I feel a bit shorted since this is not an arc, this book came out in 2016. I don’t understand why it is marketed no NetGalley as a new release.

One Hundred Shadows focuses on Eungyo and Mujae, who live in a slum electronics market in central Seoul. Their area is marked for demolition and the book focuses mainly on their conversations as they navigate the city developments.

I heard that this book was very much abstract, using descriptive scenery and the rise of 'shadows' to touch on some very hard hitting concepts. Unfortunately I didn't feel as drawn in and I thought I would be.

The main issue I had was the formatting of the text. The lack of speech marks around dialogue and weird paragraphing made it very difficult to read and understand. I'm not sure if this format was intended or not, as I know this has been translated. Either way, it made digesting the narrative very tricky, not knowing who was speaking, whether something was description or a thought, etc.

I also found that when I reached then I still had a lot of questions. It didn't seem like the last page was supposed to be the last page - it just ended very suddenly in the midst of a situation.

Maybe I missed the imagery and references this book was trying to create, as so many other reviews are positive, but I think that this just wasn't for me.

For me, this was perfect.

I loved the style of Hwang Jungeun's writing and I am looking forward to reading more of her books.

The story follows Mujae and Eungyo, two young people working in repair shops in building B of a crowded market complex. The complex is in the early stages of being gentrified.

In this world, a person's shadow can rise, becoming a 3-dimensional figure, separate from their body, after they experience trauma and compounded sadness. This feels very realistic and troubling in the book.

I really liked the critique of the desensitization that is cultivated by capitalist systems. I think this quote captures it well, "I wonder if they call this kind of place a slum, because if you called it someone's home or their livelihood that would make things awkward when it comes to tearing it down."

Mujae describes the memory of seeing a woman and a man fight over reclaimed rags and cardboard boxes, which they plan to sell. The man ends up giving up his and the woman dies later that day, depicting the futility of human life in capitalist systems. As Mujae says, "Even after her children came and held a funeral for her, her handcart remained where she'd left it. There wasn't much in it, just a few boxes, lumps of Styrofoam and torn sheets of plastic, and as I looked at it I thought, A person can die for the sake [of] such things, a person can die and this is all they leave behind,"

I really enjoyed how the story was told through a series of separate scenes and memories. And I liked how Jungeun wrote dialogue without using quotation marks. While somewhat confusing at times, it gave the book a unique and familiar conversational feel.

I liked how the book begins with Mujae guiding Eungyo thorugh dangerous terrain after her shadow rises, and ends with Eungyo doing the same for Mujae.

I found it somewhat amusing that Mujae passes the orange peel theory TikTok challenge.

Also, I made a playlist for this book, because I guess that's what I do now. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0FXS4MZCTW5JKw9gVLPZXQ

Thank you to NetGalley and Erewhon Books for providing me with an e-arc ahead of the publication of the new edition.

One thing I can say about "One Hundred Shadows," it's that it was quick to read. I'm a slow reader, but I found myself finishing this book the same day I began. Even when the author didn't use quotation marks for the dialogues, I didn't find it hard to follow the story, once I got used to the author's writing.

I did like the story. While the characters felt slightly flat at times, I loved how the writer used "shadows" as a metaphor for strong emotions (mostly depression), like in the case of mr. Yeo's friend. The magical realism has to be my favourite part of the story, by far.

I, however, would have enjoyed the book more if it had been longer, as I think that some aspects of the story were left unsaid. What I expected from the book's description was not in the pages I read.

I would recommend this book, 3.5 stars.

An oblique, hard-edged novel tinged with offbeat fantasy, One Hundred Shadows is set in a slum electronics market in central Seoul – an area earmarked for demolition in a city better known for its shiny skyscrapers and slick pop videos.

This was solid but nothing ground-breaking. I didn't hate it.

This is stunning fantasy book thats somehow more real than any non-fantasy book I have ever read. This book has got it all, beautiful storytelling fantastic plot and poetic language
All in all a very enjoyable read

I was really excited to read this book as it sounded just like something I would enjoy. Unfortunately it wasn’t for me. The characters felt flat, the plot was mostly absent & the dialogue was often redundant which pulled me out of the story. I did like that this book had some fantasy elements with the shadows that rise but apart from that and the fact that this was a relatively quick and easy read I didn’t really enjoy this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, I DNF this novel. I didn’t find it to be very compelling in the beginning and I still didn’t connect with the story the more I read. There was nothing in particular I really disliked about this novel, I just don’t think it was for me. Thank you NetGalley and Erewhon Books for the arc.

