The Future of Silence is a collection of short stories by nine authors from three generations (those creating in the 1960s-70s, 1990s and currently.) The texts were selected and translated by Bruce and Ju-Chan Fulton.
Make sure to read the excellent introduction to the history of women in Korean literature, from the olden days, when the impossibility of learning the Chinese alphabet meant that women could not read or write, through the influence of the introduction of the Hangul alphabet, to the 20th century, when authors such as Choe Jeong-hui and Pak Hwasong paved the way for their successors.
The older stories focus largely on the daily lives of women who face adversity and everyday challenges, such as relationship misunderstanding or looking for a place in the world after a divorce. Wayfarer by Oh Jung-hee and Dear Distant Love by So Yong-un follow this approach. Identical Apartments by Pak Wan-so is another interesting, socially engaged story: a study of families who at all costs want to be like others.
The more recent texts, such as I Ain’t Necessarily So by Han Yujoo, Ali Skips Rope by Ch’on Un-yong and the titlular The Future of Silence by Kim Ae-ran show intriguing, experimental attempts by contemporary authors, representing trends in literature and a new perspective on the surrounding world.
We recommend The Future of Silence to both those who are looking for their first book to get acquainted with a variety of Korean writers, as well as those who want to deepen their knowledge of Korean literature.
