Buja's Diary [Paperback]

Se-yong O (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2005

From Korea comes a collection of incisive observant short stories by a leading artist. Reading these thirteen exceptional stories is an experience similar to appreciating a touching poem or watching a series of stills from a silent movie. Combining the traits of different artistic genres, O has indeed created his own world of comic art. While eloquently presenting a universal human experience, O also brings a delightful and exotic insight into Korean society. Whereas Manwa (Korean comics) can be much more than we expect.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. As interest in manga peaks, other Asian forms of comics are beginning to surface in North America. Now we can add manhwa, or Korean comics. Seyeong's work is meditative, naturalistic and frequently moving. This is a lengthy book comprising a baker's dozen of stories that range from corporate drudgery in South Korea to pastoral farm life, from ancestral keepsakes to gentle parables about ethics. In one rather remarkable tale, the protagonist describes a mysterious leather pouch carried everywhere by his grandfather. The pouch signifies the lives he left behind, first when Korea was split in two and then, as life continued, when his friends and, eventually, his wife died. The pouch comes to symbolize both the passing of life and of Korea's century. Seyeong renders all of these stories in carefully composed frames, each panel a precise emotional or physical moment. His drawings are nearly sculptural, and his figures move with both grace and drama. What's really impressive, though, is this book's gentle nature. The author's voice—clear, humane, and patient—always comes through, making these comics both a thoughtful glimpse into a foreign and little-discussed culture and a pleasure to read. (Dec.)
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From School Library Journal

Grade 10 Up–O is one the most acclaimed practitioners of Korean manhwa, and this collection contains 13 of his powerful short stories. The Snake Catcher Brothers Dream is a fable with a simple message; The Secret of the Old Leather Pouch mines deep feelings of honor, tradition, and family history. Observe takes a comical look at a vain man on his commute to work, told without the assistance of dialogue or narration. At the heart of every piece lies Os discerning eye for character and dialogue. The stories also work as unique portraits of Koreas present-day culture, giving a broad sense of the history and issues important to its people. O displays equal levels of skill and range in his artwork; all black and white, the styles range from realistic watercolors to cartoon charcoal drawings. With each piece so different, readers gain an impression of the depth and variety possible within the medium.–Matthew L. Moffett, Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: NBM Publishing (October 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561634484
• ISBN-13: 978-1561634484
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,230,992 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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