Familiar Things

Although not my favorite book by this author, it is still a wonderful read and a creative look into some of the forgotten members of our society. This story is especially meaningful now as we wake up to the climate crisis and what our rampant consumerism is doing to the planet and us humans that make our home here.

This book perfectly illustrates how good writers tell complex stories with complexity, but truly great writers tell complex stories simply. Overflowing with pathos and insight, yet muted and straightforward, this is book that truly touched my heart.

One of the ways writers can portray poverty without hopelessness is by doing so through the eyes of a child. Familiar Things does just that, and does it very well. Its protagonist, who calls himself Bugeyes, is a 13-year-old boy who lives in a community of families on the outskirts of Seoul, existing by picking through mounds of garbage. His life, his insights, and the beings who offer him a glimpse of another world make this a fascinating novel.

The story of a boy who grows up living with his mum and step-brother in a rubbish dump. Just as the mountain of rubbish is a trace of the city which produces it, there are traces of the villages it has wiped away, and they make themselves known to the young inhabitants. At times the imagery is disturbingly beautiful, and the story itself gives an interesting take on class and everything which falls through the cracks in the process of urbanization.

One of my favourite books this year. I bought 2 copies to give as birthday presents. A gripping mixture of fantasy and a grim reality.

Life in a Korean city dump, pragmatic and mystical. There are many nuggets to discover in the book hidden amongst the garbage, in the characters and beyond

Arrived promptly and in perfect condition. Well written and fascinating subject