The White Book: Winner of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature

I have not finished the book, because it’s so wonderful I had to slow down to savour it more. Although some have called it self-indulgence on Author Kang’s part, I think the emotions expressed within 흰 are the kind that cannot be isolated from their owner. And because of that, I felt a perfect understanding with the author and the stories deeply touched my heart. Actually, someone I love very much who passed away last year read this book in its original Korean. As I am grieving for him now, I feel deeply connected and comforted by reading it. This book has moved me to tears, not by attachment to characters or by plot, but by the simple mode of expression which both stirs and soothes my grief. I believe it’s my first experience of the kind. I truly recommend this book to anyone softhearted, and especially anyone who has experienced deep grief.

Having been aware of how slight this book is, I nearly passed at buying this myself, but having enjoyed 'The Vegetarian' I gave it a go - and I'm glad I did. I wouldn't really describe this as poetry myself - more a series of very short chapters (some only a few paragraphs long), telling the tale of someone haunted by a dead sibling, and their musing on both the nature of grief and what life would have been like for this person had they lived. It's certainly brief - even read at a leisurely pace this is only going to take two hours of anyone's time, but it's very evocative and atmospheric stuff. If you're looking for an atmospheric alternative after ploughing through a few doorstops, this could be just the thing.

Is this a novel, poetry, a journal? Actually no, it's something else entirely. In a succession of small (sometimes tiny) vignettes, Han paints a picture of bereavement and loss. "White" is a thread that weaves through the text, but isn't really the point of it (other than, I believe, white is a colour representing death in Korea).The language is gentle, even economical. And yet, after a few pages I realised I wanted to go back to the beginning again and read slower (in the end, I read every page twice) just so I could savour all that was on offer. There's depth here: not "clever", but subtle.Wholeheartedly recommended. Just: take it slow.

It was okay, not my fave from the author but still a well-written one from Han Kang.

This book has totally blown my mind. I'm sure some would find the format and layout a bit pretentious, but it works for me. Honestly the first time in longer than I can remember that I've made notes of quotes. It just feels like a reflection of the state of my own mind at the moment.

This is a beautiful book which even made me cry. I really recommend buying it. It came in great condition as well.

Parts of this were breathtaking once I got into the rhythm of the book.Definetely worth a read or two.

This is such a beautiful book. So well written. Han Kang is a great author, I'd also recommend reading 'the vegetarian'.

This book is hard to describe. Precise and searing language.

Ha Kang manages to capture gentle moments with such unseen delicious craft. The book is a therapeutic read. Highly recommended.

Dieses Buch ist eine Meditation.

Very inspiring book. This is about a white from black, life from death, and hope from despair.I think the readers who have read Vegetarian could understand this book better in that sense.

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