Author: Kim Dong Hwa
Publisher: First Second, 310 pages
Copyright: 2009
VOYA Review:
After months of painfully waiting for his return, seventeen-year-old Ehwa marries her fiance, Duksam, in this romantic yet bittersweet conclusion to The Color Trilogy. Ehwa is thrilled to be marrying Duksam, who has been away at sea earning money so they can marry. But Ehwa is also heartbroken about leaving her childhood home and her widowed mother behind. Likewise, Ehwa's mother is happy for her but worried about sending her into marriage so young and inexperienced. Her mother is also afraid that she will be lonely when Ehwa is gone, although her lover, a traveling artist, does come to visit her with the promise of a more stable relationship. The plot of the story is simple, as the book focuses on the inner lives of Ehwa and her mother. The culmination of the trilogy is the marriage ceremony and Ehwa's wedding night, depicted with evocative illustrations that rely heavily on nature symbols such as butterflies, flowers, and water. The book ends hopefully with the promise that Ehwa and Duksam will have a happy life. Ehwa's mother has learned, however, that love does not guarantee happiness, as death, distance, and age can leave women alone and longing. Reviewer: Amy Luedtke
Review:
This graphic novel is the third and final installment in the historical series by Kim Dong Hwa. Ehwa’s love, Duksam, leaves her to make his fortune on a fishing vessel – promising to return to her in the spring. Seventeen year old Ehwa spends the next months trying to distract herself with her normal chores and activities, but is always waiting for Duksam. Her mother, similarly, waits for the “picture man,” a traveling artist to whom she has a romantic attachment. Their patience is rewarded in the end. Duksam returns in the winter, unable to bear the separation any longer, and asks Ehwa’s mother for permission to marry her daughter. He builds them a home, they wed, and their union is consummated. The picture man also returns and Ehwa’s mother finds solace in his arms – although she has lost her daughter to Duksam, it seems she may have found a new partner in the picture man.
There are some really beautiful backdrops in this story. Even though it’s in black and white, Kim Dong Hwa does some amazing things with light areas that make the skies glow. Readers will also learn a fair amount about Korean culture and tradition (especially during the wedding ceremony), and life in the countryside in an unobtrusive way. There is a lot of imagery, particularly floral imagery (many references are made to Ehwa’s ‘blooming’ awakening womanhood) which some readers might enjoy more than others.
Reading Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Notes about Audience: Pace is slow and length is very long; recommended for older readers who enjoy graphic novels.
No comments:
Post a Comment