Book Club: Let's Talk About "We Do Not Part," by Han Kang

The Book Review

Published: Fri Mar 28 2025

The novel “We Do Not Part,” by the Nobel laureate Han Kang, involves a pet-sitting quest gone surreal: It follows a writer and documentarian whose hospitalized friend beseeches her to take care of her stranded pet parakeet on an island hundreds of miles away. When she arrives, the writer finds not only the bird but also an apparition of her friend, who has a devastating history to tell. On this week’s episode, the Book Club host MJ Franklin discusses “We Do Not Part” with fellow Book Review editors Lauren Christensen and Emily Eakin.

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Book Review – Book Club Episode on "We Do Not Part" by Han Kang

Release Date: March 28, 2025
Host: Gilbert Cruz
Guests: MJ Franklin, Lauren Christensen, Emily Aiken
Episode Title: Book Club: Let's Talk About "We Do Not Part," by Han Kang

1. Introduction

In this month's episode of The Book Review Podcast, hosted by Gilbert Cruz, the New York Times Book Review team delves into "We Do Not Part" by Han Kang, translated by Lee Yewon and Paige Ania Morris. Hosted by MJ Franklin, the discussion brings together Lauren Christensen and Emily Aiken, both seasoned contributors to the Book Club, to explore the intricate layers of Han Kang's latest novel.

2. Book Synopsis

MJ Franklin introduces "We Do Not Part" as Han Kang's latest work, following her acclaimed novel "The Vegetarian", which was recognized as one of the New York Times Best Books of the 21st Century and earned her the Nobel Prize in Literature. Released in English in January 2025, "We Do Not Part" continues to unravel complex themes through its protagonist, Kyun Ha.

Emily Aiken provides a detailed synopsis:

The novel opens with a nightmare experienced by Kyun Ha, a writer haunted by her previous work on the Gwangju massacre (00:36). Estranged from her family and living a reclusive life in Seoul, Kyun Ha receives a sudden plea from her friend Insan, a documentary filmmaker turned woodworker, who has suffered a severe accident. Kyun Ha's journey to Jeju Island to rescue Insan's pet bird unfolds into a surreal exploration of personal and historical trauma, intertwining present struggles with the haunting legacy of the Jeju massacre of 1948-1949 (03:37).

3. Themes and Symbolism

Lauren Christensen and Emily Aiken delve into the book's poetic and visceral nature, highlighting its non-linear narrative and rich symbolism:

Non-linear Narrative & Structure: The story shifts between past and present, dream and reality, creating a tapestry that reflects the characters' internal turmoil (06:39). Lauren notes the challenging timeline, making it difficult to discern the sequence of events (06:48).
Symbolism of Snow, Blood, and Shadows: The recurring motifs—snow representing death and memory, blood signifying pain and sacrifice, and shadows illustrating the lingering presence of the past—are meticulously woven into the narrative (10:00).
Emotional Depth: The novel captures profound grief and isolation, portraying Kyun Ha's minimalistic existence and Insan's struggle with physical and emotional wounds (07:56).

MJ Franklin reflects on the environmental parallelism:

“There is a desolate landscape… a sense that their interiority feels refracted throughout the environment” (09:20).

4. Character Analysis

Kyun Ha: A reclusive writer suffering from migraines and grief, Kyun Ha embodies the struggle to reconcile personal trauma with historical atrocities.
Insan: Once a documentary filmmaker, now a woodworker dealing with a severe accident, Insan represents the tangible scars of past conflicts and the burden of preserving memory.
Insan’s Mother: Revealed as the true protagonist, she symbolizes the collective memory and the responsibility of remembering suppressed histories (35:16).

Lauren Christensen emphasizes the interconnectedness of the characters:

“These women have this inextricable bond… They exist in profound solitude, yet connected through buried history” (10:00).

5. Stylistic Elements

Emily Aiken describes Han Kang's imagistic precision and minimalistic approach:

“It's like a painting… vivid black trees against pristine white snow… a palette of four colors” (11:36).

MJ Franklin adds:

The novel is sensory-rich, utilizing elements like light, snow, and water to evoke a heavy mystery (12:20).

