All Things Under the Moon
Beginning in 1924, Na-Young and her friend Yeon-Soo are living in a small village in Korea under Japanese occupation. When the widowed Yeon-Soo’s young son dies, her precarious status in the household of her in-laws makes it impossible to stay; Na-Young’s father arranges an unwanted marriage for her. These two events prompt the girls to run away. But life on the run is dangerous, and they are at the mercy of Japanese soldiers. A devastating event brings Na-Young back home to accept her fate, while Yeon-Soo continues a vagabond life. They lose touch, but that emotional bond remains with Na-Young throughout the novel. Even after Na-Young settles into marriage, her goal of adventure and seeking a better life doesn’t end. Learning to read and write proves invaluable to her on her quest to find fulfillment.
Headless Chicken, a favorite character early in the novel, adds a touch of levity to this serious novel. A botched beheading leaves the chicken with enough remaining of its brain stem to live and run around headless. People from miles around would pay Yeon-Soo’s mother-in-law for the privilege of seeing this miracle chicken. Headless Chicken accompanies Na-Young and Yeon-Soo on their adventure into the unknown countryside and plays a role in saving their lives.
The many lifelike, secondary characters that Na-Young meets over the years are ordinary Koreans struggling to live under Japanese control and the suppression of their culture and language – some with acceptance, some with resistance. Danger and adventure follow Na-Young as she falls in with a Japanese resistance group. A teahouse in Seoul makes a wonderful setting for the comings and goings of these characters and a hub for resistance activities. This gripping novel is well-rounded in historical facts and compelling characters, including strong bonds between women, while highlighting this tragic piece of Korean history.
