Literary Fiction· South Korea
Please Look After Mom
by Kyung-Sook ShinAggregate Editorial Score10/100
Kirkus Reviews
Published 2008English
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Published in 2008, Please Look After Mom established Kyung-Sook Shin as one of the defining voices in literary fiction. An elderly Korean woman goes missing at Seoul Station and her family—each narrating from their own perspective—must confront all that they never knew about her and all they failed to give her. A devastating portrait of the invisible labour of mothers. Themes of motherhood, family, loss run through the work. The book has received recognition from Kirkus Reviews 2008.
Book Details
About the Category
📖 Literary Fiction
Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.
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🇰🇷 South Korea
This book is part of South Korea's rich literary tradition.
Explore books from South Korea →Editorial Assessment
Please Look After Mom by Kyung-Sook Shin sits within the tradition of literary fiction that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 2008 in South Korea, it engages with motherhood, family, loss, Korea in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention.
Among its recognitions: Kirkus Reviews 2008. With an editorial score of 10/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys.
What distinguishes Please Look After Mom is how it handles its central concerns — motherhood, family, loss, Korea — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it.
Please Look After Mom reflects Kyung-Sook Shin's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with South Korea's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.
Awards & Recognition
Kirkus Reviews
notable · global
200810
Kyung-Sook Shin is a celebrated author from South Korea known for influential works of literary fiction.
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