The dreamlike quality and ambiguous realities challenge readers to navigate through layers of meaning, enhancing the novel's poetic resonance.

6. Emotional and Intellectual Impact

The guests unanimously agree that "We Do Not Part" is a challenging yet rewarding read:

Emotional Toll: The intense portrayal of grief and historical trauma can be overwhelming, as reflected in reader comments about the book's heart-gripping and mind-gripping nature (23:02).
Intellectual Engagement: The novel compels readers to engage deeply with themes of memory, identity, and the moral imperative to remember atrocities to prevent societal desensitization (17:09).

Emily Aiken shares her personal journey:

“It took me an adjustment to get into this book… but I appreciate how expertly and elegantly it was structured” (17:35).

7. Reader Reactions

The episode highlights poignant reader testimonials:

Juliana from Portland: “I fell in love with this author… Her writing was body gripping, heart gripping, and mind gripping” (23:02).
Jin from Tacoma: “As someone born in Korea… reading these stories is an act of love” (23:02).
Helekala Sunrise: “I had to stop and put it down a few times when the depth of the losses became too much to continue” (23:02).

These reactions underscore the novel's impact on diverse audiences, resonating deeply across cultural and emotional spectrums.

8. Historical Context and Project

MJ Franklin and the guests explore the novel's engagement with historical memory:

Preserving Suppressed Histories: The Jeju massacre's portrayal emphasizes the collective responsibility to remember and honor victims, a theme central to both the characters and Han Kang's broader literary mission (37:21).
Han Kang's Nobel Lecture: The author identifies Insan’s mother as the true protagonist, highlighting the intergenerational transmission of trauma and memory (35:16).

Lauren Christensen connects the personal to the historical:

“She is a writer of intense range… its open to interpretation is so impressive” (42:36).

9. Book Pairings and Recommendations

The guests suggest several complementary reads for those moved by "We Do Not Part":

Lauren Christensen:
- "The Colony" by Annika Norlin: A Swedish novel set in a remote forest commune, echoing themes of historical silence and personal trauma.
- "Audition" by Katie Kitamura: A novel that shares the dreamlike and disorienting elements found in Han Kang's work.
Emily Aiken:
- "The English Patient" by Michael Ondaatje: A poignant exploration of identity and memory against the backdrop of World War II, mirroring the novel's historical and emotional depth.

MJ Franklin also recommends "Human Acts" by Han Kang, an earlier work that similarly grapples with the Gwangju massacre, emphasizing its painful yet essential exploration of collective memory.

Additionally, for poetry enthusiasts:

"Don't Call Us Dead" by Danez Smith: A collection that resonates with the themes of "We Do Not Part", addressing systemic violence and the necessity of remembrance through powerful poetry.

10. Conclusion

The episode concludes with a tease for the next Book Club selection, "Playworld" by Adam Ross, set for April, aligning with National Poetry Month. The hosts encourage listeners to engage with their online community for further discussions and reflections.

MJ Franklin encapsulates the essence of the discussion:

“Han Kang does it in such an original, haunting way” (37:21).

The episode serves as a profound exploration of memory, trauma, and the moral imperative to remember, positioning "We Do Not Part" as an essential read for those seeking depth and emotional resonance in contemporary literature.

Notable Quotes:

Lauren Christensen [07:56]:
“I was incredibly moved by the lyrical, poetic, as Emily said, descriptions of the intense grief that both of these women have endured for their own reasons.”
MJ Franklin [09:20]:
“The landscape is so desolate because these characters are… the environment and their mental states and their spiritual states… very complex.”
Emily Aiken [16:03]:
“There's this idea that the infliction of pain is a form of care.”
Lauren Christensen [27:47]:
“There's this strange, ambiguous relationship between the two women… they know what each other is thinking without having to say.”
MJ Franklin [35:16]:
“Insan's mother as the true protagonist… the responsibility of remembering suppressed histories.”

For a deeper dive into "We Do Not Part" and its intricate narrative, readers are encouraged to listen to the full podcast episode and join the ongoing conversation on the New York Times website.