This is probably one of the most beautiful literary gems you will find in Tajfuny. The main theme is the titlular “white” – inspired by snow, Warsaw winter, the emptiness of a rented apartment (Han Kang wrote Hwin (White Book) during her literary residency in Warsaw.) With autobiographical elements, the fictional mix of poetry and prose is meant to help cope with the loss of an older sister; a sister who died before the protagonist was born.
The White Book it is a kaleidoscope of many seemingly similar shades of sadness. 65 mini chapters, sometimes as short as a few sentences, that revolve around everything white – salt, a blank sheet of paper, clothes for a newborn baby.
Few books have shaken my emotions as much as this inconspicuous little book by Han Kang. It is literature that pierces through and leaves you defenseless – to finally soothe.
Available also in English.
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