Vocabulary words from the market square, with "old women hawking"...
kimchee - "... a traditional Korean fermented dish made of vegetables with varied seasonings, most commonly referring to the spicy baechu variety ..."
and bulgoki - "... a variety of barbecued beef ... made from thin slices of sirloin or other prime cut of beef. The meat is marinated with a mixture of soy sauce, sugar and other ingredients such as scallions and mushrooms ..."
(with help from Wikipedia)
almost 2 years ago
"Ahead, the alley crooked to the right. Past the turn he spotted the lantern, a gourd of ruby glass envined in black wire, the flame within a rose that sprang and licked at the throat of the glass, skewing rib-shadows across the door."
Even though this scene is from a dark, rainy, South Korean night a few years before I was born in a country I've never visited, I know that alley and that lantern. I'm not sure how the author did it, but he's pulled me right in.
almost 2 years ago
Based on the tremendous enthusiasm for this book here, I promised myself I would save it for August and end up the summer in style with a great big gratifying read. I started it this morning on the subway to work. I only read the five pages of the Prologue and I can tell I'm in the hands of a master storyteller. This is going to be a wonderful ride.
almost 2 years ago
