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Bae Su-ah
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Nowhere to Be Found Kindle Edition

by Bae Suah (Author), Sora Kim-Russell (Translator) Format: Kindle Edition
3.4 out of 5 stars 437 ratings

Nominated for the PEN Translation Prize and the Best Translated Book Award

A nameless narrator passes through her life, searching for meaning and connection in experiences she barely feels. For her, time and identity blur, and all action is reaction. She can’t quite understand what motivates others to take life seriously enough to focus on anything—for her existence is a loosely woven tapestry of fleeting concepts. From losing her virginity to mindless jobs and a splintered, unsupportive family, the lessons learned have less to do with the reality we all share and more to do with the truth of the imagination, which is where the narrator focuses to discover herself.

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  1. Print length
    109 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Amazon Crossing
  4. Publication date
    April 14, 2015
  5. File size
    666 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“The creation of a second Cheolsu whose existence is neither proved nor disproved is typical of Bae’s refusal of narrative. The mystery, like the achievement of the book, occurs not in space, but in time.” —The National

“A compact, personal account of anomie and withdrawal in a time of rapid social and economic change…an easily digested short book that nevertheless feels much very substantial—a very full story. Impressive, and well worthwhile.” —The Complete Review

About the Author

Bae Suah was born in Seoul in 1965. After majoring in chemistry as an undergrad, she became a writer at the relatively late age of twenty-eight. Her first short story, which she wrote while learning how to type on a word processor, was published in a literary magazine. Prior to that, she had never taken any creative writing or literature classes. Highway with Green Apples, published in Korean in 1995 and published in the Day One journal in December 2013 in English, is one of her first works. She continued to publish over the years, and in 2001 she moved to Berlin, where she took a break from writing to learn German. In 2008, she began translating German literature into Korean, beginning with Martin Walser’s Angstblute. Suah has also translated two works by W. G. Sebald, one of her favorite German writers (Nach der Natur: Ein Elementargedicht and Schwindel. Gefüehle, both forthcoming). She is also a fan of the Portuguese writer Fernando Pessoa and is currently translating The Book of Disquiet.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00OV403X0
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Amazon Crossing (April 14, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 14, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 666 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 109 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1477827552
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.4 out of 5 stars 437 ratings

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Bae Su-ah

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Customer reviews

3.4 out of 5 stars
437 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book deeply compelling, with one describing it as an excellent short Korean novella. The writing quality receives positive feedback, with one customer noting the author's powerful portrayal of alienation and poverty. The narrative receives mixed reactions, with one customer appreciating how it portrays a striking world of loneliness, while another finds it confusing.

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6 customers mention "Engrossedness"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book deeply compelling, with one describing it as an excellent short Korean novel.

"...It was interesting to get into particularly since I haven't read many books that provide an Asian perspective...." Read more

"...This novella is deeply compelling and powerfully written, and the style literally explodes off the page over the last five pages...." Read more

"Unusual story. But I tried" Read more

"This is a beautiful story and I'm so happy it's been translated into English." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, with one review highlighting its powerful novella style, while another notes how the author explores themes of alienation and poverty, and a third mentions the depth of the human psyche.

"...This novella is deeply compelling and powerfully written, and the style literally explodes off the page over the last five pages...." Read more

"...Perhaps because the depth of the human psyche, in terms of portraying a great emotional disconnect, was aptly rendered...." Read more

"...Bae Suah writers very well about alienation poverty and loneliness. Highly recommended" Read more

4 customers mention "Narrative quality"0 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the narrative of the book, with some appreciating its portrayal of loneliness, while others find it depressing and confusing.

"...While I am glad that it was short (the story is a little depressing)..." Read more

"The narrative is a bit confusing, but it does portray a striking world of loneliness, hopelessness, and vulnerability." Read more

"...It's stagnant and goes nowhere. Seems a picture of depression. Three more words." Read more

"...Nothing happened. Everything happened. The despair was never ending. I am not sure what I just rwad...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Dukes
    3.0 out of 5 stars Keep it short and simple
    Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    This was a very interesting read. Very short, which you can get through in a couple of hours. It was interesting to get into particularly since I haven't read many books that provide an Asian perspective. While I am glad that it was short (the story is a little depressing) it would have been interesting if the author had provided more of a backstory about how and why the family ended up in their predicament. I would recommend it if you're looking for something short but somewhat engrossing to read.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • trailrunner
    5.0 out of 5 stars Deeply compelling and powerfully written novella
    Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Han Kang is fantastic, of course, and the Nobel justly given. However, it would be a mistake not to look at one of the equally powerful contemporary voices of South Korean writing, Bae Suah. This novella is deeply compelling and powerfully written, and the style literally explodes off the page over the last five pages. A tale of a working class young woman struggling to create some kind of life for herself while dodging the abuses of society and aloof men, Nowhere to be Found shines light on gender and economic disparities simultaneously but without beating the reader over the head. If you're working your way through South Korean writing, or in particular women writers from South Korea, Nowhere to be Found would be an afternoon well spent.
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  • Martie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    The translator did a wonderful job of relaying the writer's words. Perhaps because the depth of the human psyche, in terms of portraying a great emotional disconnect, was aptly rendered. Well, of course this is my subjective opinion. To be sure, this wonderful translation is due, in large part, to Bae being an exceptional writer.

    Bae’s story telling skills in _Nowhere to Be Found_ demonstrate one adept at challenging the notion of complacency, blind acceptance, and sleepwalking through life, so to speak. I found this novella to be a blend of reality and a touch of surrealism that frames the protagonist’s journey into and around her quest to grapple with her existence. Superb!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Spiria
    3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    The narrative is a bit confusing, but it does portray a striking world of loneliness, hopelessness, and vulnerability.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    2.0 out of 5 stars Dreary
    Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Don't know why she wrote this book. It's stagnant and goes

    nowhere. Seems a picture of depression. Three more words.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Mary Ann Tiers
    3.0 out of 5 stars odd story
    Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Unusual story. But I tried
    One person found this helpful
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  • Barry Welsh Seoul Book Club
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Short Korean novel
    Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I would recommend this novel to anyone interested in Korean literature. Bae Suah writers very well about alienation poverty and loneliness. Highly recommended
    2 people found this helpful
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  • caro579
    2.0 out of 5 stars Very Poor reading
    Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Was not worth my time to read it.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • DDDZ
    3.0 out of 5 stars A different sort of read.
    Reviewed in India on August 9, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    It’s a memoir of sorts. Retracing steps back to a certain period in one’s life. Certainly dark and depressing a read. Can finish it in a matter of two rain swept nights. Certain parts are haunting and outright sad. Pay attention to the part where she heads to meet Kim with the chicken in a paper bag. It’s beautiful and poignant. I recommend this book.
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  • Marc Simao
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on January 11, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    A good read!
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  • CloselyObservedEnglish
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good for a novella (which is not my usual thing).
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 8, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    'Nowhere to be Found' is, essentially, a novella without much of a plot but in possession of a theme or two - loneliness, abandonment for starters - and blessed with the kind of twist you'll likely not see coming, one that will stick with you for a while. It only takes a short afternoon to read from start to finish, and if you get it for the low price that amazon are listing it at, it's good value for money. I'd probably rate it at four stars had it been longer.
    Report
  • Oystershell Publishing
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very fast shipping and beautiful book.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 22, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Very interesting and fast read, book in excellent condition and arrived very quickly.
    Report
  • Megatron
    3.0 out of 5 stars Weird, but good
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 2, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This novella is like a sequence of scenes, rather than a complete story, but was enjoyable, if a little confusing?
    Report

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