Acclaimed Novel Shines in Prestigious Prix Femina and Prix Medicis Shortlists

Munhakdongne Publishing

Han Kang, the renowned South Korean author, has received recognition for her latest novel, "I Do Not Bid Farewell," with its inclusion on the shortlists of two esteemed literary awards in France. The book, skillfully translated into French by Kyungran Choi and Pierre Bisiou, has been shortlisted for the Prix Femina for foreign literature on October 24 and the Prix Medicis for foreign literature on October 18, as confirmed by Munhakdongne Publishing, the book's Korean publisher.

Published in France by Grasset, a leading French publishing house, in August under the title "Impossibles Adieux" (meaning "impossible farewells"), the novel's fate will be decided soon. The winners of the Prix Femina are set to be announced on November 6, with the Prix Medicis award recipients to be unveiled on November 9. 

▲ Han Kang (Munhakdongne Publishing)

The Prix Femina and Prix Medicis are among the most prestigious literary awards in France, alongside the Goncourt and Renaudot awards. Established in 1985, the Prix Femina has previously recognized works by South Korean authors Lee Seung-u in 2000 and Hwang Sok-yong in 2004 and 2010.

This marks Han Kang's second nomination for the Prix Medicis, established in 1970, following her previous nomination for "Greek Lessons" in 2017. Han Kang is celebrated for her literary achievements, including winning the International Booker Prize in the UK in 2016.

"I Do Not Bid Farewell" is her literary return after five years and explores the tragic events of the "Jeju April 3 Incident" from the perspectives of three women. The Jeju April 3 Incident, also known as the Jeju Uprising, took place on April 3, 1948, and involved armed rebels who resisted the oppression of the police, right-wing youth associations, and the government, while promoting reunification, independence, and an anti-American, save-the-nation movement. 

▲ Munhakdongne Publishing, Grasset

This uprising was met with significant force and largely suppressed about a year later, with information about it heavily censored for decades. The bloodshed continued beyond the Korean War until September 21, 1954, resulting in the deaths of approximately 300,000 civilians, roughly 10 percent of the island's total population.

Han Kang's "I Do Not Bid Farewell" is described as "a story of profound love, a candle lit in the abyss of human nature, or the history of the Jeju massacre." Her previous works, including "The Vegetarian," have garnered international acclaim, with awards such as the International Booker Prize in 2016 and recognition in Italy and Spain. "The White Book" was also a finalist for the International Booker Prize in 2018.

Sayart.net 

Joy, nunimbos@gmail.com