a crucible, compelling family members to reassess the intricacies of their relationships and reexamine the past through their unique vantage points. It prompts the reader to embark on a parallel journey of self-reflection, urging us to consider our own connections with those closest to us. Through its eloquent prose and evocative storytelling, Please Look After Mom transcends the realm of a mere novel. It becomes a mirror, reflecting the complexities of our own relationships and prompting us to contemplate the depths of our feelings for those dearest to us. It is an exploration of love, sacrifice, and the often-unspoken emotions that bind families together. This narrative, with its lyrical grace, not only captivates but transforms, leaving us with a deeper understanding of the profound impact of maternal love and the enduring power of forgiveness. E. Charting the Course In the realm of literary treasures, Please Look After Mom by Kyung-sook Shin emerges as a gem, intricately weaving threads of love, sacrifice, and self-discovery. Through its distinctive narrative lens and the poignant depiction of familial ties, the novel extends an invitation to a deeply personal voyage. Shin's prose is a brushstroke of emotion, painting vivid portraits of each character's struggles, regrets, and moments of revelation. The second-person perspective, initially a challenge, soon reveals itself as a doorway to profound empathy, allowing readers to step into the shoes of each character and experience their joys and sorrows intimately. With every turn of the page, the narrative's resonance deepens. It unfolds like a symphony of emotions, each note striking a chord within the reader. The unfolding events become a crucible, urging family members and readers alike to reevaluate the intricate tapestry of their relationships and to view the past through their unique perspectives. In this, the novel serves as a mirror, compelling us to reflect on our own connections with those dearest to us. In the end, Please Look After Mom is not merely a story; it is an experience, an intimate journey that leaves an indelible mark on the soul. It calls us to ponder the depths of our feelings for those dearest to us and serves as a poignant reminder of the significance of acknowledging and cherishing those who have shaped our lives. In every word, it resonates with a truth that transcends the pages, and it stands as a testament to the timeless power of literature to touch the human heart.”

About Kyung-Sook Shin

KYUNG-SOOK SHIN is the author of numerous works of fiction and is one of South Korea’s most widely read and acclaimed novelists. She was the first woman to be awarded the Man Asian Literary Prize (for Please Look After Mom), and she has also been honored with the Manhae Literature Prize, the Dong-in Literature Prize, and the Yi Sang Literary Prize, as well as France’s Prix de l’Inaperçu. Please Look After Mom is her first book to appear in English. It will be published in twenty-nine countries and has sold over 2 million copies in South Korea alone.