Prix Medicis Honors Han Kang's Powerful Novel Depicting the 1948 Jeju Massacre

Munhakdongne Publishing

In a significant literary achievement, South Korean author Han Kang clinched the coveted Prix Medicis award for foreign literature on Thursday. The accolade, established in 1958, stands as one of France's premier honors for outstanding works of fiction. Originally focused on French literature, the Prix Medicis expanded its purview in 1970 to include a category specifically for foreign literature in translation. 

▲ Munhakdongne Publishing

Han Kang, no stranger to literary acclaim, had previously been nominated for the Prix Medicis in 2017 with "Greek Lessons." Her latest triumph, "I Do Not Bid Farewell," published in 2021, follows her earlier success in 2016 when she secured the International Booker Prize for "The Vegetarian."

"I Do Not Bid Farewell" unfolds against the backdrop of the tragic 1948 civilian massacre on South Korea's Jeju island. The narrative is skillfully woven through the perspectives of three women, offering a poignant exploration of the events surrounding the April 3, 1948, uprising. During this period, the government, in a distorted response, portrayed the Jeju islanders' resistance against U.S. military-led rule as a communist insurrection. The ensuing brutality resulted in the estimated massacre of 14,000 to 30,000 civilians, a staggering figure that accounted for up to 10 percent of the island's population at that time.

The French edition of Han Kang's acclaimed novel, titled "Impossibles adieux," was released in August, further solidifying the international recognition of her impactful storytelling.

Sayart.net 

Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com