Greek Lessons

By Han Kang | Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

About the book

Book of the Year 2023 according to New Yorker, TIME magazine, Kirkus

A powerful novel of the saving grace of language and human connection, from the Nobel Prize-winning author of The Vegetarian.

'Breathtaking . . . She is simply my favourite living writer to read, and think with, and see the world with' Max Porter

In a classroom in Seoul, a young woman watches her Greek language teacher at the blackboard. She tries to speak but has lost her voice. Her teacher finds himself drawn to the silent woman, for day by day he is losing his sight.

Soon they discover a deeper pain binds them. For her, in the space of just a few months, she has lost both her mother and the custody battle for her nine-year-old son. For him, it's the pain of growing up between Korea and Germany, being torn between two cultures and languages.

Greek Lessons is a tender love letter to human connection, a novel to awaken the senses, vividly conjuring the essence of what it means to be alive.

Translated by Deborah Smith and e. yaewon.

Shortlisted for the Warwick Prize for Women in Translation 2024

'Another stunning gem: quiet, sharply faceted, and devastating' Kirkus

'Han Kang is a writer like no other. In a few lines, she seems to traverse the entirety of human experience' Katie Kitamura

Editions of Greek Lessons

Hardcover
ISBN 9780241600276
Paperback
ISBN 9780241997062
EBook
ISBN 9780241997079
AudioStreaming
ISBN 9780241997260

Read an Excerpt

Book of the Year 2023 according to New Yorker, TIME magazine, Kirkus

A powerful novel of the saving grace of language and human connection, from the Nobel Prize-winning author of The Vegetarian.

'Breathtaking . . . She is simply my favourite living writer to read, and think with, and see the world with' Max Porter

In a classroom in Seoul, a young woman watches her Greek language teacher at the blackboard. She tries to speak but has lost her voice. Her teacher finds himself drawn to the silent woman, for day by day he is losing his sight.

Soon they discover a deeper pain binds them. For her, in the space of just a few months, she has lost both her mother and the custody battle for her nine-year-old son. For him, it's the pain of growing up between Korea and Germany, being torn between two cultures and languages.

Greek Lessons is a tender love letter to human connection, a novel to awaken the senses, vividly conjuring the essence of what it means to be alive.

Translated by Deborah Smith and e. yaewon.

Shortlisted for the Warwick Prize for Women in Translation 2024

'Another stunning gem: quiet, sharply faceted, and devastating' Kirkus

'Han Kang is a writer like no other. In a few lines, she seems to traverse the entirety of human experience' Katie Kitamura

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Greek Lessons about?

Book of the Year 2023 according to New Yorker, TIME magazine, Kirkus

A powerful novel of the saving grace of language and human connection, from the Nobel Prize-winning author of The Vegetarian.

'Breathtaking . . . She is simply my favourite living writer to read, and think with, and see the world with' Max Porter

In a classroom in Seoul, a young woman watches her Greek language teacher at the blackboard. She tries to speak but has lost her voice. Her teacher finds himself drawn to the silent woman, for day by day he is losing his sight.

Soon they discover a deeper pain binds them. For her, in the space of just a few months, she has lost both her mother and the custody battle for her nine-year-old son. For him, it's the pain of growing up between Korea and Germany, being torn between two cultures and languages.

Greek Lessons is a tender love letter to human connection, a novel to awaken the senses, vividly conjuring the essence of what it means to be alive.

Translated by Deborah Smith and e. yaewon.

Shortlisted for the Warwick Prize for Women in Translation 2024

'Another stunning gem: quiet, sharply faceted, and devastating' Kirkus

'Han Kang is a writer like no other. In a few lines, she seems to traverse the entirety of human experience' Katie Kitamura

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Greek Lessons?

Fiction > Fiction: literary and general non-genre > Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general

Where can I read a sample of Greek Lessons?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780241600276

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Greek Lessons?

Han Kang

Who is the Publisher of the book Greek Lessons?

Penguin Books Ltd

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Greek Lessons is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780241600276) and paperback(ISBN 9780241997062) and ebook(ISBN 9780241997079) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780241997260)

Where can I buy Greek Lessons online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Greek Lessons from below

Where can I buy Greek Lessons?