There's something about Han Kang writings that makes you itch for more. The way I feel she can write a two liner essay about pens and I would still devour it and eat it whole. Han Kang has a way that will make you be so immerse in the story and the lives of the people that are written in it.

Told in alternative narratives, in a daunting and melancholic tone, is a story of a woman who had lost her voice and a man who is losing his sight. Bonded through a seemingly 'dead' language, its a story of two broken souls that were brought and comforted as one, in ways that was not expected by the both of them. A story of grief, loss, sorrow but also laced with warmth in its own way.

I feel with Han Kang's writing, you will either love the story or will totally fell head over heels in love with it. I understand the polarizing reviews, and in some ways, its understandable - as, if I were to pick this book in a different mood, I feel that I wouldn't have enjoyed the book as much. But alas, the quiet musings that Han Kang wrote for both of the characters left a deep impression with me. It felt as if I was going through a very slow and picturesque movie, told in various scenes, with the details for each and every small detail focused one at a time. The slow agony of the man who is losing his sight, and the woman's trauma that ended up with her losing the very language that she adored and loved. The grappling of both of our characters with the loss in their lives are both profound in their own ways, and thus making them different from the rest of the world. And when these two souls came together, somewhat finally finding someone that understands, they are fighting another sense of loss that comes with their circumstances.

I paired my reading with the audiobook, and I kid you not, it elevated this story so much. The audiobook has two sets of narrators and it made the story more alive as we go through both the man and woman's musing in their state of emptiness to continue life. It made me experience each of the character's emotions to a painstaking level. Its the kind of heartache that runs deep. And best of all? I love how Han Kang wrote about language, and what seemingly deemed to be a 'dead literature' is what appealed to both of the characters to be bonded over. It reminded me of Babel: An Arcane History and how language played a role in being the bridge to human beings, transcending cultures and beliefs.

Overall, this book is definitely not for everyone, and you will definitely have to be in the right mood for it, but its one that reeled me in the most unexpected way. Its a short but a meaningful read and one that will remain in my head for a long time.

Personal Ratings: 4.75🌟

Thank you so much to Times Reads for this copy!