Memoirs Of A Korean Queen (Korean Culture Series) [Paperback]

Hong (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 4, 1987 | ISBN-10: 0710302487 | ISBN-13: 978-0710302489

These extraordinary memoirs paint a vivid picture of court life in Korea during the middle of the 18th century as the background to a royal family tragedy of epic proportions, as seen through the eyes of a remarkable woman. In these most compelling of palace chronicles Lady Hong tells of her introduction to court life, of her selection as a consort to the Crown Prince at the age of ten, and of her brief years of happiness that were eclipsed by a series of dark events culminating in the madness of her husband and his death at the hands of his father, King Yongjo. Written at the end of her life for the benefit of her son and grandson who became kings, Lady Hong's absorbing and revealing memoirs combine historical authenticity with the artistry of fine literature.

Editorial Reviews

Review

In her sixtieth year, Lady Hong began this memoir for her grandson, King Sunjo, in order to explain the "Imo Incident" and to clear her family name of any wrong doing associated with the tragedy. At age ten, Lady Hong became the wife of Crown Prince Sado, next in line to be the king of Korea. Unfortunately, her husband suffered from paranoia and delusions that intensified over time. In response to his son's actions, the King killed him in a bizarre and horrifying manner: this murder became known as the "Imo Incident." Its affect on Lady Hong was all encompassing: "In the face of this disaster it seemed as if heaven and earth touched each other and the sun and moon turned pitch black, and I had no desire to remain any longer in this world." For years prior to her husband's death, she had longed to talk with the King, to ask for help; because of royal protocol, all she was allowed to do was watch her husband's violent abuses. Memoirs of a Korean Queen provides a rare example of writing by a Korean woman during this period and an equally rare view of her life and those around her. Two hundred years later Lady Hong shines through as a thoughtful, intelligent woman whose life was circumscribed by the custom, culture, and Confucianism of her time - the same custom, culture, and religion that provided her with the strength to endure. -- For great reviews of books for girls, check out Let's Hear It for the Girls: 375 Great Books for Readers 2-14. -- From 500 Great Books by Women; review by Holly Smith

Language Notes

Text: English, Korean (translation) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Routledge (January 4, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0710302487
• ISBN-13: 978-0710302489
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,640,583 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shakespearean tragedy in 18th-century Korea, March 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Memoirs Of A Korean Queen (Korean Culture Series) (Hardcover)

Lady Hong, the grandmother of the King of Korea, recounts the terrible story of her young life: chosen from a group of Korean girls to marry the Crown Prince at the age of eight, she watches him slide into madness and rivalry with his father. The Prince's malady first shows itself as peculiar concern about clothing, and later turns to violent behavior towards his staff; finally to a life-and-death struggle with his father. The story itself is riveting,and is accompanied by fascinating details about the daily life of a traditional Korean aristocrat.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The true Korean royalty: a first person account, November 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Memoirs Of A Korean Queen (Korean Culture Series) (Hardcover)

Memoirs of a Korean Queen is a first person historical account about the Imo Incident (July 11, 1762). This novel was written over an eleven-year period by Lady Hong, the wife of Prince Sado, to show her grandson, King Sunjo, that her family was not at fault for the death of Prince Sado. Although she does not outright say that it is King Yongjo's fault for Prince Sado's death, she certainly implies that it is the King's fault because of his inadequacy as a father. Also, this novel is a fine example of Confucian values that were set forth in that time of Korea. It is these Confucian values that gave her the strength to continue; while at the same time it rendered her powerless.