{"title":"Nam-nyong Paek","description":"\u003cp\u003eExplore the captivating world of North Korean literature with the works of \u003cem\u003eNam-nyong Paek\u003c\/em\u003e, a prominent author known for his insightful portrayal of everyday life in North Korea. His stories provide a rare and intriguing glimpse into the socio-cultural fabric of a largely enigmatic society.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne of Paek's most revered works, \u003cem\u003eFriend\u003c\/em\u003e, delves into the complexities of personal relationships and the human experience against the backdrop of North Korean society. Through compelling narrative and richly developed characters, Paek invites readers to engage with themes of love, duty, and personal integrity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs you journey through Paek's collection, you'll find yourself absorbed in tales that combine poignancy with a subtle critique of social norms. His writing stands as a testament to the power of fiction to transcend boundaries and offer insights into a world many know little about.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDelve into \u003cem\u003eGeneral Fiction\u003c\/em\u003e through the eyes of \u003cem\u003eNam-nyong Paek\u003c\/em\u003e and experience stories that are as enlightening as they are enthralling. Whether you're a seasoned reader of world literature or new to North Korean narratives, Paek's books promise to be both thought-provoking and deeply engaging.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"friend-by-nam-nyong-paek-9780231195607","title":"Friend","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFriend\u003c\/em\u003e by Paek Nam-nyong is a tale of marital intrigue, abuse, and divorce in North Korea. A woman in her thirties comes to a courthouse petitioning for a divorce. As the judge who hears her statement begins to investigate the case, the story unfolds into a broader consideration of love and marriage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe novel delves into its protagonists' past, describing how the couple first fell in love and then how their marriage deteriorated over the years. It chronicles the toll their acrimony takes on their son and their careers alongside the story of the judge's own marital troubles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA best-seller in North Korea, where Paek continues to live and write, \u003cem\u003eFriend\u003c\/em\u003e illuminates a side of life in the DPRK that Western readers have never before encountered. Far from being a propagandistic screed in praise of the Great Leader, \u003cem\u003eFriend\u003c\/em\u003e describes the lives of people who struggle with everyday problems such as marital woes and workplace conflicts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eInstead of socialist-realist stock figures, Paek depicts complex characters who wrestle with universal questions of individual identity, the split between public and private selves, the unpredictability of existence, and the never-ending labour of maintaining a relationship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis groundbreaking translation of one of North Korea's most popular writers offers English-language readers a page-turner full of psychological tension as well as a revealing portrait of a society that is typically seen as closed to the outside world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853262934252,"sku":"9780231195607","price":114.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/8012773482270.jpg?v=1759193496"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/nam-nyong-paek.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}