By Sowon Jessica Moon
Courage, strength and faith are lacking in properly describing this captivating story of a Korean-American woman who goes through a journey to help save her family members escape a communist society, in her latest novel, In The Absence of Sun.
In Lee’s first novel, “Still Life with Rice”, she throws caution to the wind and, with no harm intended, tells the story of her uncle Yong Woon Lee, a man who was separated from his mother and Helie Lee’s grandmother decades ago in an attempt to escape from North Korea. Unknowingly North Korea had acquired a copy of Lee’s novel. Soon, attention was brought upon them in a place where it is better to not be known. Feeling responsible and knowing her grandmother’s dying wish to see her son again, Lee, her father, and her grandmother trek to North Korea alongside Choi Soon Man, a guide who helps them to find loopholes to lead Yong Woon Lee and eight other family members to freedom.
Though the reader can already assume the trials ahead, as the story progresses the reader is dispirited to find a lot more problems arise than pre-determined. Throughout the story, there is a continuous feeling of helplessness with peril incessantly lingering around the corner. Lee captures readers not only by the essence of the story itself, but by illustrating the journey in such a vivid way. It is as if the reader is right there with Lee, through her flaws, angst, frustration, fear, and determination. As if words weren’t enough, she also includes photographs. Whether born Korean or not, readers can connect with Lee as an admiration develops for her astounding persistence. Lee sufficiently informs readers of North and South Korean history and the worn hearts which yearn for the two Koreans to one day reunite. She also goes on to let non-Koreans in on Korean culture as well as her struggle to break away from the confines of tradition all the while keeping her roots close to her in America.
This heartfelt novel was riveting and spellbinding; though the ending can be logically assumed, the length at which Lee had gone to save her family was remarkable. It is in a novel such as this that we realize how much we take for granted. In many ways the reader may feel discomfited to grumble about such trivial matters when so much more is going on in a world we at times fail to acknowledge. In the Absence of Sun incorporates history, culture, thrill, pain and joy all in one single novel. To read this novel and not appreciate it to its full extent would be a shame.