This book has an interesting premise but failed to deliver what it’s supposed to give to the readers, whatever that is. It is said that this is a response to the 2009 Yongsan disaster… I believe the story would be more appealing and poignant if it focused on the beauty of community during crises rather than getting bogged down with unnecessary details, which ultimately make it forgettable.

- - -

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

One Hundred Shadows left me with a sombre feeling, but also with a calm soul. For quite a while, I wasn't sure how to review this book, I turned it over and over in my head and couldn't decide.

As someone who constantly worries for my future (I'm a chronic overthinker) this book was very interesting and in a way soothing to read. If you already know the book, this might confuse you a bit, but the almost surgical way many of the more serious happenings are described helped a lot to take away the fear of what might or might not happen - at least for my anxiety-filled brain. In contrast there were many witty comments and a kind of humour that would make me laugh out loud in public. The whole book had a certain melancholy but was also filled with little rays of sunshine throughout. All of this was emphasised by the phenomenal use of language. I greatly enjoyed the way this read, this is an amazing translation.

I greatly enjoyed the Fantasy aspect of this book, however, I would not market it as Fantasy. There are moreso supernatural elements to the storytelling, the shadows used as a metaphor for other, very real fears and emotions we experience.

Nevertheless, I greatly enjoyed reading One Hundred Shadows and if you are in need of a story that is not too long but will leave you thinking a little, I think you would enjoy it too.

This title, though simplistic in writing style, forces readers to wrestle with complex issues of identity and mortality. This title would be one that I would encourage students in an AP level literature course to use as a possible title to write one of their essays about. It contains many of the literary and thematic elements that would help them prepare for and excel on the exam.

In the heart of Seoul’s slum electronics market, “One Hundred Shadows” unveils the poignant tale of Eungyo and Mujae, dropout repair shop assistants navigating a precarious relationship amid economic hardship and a mysterious phenomenon—the rising shadows of their community. Hwang’s spare prose illuminates this offbeat fantasy, juxtaposing gritty reality with moments of lyrical beauty. Through quirky dialogue and arresting imagery, she crafts a narrative that challenges societal norms, offering a nuanced exploration of contemporary working-class life. This oblique novel serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities beneath South Korea’s shiny exterior, enriching the literary landscape with its perfectly calibrated emotional restraint.

This is clever about the underside of present-day life and the metropolitan poor. The writing is extra and expressive yet doesn’t fall into the snare of weighty authenticity that this sort of story can be inclined to. The story is, one suspects intentionally, somewhat irritating on occasion. Not generally clear is portraying a story until after it has gotten done or for sure who is talking now and again. They at first read as peculiar, however, at that point, their oddness agitates you and requests that you attempt to place what’s so disrupting in any case.

The novel was enlivened by the impact on common average individuals impacted by Korea’s ousting-focused redevelopment arrangements, where the public authority eliminated occupants and sellers by terrorizing and force. I loved the composition, the narrating and, surprisingly, the plot kept me fascinated, yet the completion and the goal were marginally cut off for me.

This was a very easy read, not so hard to go through if you keep pushing it without questioning what’s going on.

I’m going to confess that I didn’t understand the story except for the shadow metaphor.
I guess this is, more so, a vibe book. It actually felt like reading an indie complex movie.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

💡 BOOK REVIEW 💡

Synopsis: In a Seoul slum marked for demolition, residents’ shadows have begun to rise. No one knows how or why–but, they warn each other, do not follow your shadow if it wanders away.
As the landscape of their lives is torn apart, building by building, electronics-repair-shop employees Eungyo and Mujae can only watch as their community begins to fade. Their growing connection with one another provides solace, but against an uncaring ruling class and the inevitability of the rising shadows, their relationship may not be enough.

Review: One hundred shadows

Beautiful, poignant translation with a writing style that is metaphorical and leaves room for interpretation. There is a lack of punctuation in the writing, not unlike that of Sally Rooney’s, however this was much easier to adjust to reading which I’ve often found challenging being neurodivergent.
A short novel, but this does not affect its impact. There were some beautiful undertones throughout the mystical story that I believe with another reading and ability for further comprehension will enhance the impact of the book overall. I’m left feeling indifferent about this book. I neither loved nor hated it. Obviously I recommend though!

2.5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️💫

My sincerest thanks to @netgalley and @kensingtonbooks for the copy in exchange for my review

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"One Hundred Shadows" is a novel by Hwang Jungeon set in a rundown industrial complex in Seoul, South Korea. The story revolves around two young workers, Eungyo and Mujae, who work in a poorly lit electronics market. They face various challenges in their environment, including the mysterious shadows that seem to haunt them.

