ANTHOLOGY OF KOREAN POETRY

by Peter H. Lee ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 13, 1964

To say that the first comprehensive collection of Korean poetry in English is also the best may be both nonsensical and premature, but this compilation and translation by Professor Lee invites such superlatives for the competence with which a virtually unknown literary wealth is introduced to the Western reader. From the religious origins of Buddhistic Silla poetry (57B.C.) through the flourishing of new vernacular genres in the Koryo and Yi Dynasties to the electic twentieth century poetry, the entire range of verse in the Korean tongue is represented and nearly every piece is placed in historical and cultural context. The classical sijo form, a tight, controlled three-line poem, has its impact in finely textured, evocative imagery; while the long, looser prose-poems (kasa) bring the ubiquitous themes of nature and religion into a more colloquial grasp. Definitely Oriental with marks of Chinese influence and hints of Japanese similarities, the verse is even more definitely and distinctly Korean, wedded in an almost folkloric way to the peninsular culture. Whether or not a sole translator can be true to such a literary breadth seems secondary in the case of this Korean scholar, for he has, in fact, produced perceptive, poetic renditions of nearly every genre. The anthology is not only a valuable Oriental source book; it is, first and foremost, poetry -- and very good poetry at that.

Pub Date: May 13, 1964

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: John Day

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1964

Categories: NONFICTION