A landmark year for women in literature
2024 has emerged as a historic year for women writers, with two of the most prestigious literary accolades recognising their extraordinary talent and contribution to the world of letters. Last month, the Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to South Korean author Han Kang, praised “for her intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life.” Meanwhile, British author Samantha Harvey won the Booker Prize for her novel Orbital, a masterful narrative set aboard the International Space Station. Together, these achievements spotlight the growing prominence of female voices in literature, reshaping the global literary landscape.
Han Kang
Han Kang, born in Gwangju, South Korea, grew up in a literary household that nurtured her sensitivity to art, music, and words. Her early exposure to literature, thanks to her novelist father, deeply influenced her path as a writer. She began her literary journey as a poet in 1993 and made her prose debut two years later with Love of Yeosu. Her masterpiece, The Vegetarian, introduced readers worldwide to her layered, metaphorical storytelling and empathetic exploration of human experiences.
This novel, divided into three interconnected narratives, portrays the psychological collapse and transformation of a woman who decides to stop eating meat - a choice that ripples through her relationships and her sense of self. Her decision defies societal norms, leading to dramatic and troubling consequences. This novel had won the 2016 Man Booker Prize as well.
Han’s other major works, including Human Acts and The Wind Blows, Go, further demonstrate her ability to weave profound themes of trauma, identity, and resilience into poetic prose. Her writing draws heavily from personal memories and historical realities, making her a poignant chronicler of collective and individual struggles. As Noah Kim, an illustrator and children’s book author, aptly remarks, “Han Kang’s works give voice to those silenced by history. Through her narratives, I’ve found solace and vivid imagery that influence my writing and drawing.”
Han Kang’s writing is distinguished by her profound physical empathy and an evolving, charged metaphorical style. Her work often reveals a duality of pain, intertwining mental and physical suffering, reflecting deep connections to Eastern philosophies.
Through her literary oeuvre, Han confronts historical traumas and the unseen societal rules that shape human lives. Each of her works illuminates the delicate fragility of existence, exploring themes that bridge the body and soul, as well as the realms of the living and the dead. With her poetic and experimental approach, Han Kang has established herself as a trailblazer in contemporary prose, redefining narrative boundaries with her innovative style.
Han Kang’s early reading years were filled with Korean children’s books by authors like Kang So-cheon and Ma Hae-song, which left a lasting impression on her. She vividly recalls a story about a photo studio that developed pictures of people’s dreams and another about a child who compassionately sang to trees, wishing they could lie down to sleep. One of the most memorable translated works from her childhood was The Brothers Lionheart by Astrid Lindgren.
In her late teens, Han was captivated by Russian literature, particularly Dostoevsky’s expansive novels and Pasternak’s Death of a Poet, a book she revisited many times.
A pivotal moment in her literary journey came at age 14 when she read Sapyong Station by Lim Chul-woo. This short story, set in a snowy rural train station, featured no central character but instead wove together the inner thoughts of passengers waiting for the last train. The vivid portrayal of everyday life inspired Han Kang to pursue a career as a writer.
The Booker story of Orbital
On the other hand, British writer Samantha Harvey’s Orbital stands at the other end of the literary spectrum, offering readers a window into humanity’s fragility and resilience through the lens of space exploration. Set aboard the International Space Station, the novel unfolds over a single day, presenting the lives of six astronauts as they orbit Earth. In just 136 pages, Harvey encapsulates the beauty of our planet, the interconnectedness of human life, and the existential questions posed by humanity’s place in the cosmos.
This novel, divided into three interconnected narratives, portrays the psychological collapse and transformation of a woman who decides to stop eating meat - a choice that ripples through her relationships and her sense of self. Her decision defies societal norms, leading to dramatic and troubling consequences. This novel had won the 2016 Man Booker Prize as well.
Han’s other major works, including Human Acts and The Wind Blows, Go, further demonstrate her ability to weave profound themes of trauma, identity, and resilience into poetic prose. Her writing draws heavily from personal memories and historical realities, making her a poignant chronicler of collective and individual struggles. As Noah Kim, an illustrator and children’s book author, aptly remarks, “Han Kang’s works give voice to those silenced by history. Through her narratives, I’ve found solace and vivid imagery that influence my writing and drawing.”
Han Kang’s writing is distinguished by her profound physical empathy and an evolving, charged metaphorical style. Her work often reveals a duality of pain, intertwining mental and physical suffering, reflecting deep connections to Eastern philosophies.
