Description
Book SynopsisTHE ALL-TIME KOREAN CLASSIC OVER 1 MILLION COPIES SOLD, +100 REPRINTS Reflections from Prison is the collected letters and essays written by renowned Korean thinker Shin Young-Bok during his 20 years and 20 days as a political prisoner on a life tariff under Korea's military dictatorships. His time in prison symbolizes Korea's long period of suffering before becoming the flower of Asian democracy. The letters range from postcards, to tiny characters squeezed onto his daily ration of two sheets of toilet paper. When they were discovered by his friends and published in the Peace Newspaper, the peaceful message born out of the most painful times resonated in many hearts aching for freedom across the country. A year after its first newspaper appearance, he was released under a special pardon and his letters were published as a book in 1988. It has since sold over a million copies and become a Korean classic. The writings themselves are not overtly political since all the letters went through censorships Yet he does not hide the harshness of prison life at the rock bottom of society. They provide a window onto his personal suffering during imprisonment a life sentence, and how he pulled from it crystal-clear reflections on Korean society, history, and human relationships; finding beauty and hope in adversity. Common themes include his observations of nature, prison life , human relationships, Korean & Chinese ancient philosophical literature, poetry, calligraphy, self-cultivation, and history. Since its publication in 1987, a year before Shin's release, Reflections from Prison, has been a steady-seller in Korea. Now well-settled as a Korean classic, it still enjoys its status as a book of healing, insight, teaching and changing people through its inspiration and wisdom. With this translation, we share with readers abroad the precious experience of illumination and awakening that millions of Korean readers have enjoyed.
Trade Review"The thinker I admire the most" - Moon Jae-In, President of South Korea "A thinker, a voice of his times, an opponent of mindless intrusive bureaucracy, of the rigidity of capitalism and of social inequalities" - Roger Richardson
