Folklorn

In Angela Mi Young Hurs's novel Folklorn, a particle physicist in the Antarctic is drawn back to her childhood home in California by her childhood imaginary friend, who reveals the secrets of her mother's dark stories. It is a genre-defying, continents-spanning saga of Korean myth, scientific discovery, and the enduring love that connects even the most fractured families.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 16 May 2022
Publisher: Erewhon Books

Angela Mi Young Hurs' Folklorn is a captivating novel that delves into profound questions of race, culture, and history, exploring the intricate boundaries between past and present, fact and fantasy, and personal and cultural realms. This ambitious work seamlessly weaves together elements of ghost story, family saga, parable, and feminist reimagining of myth, creating a mesmerizing and thought-provoking narrative.

At the heart of Folklorn is Elsa Park, a brilliant particle physicist stationed at a neutrino observatory in the Antarctic. She is a woman who has achieved great success in her field, confident that she has distanced herself from the family ghosts that have haunted her throughout her life. However, her sense of security is short-lived when her childhood imaginary friend, a spectral woman in the snow, reappears to claim her at last.

Years ago, Elsa's mother had warned her that women of their line were destined to repeat the narrative lives of their ancestors from Korean myth and legend. But Elsa faces a more immediate threat: the mental illness and generational trauma that run deep in her immigrant family. When her mother finally breaks her decade-long silence, tragedy strikes, forcing Elsa to return to her childhood home in California.

There, amidst the struggles of her family, Elsa unravels the secrets hidden within the handwritten pages of her mother's dark stories. These stories delve into the desires and fury of women, the suppression, theft, or punishment of magic, and the yearning for vengeance. Folklorn is a wondrous and essential exploration of the myths we inherit and the ones we create for ourselves.

Through Elsa's journey, Hurs sheds light on the complexities of identity and the power of storytelling. The novel explores the intersection of race, culture, and history, challenging preconceived notions and revealing the hidden truths that shape our world. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of embracing our diverse heritage.

With its rich prose, vivid imagery, and intricate plot, Folklorn is a genre-defying masterpiece that will captivate readers of all ages and backgrounds. It is a testament to the power of literature to transcend boundaries and inspire empathy and understanding.

In conclusion, Angela Mi Young Hurs' Folklorn is a remarkable novel that pushes the boundaries of storytelling and explores the depths of human experience. It is a must-read for anyone who seeks to broaden their horizons and understand the complexities of our world.

Dimension: 140 x 216 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781645660422