TITLE: Supernatural Korea
AUTHOR: Bang, IM et al
PUBLISHER: Tuttle
ISBN: 978-0804858038
PODCAST EPISODE: None
REVIEWER: Mark Norman
If you have read your way through previous book reviews posted on this website, then you will already know of the high regard placed in the publisher Tuttle for their works on Asian culture and folklore. This book, released in May 2025, is no exception and focuses on the cultural and folkloric tales of Korea.
There can be no doubt as to the quality of this work when you consider the line-up of authors who whose works are featured in this new collection, headed up by IM Bang who was and still is seen as one of the greatest Korean scholars.
This is an anthology of tales drawn from various historic Korean sources, for which there is a full list usefully compiled into the back of the book. The stories vary in length, with some being just two or three pages and others being much longer, sectional works. They cover a wide variety of Korean lore, from the old favourite folkloric trope of outwitting the Devil to fairies, hauntings and much more.
Many of the works are most definitely culturally embedded to Korea as you would expect, but it is interesting to draw out familiar tropes from the lore of other countries. The story 'The Enchanted Wine Jug' for example certainly having parallels elsewhere.
As beautiful as the literature in this book are the new watercolour illustrations provided by Marco Furlotti, an Italian artist who has previously worked on adaptations of 'Frankenstein', 'Dracula' and 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde'. What better track record for a book of this nature? The 36 paintings and pencil sketches enhance the text, making the richness of the Korean culture and lore jump off the page. This is a book to be savoured as much for the presentation and illustration as for the traditional stories it brings together.
AUTHOR: Bang, IM et al
PUBLISHER: Tuttle
ISBN: 978-0804858038
PODCAST EPISODE: None
REVIEWER: Mark Norman
If you have read your way through previous book reviews posted on this website, then you will already know of the high regard placed in the publisher Tuttle for their works on Asian culture and folklore. This book, released in May 2025, is no exception and focuses on the cultural and folkloric tales of Korea.
There can be no doubt as to the quality of this work when you consider the line-up of authors who whose works are featured in this new collection, headed up by IM Bang who was and still is seen as one of the greatest Korean scholars.
This is an anthology of tales drawn from various historic Korean sources, for which there is a full list usefully compiled into the back of the book. The stories vary in length, with some being just two or three pages and others being much longer, sectional works. They cover a wide variety of Korean lore, from the old favourite folkloric trope of outwitting the Devil to fairies, hauntings and much more.
Many of the works are most definitely culturally embedded to Korea as you would expect, but it is interesting to draw out familiar tropes from the lore of other countries. The story 'The Enchanted Wine Jug' for example certainly having parallels elsewhere.
As beautiful as the literature in this book are the new watercolour illustrations provided by Marco Furlotti, an Italian artist who has previously worked on adaptations of 'Frankenstein', 'Dracula' and 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde'. What better track record for a book of this nature? The 36 paintings and pencil sketches enhance the text, making the richness of the Korean culture and lore jump off the page. This is a book to be savoured as much for the presentation and illustration as for the traditional stories it brings together.