The White Book by Han Kang 흰 . A story of whiteness that remains untouched and untouchable. From Han Kang, the first Korean recipient of the Man Booker International Prize, comes The White Book, a novel that transcends the boundaries of life and death. Shortlisted for the 2018 Man Booker International Prize, this work was first conceived during the winter of 2013, with its initial manuscript completed in 2014. After countless revisions and delicate refinements, the book was first published in May 2016. Its 65 interwoven stories read as both a novel and a poetic anthology. Life Pattern Korea. Through a meticulous exploration of white objects—swaddling bands, baby clothes, sugar cubes, breath, the moon, rice, waves, white paper, white hair, burial shrouds—Han Kang unravels a narrative centered on “I,” “She,” and “All That is White.” These stories, while individually complete, collectively form a deeply layered and resonant tapestry. Life Pattern Korea. The narrator reveals a haunting family history: her mother once bore and lost a child—a sister who lived only two hours. In a faraway city steeped in history, these memories resurface, becoming an ever-present thread. The narrative shifts from “I” to “She,” as the narrator envisions her sister navigating this distant place on her behalf, uncovering the significance of all things white. Life Pattern Korea. Han Kang describes this book as entirely her own voice. Within its pages, readers encounter a panoramic reflection of her literary vision. The single character of “white” branches into myriad forms, revealing expansive and profound storytelling. To accompany the book’s original release, Han Kang performed a contemplative piece, reenacting silent rituals for her lost sister. This performance, captured on film by artist Choi Jin-hyuk, beautifully complements the text. Life Pattern Korea. In 2018, The White Book was reissued in a new edition, embodying its delicate themes and offering a renewed opportunity for readers to immerse themselves in Han Kang’s unparalleled exploration of memory, grief, and transcendence. . Author: 한강 Han Kang, 최진혁 Publisher: 문학동네 Munhakdongne (2018) . ! This book introduction is translated by machine translators and may contain mistranslations. For exact information, please refer to the publisher’s official introduction. ! There are ink marks of us and publishers/distributors on the top edge or bottom edge of all the books we sell. This is to check the authenticity of the book and track its distribution path. This is common for Korean bookstores. ! The cover of the book can be changed without notice.
