Early Korean Literature

by David R. McCann

Preeminent scholar and translator David R. McCann presents an anthology of his own translations of works ranging across the major genres and authors of Korean writing―stories, legends, poems, historical vignettes, and other works―and a set of critical essays on major themes.

A brief history of traditional Korean literature orients the reader to the historical context of the writings, thus bringing into focus this rich literary tradition. The anthology of translations begins with the Samguk sagi, or History of the Three Kingdoms, written in 1145, and ends with "The Story of Master Hô," written in the late 1700s. Three exploratory essays of particular subtlety and lucidity raise interpretive and comparative issues that provide a creative, sophisticated framework for approaching the selections.

192 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2000

Reviews

[Sharon Barrow Wilfong · Rating 4 out of 5]

The poetry is exquisite. There is a brief analysis of the poem, style, era in which it was written and the author.

There is also analysis about the literature in the form of stories, but this particular book does not include any of the actual stories.

Still, a valuable read for those of us interested in Korean culture and literature.

[Ocean G · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first part of this book was excellent. I appreciated the journey through the different types of Korean Literature over time, with an introduction explaining each one followed by some examples.

One of my favorites:
Jade Green Stream, don't boast so proud
of your easy passing through these blue hills.
Once you have reached the broad sea
to return again will be hard.
While the bright Moon fills these empty hills,
why not pause? Then go on, if you will.
-Hwang Chin-i (#2056)

The last part, however, (Negotiations in Korean Literary Culture) was way over my head. The analyses seem to be aimed at experts in the field, and I think I absorbed very little of it all.