By Kang Gahui and Hahm Hee-eun
Photos = Moonji Publications

“The Hole” (홀) is a novel that depicts the inner side of a university professor who lost his wife and became physically disabled after a traffic accident. Critics have praised the novel's intense conflict structure and its psychological depiction of suspense.

Pyun Hye-young (편혜영) recently won the Shirley Jackson Award in the U.S. for the English translation of her latest novel. The Shirley Jackson Award was enacted in 2007 to continue the literary achievements of Shirley Jackson (1916-1965), a master of 20th century gothic mystery. The prize is awarded to authors who make outstanding achievements in the field of psychological suspense, horror or dark literature.

In a written interview with Korea.net on July 20, the author said, "The U.S. has a reputation for keeping its strong traditions of popular fiction, so translated novels aren't easily accepted there. I was very glad when my novel ‘The Hole’ was acknowledged by U.S. critics. I think it was because of its narrative that allows deep immersion into the story, without the need to understand any foreign country or society. Non-Korean readers are also able to read it without having to feel anything unfamiliar."

"Life is full of unknown secrets, splits and blank spaces," she said. "’The Hole’ depicts the process of confronting human contradictions, secrets in relationships and blank spaces, as the main character falls out of society after a traffic accident.”

Back in Korea, Pyun won the Dong-in Literary Award in 2011, the Yi-Sang Literary Award in 2014, and the Hyundai Munhak Award in 2015, establishing herself as a leading author. Pyun’s novels have also caught attention outside Korea. Last year, her novel “City of Ash and Red” was selected as the book of the year 2016 in Poland, and a short story, “Caring for Plants,” was published in the literary section of the New Yorker.

Pyun has a positive outlook concerning the international publication of Korean works. She said, "Contemporary Korean literature is gradually receiving acknowledgements all around the world. I hope that the next generation of Korean authors will have more opportunities for a sensational reaction abroad."

The author's novel “City of Ash and Red” will be published in the U.S. in November, and “The Hole” will be published in German and Spanish around the end of the year in Europe.



kgh89@korea.kr