I have heard and seen many good things about Han Kang’s Human Acts, so much so I was expecting more people to have read it. While it isn’t an accurate metric for total number of reads, I was shocked to find less than fifty thousand people have read the translated works. From what I have seen over bookish social media, I was thinking it would be up at the 80k mark. Given the novel’s content and delivery, I now understand that the frequency of posts and appreciation for this book are genuine and the reason it comes up so often is because it genuinely is an incredible book.

Amid a violent student uprising in South Korea, a young boy named Dong-ho is shockingly killed. The story of this tragic episode unfolds in a sequence of interconnected chapters as the victims and the bereaved encounter suppression, denial, and the echoing agony of the massacre. From Dong-ho’s best friend who meets his own fateful end; to an editor struggling against censorship; to a prisoner and a factory worker, each suffering from traumatic memories; and to Dong-ho’s own grief-stricken mother; and through their collective heartbreak and acts of hope is the tale of a brutalised people in search of a voice.

The characters in this novel are raw and real, and rightfully so as they are based on real people who had to go through this harrowing, awful experience. The characters are the heart of the story, the pulse of the prose, ad their experiences and narrative voices shape this novel into something so precious yet so dark. The poetic prose is melodic and reminds me of stream-of-consciousness writing, giving these characters a voice that feel so lively and present. Another key reason for this is the addressing of a “you”. I won’t say anything more, but the impact it has on the story really hammers home the emotional intent behind the words.

There are dark, heavy, and often thought-provoking themes to explore and take in with Human Acts. Do not expect to pick this novel up and read something light-hearted. The pain, loss, and sorrow within the characters, the setting, and the history at the root of this novel are felt from the very beginning. It is incredibly humbling reading Human Acts – not only did I not know of the intense history and events surrounding this novel, but the experiences and vivid feelings that come through will leave you speechless. Human Acts tells as much about the actions of the everyday citizen as it does about the sinister actions of those who try to control them.

I don’t want to say too much more as I want you to read this engaging read. All I can say is it is well worth the read, not just for those interested in historical fiction, literary fiction, or foreign literature, but for all of those looking for a story about humans. Human Acts is full of human experience and emotion and it will speak to you in more ways than one. It is intense, immersive, and unforgettable. I cannot wait to read more from Han Kang.