A Korean Novel Illuminates Mothers Everywhere
It’s still a few months away from Mother’s Day, the day we publicly honour our 
mothers. I was reminded of mine, when I read the wonderful international bestseller, Please Look After Mom. Its Korean author, Kyung-sook Shin tells the story of a woman with dementia and how the ravages of that illness affect her children and her husband. But the story isn’t so much about the illness. Rather, it’s about a family’s hopes, dreams, and disappointments through the voices of the children, the father, and the mother. No one escapes unscathed in this family drama, not even the mother, but this is life. Through the lens of each family member, we learn not only of their struggles to make sense of their lives, but we also learn about our own.
What surprised me and my friend, who loaned me this novel, was the universality of this story. My friend said, “It made me stop and think there are others around the globe who go through the same joys and despairs as I do.”
I felt the same way about this book, as I did about the Iranian film, A Separation. Stories like these can bring us closer together as people.
Korean Cover
I was lucky I had a mother who lived long enough for me to appreciate her. Part of my problem was that as a young girl, I was so enamored with my father that I didn’t see the woman my mother was until I became a mother and grandmother myself. Perhaps it was because my mother wasn’t always kind to me. She was very critical at times, and too often I felt that I could never measure up. Now, I look back and understand she set high standards. She wanted the world for me and she wanted me to figure out how I could get that on my own.
Like the mother in Kyung-sook Shin’s novel, mine also brought boxes of food she’d lovingly prepared when she came to visit me. Oh, what I wouldn’t do to experience that all over again.
It’s often been said that education is wasted on the young. I feel wiser and more thankful now that I’ve lived through a number of acts. And yet now that I’m in my third act, I realize how much more I still have to learn. Does any of this resonate with you? Do books like this make you stop and think about your own journey with your mother? Or your journey as a mother?
The synopsis “please look after mother is really touching.” my mum is recovering from an illness and I understand the pressure that is experienced in the family, the love then you realize how much you really love mummy. This reminds me of saying , “Mum, I love you.”
My tribute to all mums around the world.
Thank you for your reply. I’m sorry to hear about your mum. It’s amazing how an illness of someone you love impacts on the whole family. And yes, I agree with you. Saying “Mum, I love you,” is so important. I remember years ago, my mother told me during a phone call that she had been watching Oprah and how important it was to say I love you. Thanks for visiting and giving your comment.