Book Review: Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung

This year, I’ve made it a personal quest to read more short story collections. It’s been going much better than expected, and I’ve had the pleasure of reading some incredible short stories from some of the most brilliant writers of contemporary fiction. During this journey, I discovered a couple of interesting trends: all the short story collections I’ve read are from women writers, and the works are extremely dark. Two of these books come from the genius of Korean author Bora Chung. I read her first book, Cursed Bunny, back in February. When I was finished, I knew immediately that I would be reading her recent follow-up, Your Utopia, and so I reserved it from my local library. While I was originally planning to review both together, I’ve decided to keep them separate, as they are quite different stylistically. One leans more toward horror, while the other is heavily science fiction. So let’s discuss the delightfully twisted tales of Cursed Bunny!

Cursed Bunny (2017) by Bora Chung and translated by Anton Hur; Photo Credit: Natalie Getter (Rating: 5 out of 5 stars!)

This is the most varied assortment of stories I’ve ever encountered in one book! I thought I knew what I was getting into with this collection, particularly as the first two stories were firmly rooted in body horror. The opener titled “The Head” is so disgusting that the less I say about it, the better. You’ll just have to read it to see what I mean. The second tale called “The Embodiment” is so surreal and Kafkaesque, as a woman becomes inexplicably pregnant despite never having been with anyone. Rather than provide any sympathetic advice, however, her physician tells her that in order to have a normal baby, this young mother will have to find a suitable father. The story then becomes an allegory on parenting and the pressures of a woman in Korea believing she must have a man in her life. Chung infuses both of these opening stories with a lot of humor, but it doesn’t take long for them to become so disturbing. I completely loved these stories, and, rightfully so, was mistaken in believing that all ten stories would be works of horror. Far from it, as Chung proves she is adept at moving from genre to genre with equal skill.

For example, “Goodbye, My Love” is fully in the science fiction vein, focusing on a scientist and her relationships with the androids she creates. While she works through the difficult decision to send her first ever creation back to the factory as it’s become obsolete, she wonders if perhaps the android has feelings about this as well. “Snare” is a dark version of the classic golden goose fable, while “Ruler of the Winds and Sands” is a fantasy fable taking place on a desert world. In this one, a princess embarks on a mission to restore the sight of the prince she is to marry, only to discover that things are not as they seem, and that human nature is a terrible thing.

Another group of stories take a darker and supernatural approach. One of the best horror shorts I’ve ever read is called “The Frozen Finger” and is a claustrophobic story of a woman trapped in a sinking car in complete darkness with only a cold hand for company and support. It’s so chilling! (no pun intended). Another favorite from this collection, “Reunion,” is a clever ghost story that takes the reader in so many directions, leading us to examine the darkness that exists in each of us. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the title story of this phenomenal book. “Cursed Bunny” is told from the point-of-view of a grandfather who takes revenge on a company by gifting them a cursed object, a rabbit lamp shade. As the story unfolds, we see how the curse works on a family but also how it comes back on the grandfather himself.

Overall, Chung’s first collection is an impressive debut, with translator Anton Hur doing an extraordinary job in converting these twisted tales for us English readers to enjoy. Here’s my warning: as impressed as I was with this book, I recognize it’s not for the squeamish or for the faint of heart. I encourage you dear reader to have the courage to check out this intriguing collection from one of my new favorite writers. If you still say Bora Chung is a no-go, I ask that you wait for my review of Your Utopia before making a decision.

“I could finally understand the horrific and cruel clarity of what he considered to be meaningful. The desperation and immense fear that your life, as well as the future to come, hinged on a moment.”-“Reunion”

Have you read this book? I’d love to know your thoughts! Let me know with a comment below.

Book Review: In the House Upon the Dirt Between the Lake and the Woods by Matt Bell

“For one human being to love another: that is perhaps the most difficult of all our tasks,” warns Rainer Maria Rilke in his class Letters to a Young Poet. “It is a high inducement to the individual to ripen, to become something in himself, to become world, to become world for himself for another’s sake, it is a great exacting claim upon him, something that chooses him out and calls him to vast things.” Love encourages us to grow, to evolve and become something greater. For centuries, authors have contributed to this vast discussion on love, some being more successful than others. It’s a rarity for anyone to get it right, so imagine my surprise in reading Matt Bell’s remarkable novel, In the House Upon the Dirt Between the Lake and the Woods. It’s a thoughtful and insightful work of fiction that tackles the subject of love, the good and the bad, in such an interesting way. Rather than write a conventional novel, Bell instead pens a beautiful and haunting modern fable that follows an unnamed husband and wife who have left their home country to begin a life in the untamed wilderness. Their journey is one that is both surreal and brimming with symbolism on every page. Also, this is an extremely weird novel…and considering that I’m a bit weird myself, that just makes this husband’s spiritual journey all the more rewarding.

