Please Look After Mom Summary of Shin Kyung-sook's Book

Book Summary: Please Look After Mom by Shin Kyung-sook

Please Look After Mom by Shin Kyung-sook is a poignant and heart-wrenching novel that delves into the complexities of family relationships and the impact of a mother's selfless love. This international bestseller takes readers on a journey of self-discovery as a family searches for their missing mother and uncovers the hidden truths about her life. With its richly developed characters and emotional depth, this book is sure to resonate with readers of all backgrounds.

Characters

The novel revolves around the lives of the family members of sixty-nine-year-old So-nyo, who goes missing in the bustling Seoul subway station. The characters include:
- So-nyo: The matriarch of the family who sacrifices her own needs to take care of her children and husband.
- So-nyo's husband: A man who struggles to come to terms with his wife's disappearance and realizes that he never truly knew her.
- So-nyo's daughter: Guilt-ridden and filled with regret for not appreciating her mother's sacrifices while she was still present.
- So-nyo's son: An emotionally distant son who struggles to connect with his family and confront his own demons.

Detailed Summary

The story begins with So-nyo getting separated from her husband in the crowded Seoul subway station. As her family frantically searches for her, they come to terms with the fact that they don't have a recent photograph of her. This realization leads them to question how well they truly know their mother and reveals the depth of their ignorance about her desires, heartaches, and secrets.

Narrated through the alternating voices of the family members, the novel unravels the intricacies of So-nyo's life - a life that may seem ordinary on the surface but is filled with complexities and unfulfilled dreams. Each family member grapples with their own feelings of guilt, regret, and sorrow as they piece together the fragments of So-nyo's past.

In the poignant conclusion of the novel, So-nyo herself speaks, offering readers a glimpse into her innermost thoughts and emotions. Through her voice, the mystery of her disappearance transforms into a profound exploration of motherhood, sacrifice, and identity.

Analysis

Please Look After Mom is a powerful exploration of the often overlooked sacrifices of motherhood and the impact of neglecting to appreciate the ones we love. Shin Kyung-sook masterfully weaves together the perspectives of different family members to create a multi-faceted portrait of a woman who is both familiar and enigmatic. The novel challenges readers to reflect on their own relationships and consider the depth of understanding they have of their loved ones.

The Rashomon-style narrative adds a layer of complexity to the storytelling, highlighting the subjective nature of memory and perception. Through this technique, Shin Kyung-sook invites readers to consider the ways in which our individual experiences shape our understanding of others.

Overall, Please Look After Mom is a deeply moving and thought-provoking novel that will resonate with readers on a profound emotional level. It is a testament to the enduring power of familial bonds and the transformative nature of self-discovery.

Final thoughts

If you have ever experienced the joys and challenges of family relationships, Please Look After Mom is a must-read. This gripping novel will tug at your heartstrings and leave you contemplating the true essence of motherhood and love. Purchase the complete book to immerse yourself in this unforgettable tale or listen to the audiobook for a captivating listening experience.

9780307593917 (ISBN10: 0307593916)