Violets

"South Korean star author Kyung-Sook Shin’s 2001 novel, newly translated into English, might not be an easy read, but it’s a great one. The book follows San, a woman still reeling from a romantic rejection years prior and who becomes obsessed with a photographer that visits her flower shop. Shin’s prose is spare but effective, and she explores dark themes beautifully. This is a smart, shocking novel from one of South Korea’s most talented authors."