Peace Under Heaven: Modern Korean Novel

Rating:
Summary: A Korean Satire With Universal Impact
Review: Chae Man-sik's Peace Under Heaven is a satire worthy of global attention. The story, which takes place in the short span of a few days, with occasional flashbacks, is claustrophobic. Most of the story occurs within the close confines of Korean houses, and efficiently illustrates the relationships in a yang ban family during the Japanese Occupation. Even in translation, the dialogue conveys the characters' materialistic greed, sensual decadence, and petty antagonisms. It's critical edge is directed at Koreans, not the Japanese.

The main character, Toad Yun, is an elderly, stingy, profane, lecherous landowner, who resides in the capital, far removed from his property. However, within the confines of his houses are numerous servants, daughters-in-law, grandsons, and concubines, all of whose machinations make the story profoundly hilarious. The main character should be loathsome, but the creatures around him and his past experiences make him believably human and pathetic. He is no better than his ..., indebted offspring and conniving servants and daughters-in-law, but the author manages to make the reader feel sorrier for him. There is a universal concern for inter-generational conflict and misunderstanding.

The narrative also has strong cultural and historical tones, mostly critical. The Yun family is presented as a mockery of traditional Confucian virtues and nearly traitorous. It depicts a period in Korean history little understood by non-Koreans. The translation, aided by a glossary of Korean terms, catches the spirit of the language, but is still a little too sanitized. The author treads a thin line between propriety and realism. This is more than a historical novel, and it is not necessary to know Korean history to appreciate it.

Rating:
Summary: Superb insight into Korean lifestyle.
Review: Peace Under Heaven, by Ch'ae Man-Sik, is one of the most informative books in history to shed light on the lifestyle of Koreans under Japanese colonial rule. The story follows the trials and tribulations of Master Yun, a Korean rice dealer, whose role in society is influenced by these Japanese rulers. The book also gives creative insight into the roles of women in society, as well as information on the class system of Korea at the time. For all those interested in Asian history, I highly recommend this novel due to all the reasons mentioned.