Yi Sang: Selected Works

Yi Sang's high modernist poetry shows a lot of French and German surrealist and Dadaist influences but remains uniquely Korean. Most of this work was written during the occupation of Korea by Japan in the early 20th century. There is a consistent dreamlike quality to the imaginary and use of analogous form which characterized early 20th-century French experimental poetry. These concerns from French formalism pull from mathetics, architecture, typography are not lost on the poems here in English. They may remind American readers of the L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E and New York school poetry which had similar modernist influences. The translations are fresh which is difficult from poetry influenced by high modernism and in a non-Indo-European language. The essays and prose-poems are really something else here. Highly recommended.

This book has been such a unique and interesting look into Korean poetry. I'm thankful to the author Jack for his interpretation and contribution. I have been enjoying the book since I first opened it. Highly recommended.