For all the Kpop and Kdrama fans, fancy a quick dip into Korean literature?
The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly is a short novella by the beloved South Korean author, Sun-Mi Hang.
Accompanied by very cute illustrations, the simple story is about a hen, aptly named Sprout, who does not want to lay eggs for human consumption anymore and instead wants to raise a chick on her own. Her determination to follow her dream is fraught with danger and several obstacles. Will she be able to achieve her ultimate dream? Borrow the book from the library and find out!
Constructed like a fable, the story’s myriad characters are like metaphors that readers-both children and adults-can relate to. In the simplest way possible, the story talks about following one’s dreams despite what the world tells you, the need to find your own identity and that it is alright to not fit in with the world around you, or the ultimate importance of letting go of people and things even those that are the closest to you. These may sound cliched or philosophical ideas, but the author wraps these themes under the guise of an animal fable and is not trying to rub those ideas into your heads or is not consciously trying to teach you those moral lessons.
The novella stands somewhere between children’s literature, a fable and philosophy book. It will remind the readers of other favourite animal classics like The Wind in the Willows or Charlotte’s Web or the evergreen The Little Prince, which similarly deals with larger existential issues through the eyes of a little boy.
In this case, it is through the eyes of a hen on a farm and her chick. So sit back on a cloudy Sunday afternoon and enjoy this quick and easy read!
(Side Promotion: Read my review of The Little Prince here: https://bookreviewsgalore.wordpress.com/2013/01/15/a-princely-read/
Read the first 20 pages of the book, The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly here:
https://oneworld-publications.com/media/preview_files/9781780745343.pdf
Read a short interview by the author, Sun-Mi Hang here:
This book sounds amazing! It’s added to my must read list
I had to share this book with my fellow book lovers
This book looks really interesting. I shall definitely add it to my “To read” list 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
it sounds so cute, and cant wait to read it!
Books sounds interesting, I need to get back into my reading routine.
Will definitely read this story and share this with my loved ones
Thank you for sharing with us ♥
It looks like a nice and interesting book to read I will also share this with my friends.
Hmmmm, very curious. I will love to read this book.
This book looks so cute! I absolutely love fables and I like the message it has! I may actually just buy it instead!!
Hope u do read it. It is lovely with such powerful messages!
Thank youu for sharing. I must now find this book. It sounds interesting.
I love fables as it can reach out to kids for it can convey profound subject and simplify it for kids and adults alike…..
Yes me too I love them for that reason as well. Hope you do read this story
I’m not a Kpop and Kdrama fan but I love Korean myths and legends. This book sounds like a motivating read. I’m going to get a copy to help me remain strong while I follow my enormously big and scary dreams.
Wind in the Willows and Little Prince are both favourites, so would like to give this one a try too. Thanks for sharing.
I grew up reading fables and this is definitely an awesome review! Looks like something I would read.
In childhood I had been reading fable books. Enjoyed reading about this South Korean fabled tale.
Wow it sure sounds interesting..i absolutely loved your blog’s background..it is sooo charming…like reading a book.
thank you! I am glad you liked the background! 😀
I think my Kpop fanatic niece will love this book
Nice review. Kpop books are Amazing ❤ I can't wait to find this book!
um it is not a kpop book really.
Is this a modern book or an old one? I don’t know about South Korean society, but this would be the opposite of the Japanese society. It is a great book with an important message. Wish that Japan could receive this kind of inspiration.
no this is a modern book. I do not know if it really talks about South Korean society but yes it does give brilliant ideas about accepting yourself and about not trying to fit in!
This is so interesting! I lived in South Korea and never really read any of the literature, but I will definitely start now.
I love reading your blogs. Helps me figure out the books I want to read through the reviews. Thanks!
I bet this one is an inspirational book, correct me if I am wrong. Which reminds me, I notice that you always review books that are such a good read. I really trust your judgement almost always! Thanks for the reviews.
It is quite an inspirational one. It helps one to see how amazing it is to not fit in as well.
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