The White Book

by Han Kang

First published 2017

A woman lies dying in a hospital bed. As her family gathers at her bedside, they must confront the fragility of life and the weight of their shared history. With each visitor, the story unfolds—a tapestry of memories, regrets, and the profound, unspeakable bond between a mother and her children. In this poignant, understated novel, Han Kang explores the emotional aftermath of loss and the quiet resilience that emerges from even the darkest of tragedies.

Genres: literary-fiction, contemporary, family-drama

Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking

Tropes: family-drama, grief

161 pages · Hardcover · Portobello Books

Content warnings: death, terminal-illness

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