Hwang Jungeon employs surreal imagery to explore themes of resilience, identity, and the human condition, similar to Han Kang's writing style in "The Vegetarian." Both authors delve into the psychological depths of their characters, revealing their struggles with societal pressures and personal demons.

In "One Hundred Shadows," the characters must choose between overcoming or succumbing to the hardships of their circumstances. When a shadow detaches itself from human form in times of adversity, following it leads to suffering or death.

So two things didn't make this a well-rounded read for me:
1. The lack of quotation marks made it difficult to follow dialogue. I believe this was part of Jungeun’s intention - to make us develop our own meaning.
2. The lack of depth in the characters - I didn't connect with them.

To close off, I wonder if the repetition of words in the book may symbolize the mundanity of Mujae and Eungyo's lives, or it may emphasize the need to be heard. Overall, an interesting read that had me analyzing the text as if I had a paper to write.

"That’s what’s scary, you feel light somehow, carefree if you surrender to the shadow’s pulling at you…"

Thank you to Netgalley and Erewhon Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a simple, beautiful story about people who are struggling. I enjoyed the way that we get to know the characters. The story honors people lost to a tragedy. The concept is very interesting overall.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, but there definitely seems to be something lost in translation. I wanted to know more about the characters and see them develop their relationship. The plot needed more development, and more conflict and resolution.

If you like people-based stories, I think it's worth reading. If you are looking for more action, this is not the book for you.

This novella had me constantly rereading to figure out more meanings out of it. The way shadows were written about was intriguing, suspenseful storytelling. The only did that it was lacking was more of an explanation of shadow rising phenomenon. Since this book was translated to English . There may be more context that was lost. Overall a quick compelling story.

I want to thank Kensington Books for allowing me to read and review this book.

Irrespective of this being an ARC review, the following is my honest opinion:

Hwang Jungeun's writing is as clearcut as they come. There is no unnecessary fat. The structure is almost a stream of consciousness, while still highlighting details in absolute clarity and precision. One Hundred Shadows is not build on an overarching plot nor does much of "substance" happen, yet its theme takes you on a journey. It's the everyday themes that make this book so strong. The fantastical elements of "rising shadows" (pressure, expectations, dread that materializes in your shadow haunting you) juxtapose to the descriptions of the struggle to make a living in a poor neighbourhood of a Korean city in the current times.

If you're used to the prose of most modern Western fantasy, Hwang Jungeon's style might take some getting used to but through it's simplicity, it quickly gains an almost trance like rhythm. I've read this book mostly in one sitting and really enjoyed it.

I'm sure I'll spend more time thinking about its themes and can recommend it for those alone.

It might be a little unusual if you have mainly read Western fantasy so far, but this is a great introduction to modern Korean literature.

Looking for a story beyond the glitz of K-Pop and Gangnam Style? "One Hundred Shadows" by Hwang Jungeun will take you on a trip to the real Seoul!
____

This novel inspired by Yongsan Apartment incident on 2009, when local residents protested against a redevelopment project, in Seoul on January 20. Five people died in an apartment block blaze when riot police in the South Korean capital broke up a sit-in by protesting residents throwing firebombs.

Writers take us to dives deep into the lives of ordinary folks working in a rundown electronics district. Their world is threatened by decisions of the rich and powerful, and things get dark and surreal real quick.

These "shadows" aren't your creepy monster shadows, but the shadows of people forgotten by society. They're slowly taking over, symbolizing the struggles these folks face.
____

Enter Eungyo and Mujae, 2 young adults just trying to survive in this messed-up situation. They don't have much, but their connection is real. Their love story unfolds through quiet moments & stolen glances. It's simple but heartwarming.

The book throws in some magical twists that aren't cheesy, but actually make the story more real. Plus, the way the characters tell their stories is unique and keeps you guessing.

"One Hundred Shadows" like a seven beautiful, heartbreaking poems. It shows a side of Seoul you never knew existed. It tackles social issues without getting preachy, but definitely makes you think about the people left behind in the rush of progress.
___
I found some repeated words and sentences here and there, but that's fine.

One thing's clear: Hwang Jungeun REALLY cares about her characters. she even wrote a poem for Eungyo and Mujae, wishing them for a kinder world.

For me this book got 3,5/5 🔥 Thanks @netgalley for this beautiful ARC ☺

#oneweekonebook #koreanliterature #OneHundredShadows

I really enjoyed the setting, characters and plot of this book overall. Personally I enjoyed the dynamic between both sets of main characters. I also really like the setting overall too as I had not read a sci fi book like this with Asian characters that I had enjoyed this much in a while. I'm looking forward to the book's release soon.