Light and Thread is another intriguing work by acclaimed Korean author and Nobel Laureate Han Kang. Of all her books that I’ve read so far, this is sadly the one that I connected with the least. Although it did still make an impression on me. The first part of the book triggered me to reflect deeply about my own writing journey and purpose as a writer.
A key reason why Light and Thread did not linger with me has to do with the fact that it is less poetic and more mundane in its focus. The book starts out with her reflecting about her writing journey up until she won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2024. In particular she delves into the big questions she has struggled with in her writing, which as an author I found quite inspiring. However, later on in the book she mysteriously shifts focus from her writing to the nurturing of the plants in the garden of her house (which she incidentally purchased after winning the Nobel). The prose is this latter part of the book is less flowery and finessed than in her other works such as The White Book and Greek Lessons. Somehow this didn’t quite resonate with me. It seems as if her thoughts were meandering aimlessly with no particular destination in mind.
Although I do not regret reading Light and Thread, I am unsure if I would recommend this one as a must read from Han Kang. However, at the same time as an author this book did impact me. I would even venture to say that Han Kang has had a profound influence on my writing.
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