In the House Upon the Dirt Between the Lake and the Woods (2013) by Matt Bell, Photo Credit: Natalie Getter

After building their house, the husband spends his days hunting and gathering food, while the wife has a rather unique gift, in that she can create objects through song. From a plate to a second moon, she is able to bring into existence nearly anything. I say “nearly” because the one area that’s been a constant struggle with the couple is in producing a healthy baby. “What world we found was not enough for her, not enough for me, not without the children we desired, that I desired and that she desired for me.” Their first several attempts are traumatic, resulting in stillborn fetuses, one of which the husband impulsively eats (told you this book was weird). While the couple eventually are successful in having a baby, it isn’t what the husband expected; he finds himself driven insane by the jealous fetus that now resides inside him. His wife and son flee deeper into the house, which has now magically expanded to the size of a massive labyrinth. Alone, the husband now has to come to terms with decisions he has made in life, while also dealing with the mysterious bear that lives in the woods and the squid-like creature that resides in the lake.

This is a true modern fairy tale, more in tradition with the dark complexities of the Brothers Grimm than in today’s contemporary versions. It would seem like a story like this would be impossible to pull off, but Matt Bell possesses the sheer audacity to not only pull this off, but deliver one of the best magical tales I’ve ever read. A lot of terrible things happen in this book. A lot. Yet, Bell’s prose is so beautiful and fluid that this book was such a joy to read. If I had to compare him to any other writer, the closest for me would be Kelly Link. Bell’s style remains all his own. In the House is such an intoxicating blend of fantasy and horror. There are passages in this book far more frightening than in most mainstream horror fiction. The darkness is well-balanced by Bell’s warmth and empathy, which makes the tragic events that befall the husband so emotionally jarring. The morals and lessons learned in fairy tales are usually easy to identify. What Bell has crafted is a much more complex work that forces us to examine our ideas on love and the pain that often accompanies that most grand of adventures.

Matt Bell, Photo Credit: Steve Tatzmann

This is one of the most intelligent conversations on the ideas of love, marriage, and family that I’ve ever experienced in a work of fiction. In one scene, the husband remembers his father lecturing him, “telling me the purpose of a marriage was the improvement of a man and a woman, each meant to make the other better.” In the House provides a unique look because it views love and marriage through the context of the entire journey, with its joys and struggles. In the end, I think Bell is trying to impart wisdom in that while love is a damaging force, it’s truly worth it in the end. Each relationship is unique, a world in upon itself. And happily ever after often requires the hardships and sacrifice to be worthy of its gifts.

“With the spotted tips of my fingers I touched the image of my wife’s face, and also mine, and that couple was long gone now, and it was no wonder she did not recognize us, and yet still there was something there, in or around the eyes, perhaps, or in the set of the mouth, the shape of the nose or neckline: a man and a woman just married, terrible in the potencies of their youth, their early love.” 

Have you read this book? I’d love to know your thoughts! Let me know with a comment below.

13. ‘The Little Prince’ by Antoine De Saint-Exupery

I decided it was time to read some shorter works to catch up on my reading goal for the year. The Little Prince has been in my top ten reading picks for years. It is such a beautifully written story, and I usually reread it every year. The plot is simple but the meaning is deeply complex. The author, an aviator, becomes stranded in the middle of the Sahara Desert. While attempting to repair his damaged plane, a mysterious child appears who asks the author to draw him a sheep. With that simple request, a modern fable begins that teaches us what is truly important in life. This is a great story for any age with some truly beautiful illustrations.

 

“All grown-ups were once children… but only few of them remember it.”

I get to work with young children every day. As a therapist, it is such a wonderful experience witnessing their special way of seeing the world. Every day, I get surprised by their creative voices. One of the lessons I took from The Little Prince  is on the importance of keeping some of your childhood with you. My favorite parts of the book are when the Prince talks about the other planets he has visited, each one populated by a single narrow-minded adult. Each journey can be viewed as an allegory on human nature. On the first planet, he meets a king who believes he rules with absolute authority. For example, he can order the sun to go down….but only at sunset. The Prince quickly realizes the fallacy of the king’s power. He meets several other adults on his travels, such as a conceited man, a drunkard, a businessman, a lamplighter, and a geographer. The Prince learns from these meetings that “grown-ups are really very odd.”

“And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”

I dare you to not find meaning on every single page of this little book. Other themes that are explored besides the foolishness in adults are enlightenment through exploration and the value of relationships. This work also teaches us the pain of having to let someone go. The Little Prince definitely belongs on the 1001 Books list. I can’t wait to have a ‘little prince’ of my own someday so I can read this book to him. You will laugh. You will cry. You will see the value in being a kid all over again.

 

 

 

“The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart.”