Jan 2021: The Magical Language of Others

[Reera, Bookmaster]

For our first book of 2021, we will be reading The Magical Language of Others by EJ Koh. This is a memoir told through letters from her mother that Koh translated from Korean to English. She shares her journey to selfhood in the States after her parents moves back to Korea for a lucrative job opportunity. What was supposed to be a somewhat short and temporary period of absence stretches onto years, during which Koh struggles to become an adult without any parental guidance.

The book does show eating disorder, so please read with that content warning in mind.

[Lauren]

I read this book a year ago, right when it came out actually. I'm thrilled to see this book kick off the year for the club.

I won't get into the context of my thoughts about the memoir. I think it might be easier just to refer everyone to read the review I did of it. Instead, I just want to express my joy over seeing new readers pick up on EJ Koh and her writing. I've known of EJ for years. She has written powerful poetry and just as equally powerful prose (I mentioned in my review that she released a novel several years back, which I would recommend if it weren't for the fact that it's impossible to find now). If you've ever experienced watching someone you either know or follow rise from obscurity to suddenly having this huge audience for whatever it is that they create, that's the feeling I have over people reading EJ's writing for the first time.

I hope everyone here takes something away from "The Magical Language of Others" and I look forward to hearing your thoughts about it, Reera and Marvin, in your review episode next month.

FUN FACT: If you're friends or fans of Dan AKA Dan, you might be interested to hear that EJ starred in a music video for a song by his former band, afterschoolspecial, back in 2010.

[Reera, Bookmaster]

Lauren wrote: "I read this book a year ago, right when it came out actually. I'm thrilled to see this book kick off the year for the club.

I won't get into the context of my thoughts about the memoir. I think i..."

Funnily enough, EJ Koh was the first author I've ever interviewed. I was an intern at ISATV at the time and interviewed her on her fantasy novel Red, which is no longer in publication. I have not read her poetry or memoir, but I'm happy that her writing has found such a wide audience now.

[Lauren]

You’re the one who did that interview? That’s awesome! That’s how I first learned about her!

[Kelsey]

I’m so happy to have joined this group... I loved this book! Wow. I’m eager to read her book of poetry and hope she keeps on being published. It was such a stunning piece of writing. The audio read by Koh herself was top notch

[Nina]

I really loved this book! Similar to Pachinko, Koh told the story of generational trauma and ultimately lands on the power of forgiveness. And that forgiveness is something that can take place over a long period of time, potentially over the course of a lifetime.

I am practicing speed reading, and there were so many times when I would read a profound quote and would have to ponder the applicability and relevance to my own personal life.

[Rinko]

Honestly, how do you rate a memoir in a way that is fair? That’s what I’m wondering as I begin this book.

[Chris]

I read this book last year. Really enjoyed it. Pasting my pithy review:

Read quickly within a week, while stalled on other books, while in quarantine. It made me write this review as if I'm poetic.

[Reera, Bookmaster]

If you've already listened to our discussion episode, then you'll know how much of an emotional read this memoir was for me. I highly recommend reading the book while listening to the audiobook.

EJ does a wonderful job translating her mother's letters, but I think English muted the depth of her mother's emotions. I know a lot of reviewers have crucified EJ's mother for being vapid and oblivious to her daughter's pain in her letters, but it did not feel that way to me. When she writes about how much fun she's having with her sister, it sounds like she swept all her guilt and self-loathing under a table and placed a Carvel birthday cake on top. There's a simmering desperation missing when the words are translated into English, or at least in my opinion. I'm probably projecting.

Like EJ's father, my father received a prestigious job offer that required him to move back to Korea when I was fourteen or fifteen. Unlike EJ's parents, mine chose to stay in America and reject the opportunity to live a wealthier lifestyle and reunite with their families. Unlike EJ, I told my parents to leave me behind. Reading this memoir gave me a glimpse of what my life could have been if my parents obliged my wish. What I've learned from reading it is that forgiveness is not something you earn. It must be freely given.

[David]

I really enjoyed this book but I found your discussion of it on the podcast especially enlightening. Frankly I think I appreciate the book even more now. The familial separation because of work isn't a narrative I'm familiar with personally so to see echoes of it in your lives opened up aspects of the story I hadn't fully recognized before. And poetry as a path to forgiveness - whew, that is something.