Through her literary oeuvre, Han confronts historical traumas and the unseen societal rules that shape human lives. Each of her works illuminates the delicate fragility of existence, exploring themes that bridge the body and soul, as well as the realms of the living and the dead. With her poetic and experimental approach, Han Kang has established herself as a trailblazer in contemporary prose, redefining narrative boundaries with her innovative style.
Han Kang’s early reading years were filled with Korean children’s books by authors like Kang So-cheon and Ma Hae-song, which left a lasting impression on her. She vividly recalls a story about a photo studio that developed pictures of people’s dreams and another about a child who compassionately sang to trees, wishing they could lie down to sleep. One of the most memorable translated works from her childhood was The Brothers Lionheart by Astrid Lindgren.
In her late teens, Han was captivated by Russian literature, particularly Dostoevsky’s expansive novels and Pasternak’s Death of a Poet, a book she revisited many times.
A pivotal moment in her literary journey came at age 14 when she read Sapyong Station by Lim Chul-woo. This short story, set in a snowy rural train station, featured no central character but instead wove together the inner thoughts of passengers waiting for the last train. The vivid portrayal of everyday life inspired Han Kang to pursue a career as a writer.
The Booker story of Orbital
On the other hand, British writer Samantha Harvey’s Orbital stands at the other end of the literary spectrum, offering readers a window into humanity’s fragility and resilience through the lens of space exploration. Set aboard the International Space Station, the novel unfolds over a single day, presenting the lives of six astronauts as they orbit Earth. In just 136 pages, Harvey encapsulates the beauty of our planet, the interconnectedness of human life, and the existential questions posed by humanity’s place in the cosmos.
Samantha Harvey
The Booker Prize jury, chaired by Edmund de Waal, described Orbital as a “miraculous” work that distills vast themes into an intimate, poetic narrative. Written during the solitude of the COVID-19 lockdowns, the novel reflects Harvey’s contemplation of the Earth’s majesty and the urgency of its preservation. Harvey, the first woman to win the Booker since 2019, dedicated her award to advocates for peace and environmental dignity, declaring, “What we do to the Earth, we do to ourselves.”
Samantha Harvey almost abandoned her award-winning novel early in its development. Initially, Harvey felt overwhelmed by the subject. “I am so spectacularly not an astronaut,” she joked after the Booker ceremony, describing herself as "unadventurous" and "anxious." Her doubts about venturing into a world so far from her own experience led her to set the project aside.
Months later, while revisiting old files, she reopened the draft by accident and was struck by its vitality and potential. “It had an integrity and pulse that drew me in,” she said. Realising she could approach the story from a unique perspective, different from astronauts recounting their space experiences, she overcame her fears and committed to completing the novel—a decision that ultimately propelled her to literary success.
This year’s literary accolades highlight not only the individual brilliance of Han Kang and Samantha Harvey but also a broader trend of celebrating diverse voices in literature. These authors, through their distinct styles and narratives, have brought
to the forefront themes that resonate deeply in today’s world - climate uncertainty, historical trauma, identity, and the interconnectedness of human existence.
As readers and literary enthusiasts reflect on this milestone year, it becomes evident that the recognition of women’s voices in literature is not merely an event but a movement, one that enriches and expands our understanding of the world through the power of storytelling. 2024 will undoubtedly be remembered as a year when female authorship took centre stage, redefining the boundaries of literary excellence.
Samantha Harvey almost abandoned her award-winning novel early in its development. Initially, Harvey felt overwhelmed by the subject. “I am so spectacularly not an astronaut,” she joked after the Booker ceremony, describing herself as "unadventurous" and "anxious." Her doubts about venturing into a world so far from her own experience led her to set the project aside.
Months later, while revisiting old files, she reopened the draft by accident and was struck by its vitality and potential. “It had an integrity and pulse that drew me in,” she said. Realising she could approach the story from a unique perspective, different from astronauts recounting their space experiences, she overcame her fears and committed to completing the novel—a decision that ultimately propelled her to literary success.
This year’s literary accolades highlight not only the individual brilliance of Han Kang and Samantha Harvey but also a broader trend of celebrating diverse voices in literature. These authors, through their distinct styles and narratives, have brought
to the forefront themes that resonate deeply in today’s world - climate uncertainty, historical trauma, identity, and the interconnectedness of human existence.
As readers and literary enthusiasts reflect on this milestone year, it becomes evident that the recognition of women’s voices in literature is not merely an event but a movement, one that enriches and expands our understanding of the world through the power of storytelling. 2024 will undoubtedly be remembered as a year when female authorship took centre stage, redefining the boundaries of literary excellence.
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