The Korea Herald

Writer looks into other worlds

Oct 21, 2011

It is about one o’clock on Monday in Seoul, and a tall, poised woman walks into a busy cafe. Dressed in a black jacket and a matching grey skirt, she says hello in German-accented Korean. She has huge, curious eyes.Not many would think of this Korean-born Austrian author as a foreigner on busy Seoul
New Books

Oct 21, 2011

Understanding all ‘Things Chinese’Things ChineseBy Ronald G. Knapp(Tuttle Publishing)For many people, their only interaction with China is at a Chinese restaurant, but there is so much more to a culture dating back over the two millennia.Let the excellent “Things Chinese” introduce you to it.Along w
Love story unfolds contradictions in life

Oct 21, 2011

Twofold SongBy Yi Mun-yol(Hollym)A couple is sitting on a bench on a cool autumn day. They have been having an affair for the last three years, and have just decided to end the relationship. It is their last day together, but each gives it a different meaning and a reason.Author Yi’s novella “Twofol
Jobs questioned authority all his life, book says

Oct 21, 2011

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A new biography portrays Steve Jobs as a skeptic all his life _ giving up religion because he was troubled by starving children, calling executives who took over Apple ``corrupt'' and delaying cancer surgery in favor of cleansings and herbal medicine.``Steve Jobs'' by Wal
Murakami’s ‘1Q84’ book creates buzz in British launch

Oct 20, 2011

LONDON (AFP) ― Booksellers in Britain were expecting to sell thousands of copies of Japanese author Haruki Murakami’s latest novel on Tuesday as excitement built after some stores held special late-night openings.Hardback versions of the book, “1Q84,” went on sale across Britain a week ahead of its
British author Julian Barnes wins Booker Prize

Oct 19, 2011

LONDON (AFP) ― British author Julian Barnes on Tuesday won the Man Booker Prize, one of the highest-profile awards in English-language literature, at the fourth attempt for his novel “The Sense of an Ending.”Barnes picked up the 50,000 pounds ($80,000) award, which recognises the best work of fictio
National Book Award nominee withdraws

Oct 18, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) ― A month before the winners are to be announced, this year’s National Book Awards have become a story of embarrassment.Within just a few days, children’s author Lauren Myracle has been a nominee, a non-nominee, a nominee again and, finally, a non-nominee, asked to withdraw over mistak
Museum unconvinced by new Van Gogh death theory

Oct 18, 2011

AMSTERDAM (AP) _ Two American authors believe Vincent van Gogh was fatally shot by two teenagers and did not die from self-inflicted wounds, but the new theory won a skeptical reception Monday from experts at the museum dedicated to the 19th century Dutch master.A book by Pulitzer prize-winning auth
Iceland’s literary stature born over centuries

Oct 16, 2011

FRANKFURT (AFP) ― A literary tradition that was born about 900 years ago with the Sagas, which Icelandic children still read today, has evolved into a thriving modern-day appetite for crime fiction.Publishers and authors at the Frankfurt Book Fair, which ends Sunday and where Iceland has been guest
A novel idea for learning English

Oct 14, 2011

Members of English-language book clubs enjoy foreign culture, friendship, while honing the languageIt’s a Tuesday morning in southern Seoul, and four middle-aged women are sitting in a cafe over their morning coffee. Filling the space with chats and giggles, the gathering seems nothing more than a s
New Books

Oct 14, 2011

Banks tackles sex offendersLost Memory of SkinBy Russell Banks(Ecco)One of America’s finest writers has written a novel about sex offenders, and he’s done so in such a powerful and insightful way that “Lost Memory of Skin” should be required reading for anyone interested in fixing the country’s brok
Christmas book brings the White House to life

Oct 14, 2011

“Christmas With the First Ladies” is an attractive addition to the plethora of books on the history of the White House.Drawing on the materials from presidential libraries, Coleen Christian Burke has delved into history to put a human face on presidential Christmases as presented by our presidents a
Jane Lynch, a role model with laserlike focus

Oct 14, 2011

Ann Christophersen, co-owner of Women and Children First bookstore in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood, turned to Linda Bubon, her longtime business partner, and scowled at the table that had been set up on a riser at the back of their store. The actress Jane Lynch was due in a few minutes. She
Book industry fights back against debt crisis

Oct 13, 2011

FRANKFURT (AFP) ― Publishers and booksellers from debt-laden countries gathered at the world’s biggest book fair Wednesday determined to fight the impact of Europe’s economic woes.But authors at least have drawn inspiration from the crisis, they reported.Greece, currently in the eye of the eurozone
World’s biggest fair of publishers eyes safe future for books

Oct 12, 2011

FRANKFURT (AFP) ― The world’s biggest book fair, which opened Tuesday, wants to put paid to fears for the survival of the book in its traditional, bound form in the face of its digital rival’s growing popularity.While electronic books and other gadgets have been all the talk of the Frankfurt Book Fa