Welcome to Litsy!

(2020, Korean original 2013)

It starts out as a business novel set in the tourism industry, then at about halfway it takes a sharp turn into Kafkaland. The plot twist is both bizarre and scary plausible. I'd read more.

When life takes away the internet, read a book!

A bizarre tale about Yona who works as a travel agent for a company specialising in tours to disaster stricken areas and what she uncovers when she herself is bribed to go on one of those tours...

Really loved this one. Wild turn of events halfway through. Definitely recommend it. I hope more of this author's work is translated in the future. Don't skip over the really sweet afterward written by the author talking about her excitement for one of her books to be translated. :)

Finally upgraded my bookcase situation after redoing my room. This is Kallax the Larger. Kallax the Smaller is also around behind me. I am happeh for the shelf space. Yes that's nutella.

#bookcase #bookshelf

I understand Yona on a deep and personal level. 🤣🤣🤣

My reading buddy is sleepy.

#catsoflitsy

The writing in this book is something I didn't know I needed. Props to the translator.

Written in 2013 & translated from Korean, a satire of the tourism industry that takes the reader on a wild ride. Our MC Yona works for a disaster tourism company, where tourists can decide between a variety of disaster sites, affected by tsunamis, drought, fires, etc. She is sent to evaluate a poorly performing site, and after a twist, the story drags Yona & the reader into an alternate reality. Lots to sit with in this short, strange book.

Interesting so far. I'm itching to see where this goes. The premise of disaster tourism is fascinating.

Yona designs ethically questionable tourism experiences. She wants to hold onto her job, and not be sexually harassed at work. Work sends her to Mui - an underperforming disaster holiday destination- ostensibly to evaluate a resort. Chaos ensues.

Before the early morning commute

Yona works for a travel agency specializing in destinations devastated by disaster and climate change. She goes on a business trip to a fictional island, to determine if her employer should keep it on the program. The islanders‘ stories of trauma and grief raise nothing but a feeling of boredom in Yona and her fellow travelers. The disaster experienced is just not shocking enough. This is the beginning of an original and entertaining eco-thriller.

Yona‘s job is to create itineraries for disaster tourism. She ends up on a tour offered by her company and things go a bit sideways. This is a truly unique book with lots of social commentary. I really enjoyed it.

#ReadingAsia2021 #SouthKorea

#dogsofLitsy #Bindi

I couldn‘t wait any longer and opened my #jolabokaflodswap! Such great choices dear Liz 💕. I‘ve been intrigued by the tagged book and extremely happy with it! The belated birthday gift is spot-on too. It‘s a #1001books that is out of print here while it has been on my radar for years since I loved another book by El Saadawi. Also - the MoMA bookmarks are fantastic and the chocolate looks cool and delicious! I am in for the perfect evening! 😘

Translated from Korean this tells the story of Yona Ko, who works for Jungle, a travel agency that specializes in trips that tour destinations hit by disaster. She decides to take one of the company‘s trips and finds herself in a crazy pants situation. This would be a good book club pick because there‘d be a lot to discuss. It‘s a pick. Also, I voted today.

1. Disaster Tourism? Why would you?
2. Something sweet. Because I am owned by a sweet tooth.
3. 1998. To tell yourself that when you pull over on the side of the road so your brother can pee, to make sure and not let that lottery ticket fly out. Cause next year when a winning lottery goes unclaimed and was bought from the gas station you filled up, on the date you left to go back home from your first year of college, you‘re gonna kick yourself.

Most awesome weirdness.

https://wellreadneck.wordpress.com/2020/09/01/the-disaster-tourist-yun-ko-eun/

I finished this gem on — hmm — yesterday? The day before? What is time anymore??

ANYWAY, this book was fantastic. I don‘t remember how it got on my TBR, but I bought it for #WomenInTranslation month and I‘m so glad I did. The overall lesson was that we have to take communal responsibility for ourselves and those around us. Deeply felt in this time of American individualism leading to a never ending battle with COVID.

#IntegrateYourShelf

I've read other climate fiction, but this was unlike anything I‘ve read. Dark and bizarre, I thought Yun Ko-Eun‘s THE DISASTER TOURIST was great read for summer especially for those looking for something different. And great pick for #WITmonth

Full Review: https://www.instagram.com/p/CDmatWuAieb/?igshid=2bfsou183fqn

I didn‘t plan on reading this book, but I‘m glad it popped up on my radar. This is Yun Ko-Eun‘s first novel to be translated into English. After a decade dedicated to her job arranging travel packages to disaster sites, Yona Ko finds herself stranded and questioning her allegiance to her employer. More than just a critique of eco-tourism and cutthroat corporations, this novel stares into the abyss and mystery of life. 🌊 🌴

It's #IntegrateYourShelf time!

The tagged book (translated from Korean) came out this week, it's one of my most anticipated #WomenInTranslationMonth reads -- I just need to buy it. 😄

Also tagging a book in the comments that just became digitally available to me from my library. It has been translated from Japanese.

I'd like to find some SE Asian literature in translation -- anyone have a suggestion?

I really enjoyed this novel! Yona works for Jungle, a travel company that specializes in sending tourists to areas affected by disasters. Want to visit a city wrecked by a tsunami? Or a village that have fell into a sink hole? I'm actually surprised this isn't a thing (or is it? I mean, I want to go to the Lizzie Borden B&B). Yona ends up taking a trip on the company dime after some truly awful sexual advances by her boss (con't below)

Enjoyed this super weird and original novel. It does slow a bit in the middle, but the crazy wind up in the end is worth it. #ARC #Netgalley

Eh. Interesting concept, strong start, so-so finish. It felt a bit too much like the author suddenly remembered that she was Saying Something, but only after the story had wandered away from that particular message, so the sudden shift back just didn‘t work for me.
#ARC