Novel reveals hidden family history

A novel titled What My Mother Left Behind tells the story of Susan Davis, known as Young-suk in Korea, through the eyes of her daughter Jade. After her mother's death, Jade finds an old photograph of a young woman with an unknown man, leading her to uncover a family past she believed she understood.

Narrative spans decades and locations

The story alternates between Jade's life in 2019 and Young-suk's experiences in 1970s Korea. This dual timeline allows readers to explore the contrast between the present and the past, as well as the emotional journey of both women.

Young-suk's struggles as a yanggongju

Young-suk's narrative reveals the harsh realities faced by yanggongju, women living near American military bases in South Korea during the 1970s. These women often endured forced prostitution, financial debt, and social stigma, highlighting the systemic challenges they faced.

Themes of oppression and resilience

The novel delves into historical oppression and the resilience of women through shared experiences, literature, and small acts of resistance. It offers a powerful commentary on the strength required to survive and thrive under difficult circumstances.

Publication details and other works

Translated from Korean by Yeong-Hee Lim, What My Mother Left Behind is published by Editions de l’Aube and contains 304 pages. Other recent literary works include A Kingdom, Demons and a Heroine Who Wants to Be Finally Free, Nantes Calling, and Demba, which explores the history of the Amazons of Dahomey.

Unsolved mystery in another novel

The Square Affair investigates an unsolved murder from 1995 and its connection to a disappearance thirty years later, adding another layer to the recent literary landscape with its focus on unresolved historical events.