Greek Lessons: A Novel
by Han Kang, translated by Deborah Smith and Emily Yae Won
Greek Lessons is the latest book by South Korean novelist Han Kang, author of The Vegetarian. In the book, a Greek language instructor finds himself drawn to one of his pupils, who is losing her ability to speak. He too is losing his sight. Two people are brought together by private anguish. Katie Kitamura has described the novel as “sinuous and sublime… an extraordinary meditation on language, violence, loss, and intimacy.”
Recommendations from our site
“Greek Lessons is another slim, brooding little novel about difficult protagonists facing inexplicable problems—this time, it features a woman who has lost the ability to speak, and her language tutor who is losing his vision. Elegaic and tender, it is more abstract and less violent than The Vegetarian. Strange, thoughtful, compelling.” Read more...
The Notable Novels of Spring 2023
Cal Flyn, Five Books Editor
Our most recommended books
-
The Books of Jacob: A Novel
by Olga Tokarczuk, translated by Jennifer Croft -
Elena Knows
by Claudia Piñeiro, translated by Frances Riddle -
Not a River: A Novel
by Selva Almada, translated by Annie McDermott -
Crooked Plow: A Novel
by Itamar Vieira Junior, translated by Johnny Lorenz -
Mater 2-10
by Hwang Sok-yong, translated by Sora Kim-Russell & Youngjae Josephine Bae -
What I’d Rather Not Think About
by Jente Posthuma, translated by Sarah Timmer Harvey