Hyun Sook Kim

Recommended: YES
For a history not well known in the US, for a prime example of how graphic novels so well suit memoirs, for a funny and dramatic story

Thoughts:
Graphic novels are so well suited to memoirs and nonfiction. This is a prime example. The art and coloring complements the story perfectly. With the selective colors it focuses exactly on what needs to be focused on. And again, things that are hard to say in words are sometimes better conveyed in images.

The historical aspect of the story is shocking for me, even though I'm relatively well-versed in 20th century Korean history. It's just so hard to imagine that only 40 years ago, the government was aggressively censoring media, and arresting or torturing or killing protestors against the leaders of the country. It's so recent, really. And compared to the Korea I know today, it's so drastically different. Just a few years ago we saw a series of country-wide protests of millions of people for weeks on end succeed in peacefully removing a president who was corrupt. That's absolutely incredible! This book feels so relevant because, really, Kim Hyun Sook's experience is mirrored in the lifestyle changes seen today.

We're able to see Hyun Sook’s personality and character develop as her understanding of the protesters increases. Through the different activities she ends up joining, we get insight into the way the government works. Her tidy good-girl worldview is shattered and she's forced to make a decision about where she will stand.

I have come to think that graphic novels are particularly well suited for memoirs. What is difficult to capture in words, is much easier to convey in images. Graphic novels combine these two together and create a powerful combination That pulls you deeply into the story. Banned book club is a prime example of that experience.… (mehr)

In South Korea in 1983, Kim Hyun Sook goes to college to study literature, but finds herself swept up into a protest movement.

Black-and-white art is clear enough to follow; each character is distinct. There are some scenes of abuse/torture. An epilogue takes place during a reunion in 2016.

Quotes

"You can learn a lot about history by figuring out what people wanted to hide." (43)

"[Chun] doesn't care if we believe him or not. He created such a divide between the people who believe his lies and those who don' that the country is too torn apart to come together and properly oppose him." (63)

"I'm here to learn, same as you. I just want to learn more than what they want us to know." (168)

"So you gotta wonder. Do they ban books because they see danger in their authors, or because they see themselves in their villains?" (170)

"Are you surprised that after all that, we still have to fight the same fights?"
"Not at all. Progress is not a straight line. Never take it for granted." (188)… (mehr)