Author and translator discuss the surreal and chilling stories in 'Your Utopia', exploring themes of patriarchy, capitalism, and big tech. They delve into the essence of humanity through science fiction elements like robots and machines, the complexities of translating science fiction literature, and the unattainable ideal of utopia. The chapter also navigates the fame and challenges faced by the authors as their book gains international recognition.
Chung's 'Your Utopia' explores human essence through futuristic settings and dark humor.
Translator Hur admires Chung's raw energy, finding joy in translating her unrestrained artistry.
Deep dives
Boracham's Blend of Horror and Dark Humor in 'Your Utopia'
Boracham's new collection of short stories, 'Your Utopia,' showcases a blend of horror, absurdity, and dark humor. Set in near and distant futures, the stories explore familiar settings reflecting deep fears and desires. Compared to previous works, these stories are more sci-fi, featuring robots, zombies, and human complexities.
Anton Her's Appreciation for Boracham's Unique Writing Style
Anton Her, the translator, is drawn to Boracham's writing style for its textured nature, embracing uniqueness and rawness over polished perfection. Her bold energy and storytelling captivate Her, making the translation process a joy. The 'Your Utopia' collection particularly excites Her due to Boracham's unrestrained artistry and the challenge it presents to translate.
Themes of Humanity and Relationships with Non-Human Beings
Boracham's stories in 'Your Utopia' delve into themes from a science fiction class she taught, focusing on what it means to be human and have a sense of self. Discussions on artificial intelligence, robots, and meaningful relationships with non-human entities influence her narratives. The storytelling reflects a deeper exploration of humanity and connections with other beings.
Exploring the Notion of Utopia and Human Imperfections
Through the conversation on utopia versus dystopia, Boracham highlights the unrealistic ideal of a perfect place. She emphasizes human imperfections, constant needs, and the inevitability of change that hinder utopian concepts. Instead, the journey towards idealism and collective human interactions define utopia, acknowledging the complexity and imperfections that shape humanity's essence.
January 30, 2024 - The author and translator of Cursed Bunny, a National Book Award and International Booker Prize Finalist, are back with a new collection of short stories.
A rising star of Korean literature, Bora Chung burst onto the American literary scene last year with the publication of her astounding debut, Cursed Bunny: Stories, translated by Anton Hur. Met with universal praise, these surreal, chilling fables that take on patriarchy, capitalism, and the reign of big tech were a National Book Award Finalist for Translated Literature and shortlisted for the International Booker Prize. Chung and Hur returns with her striking sophomore collection, Your Utopia: Stories.
Filled with Chung’s inimitable blend of horror, absurdity, and dark humor, and set in near and distant futures that reflect our deepest fears and desires, the stories in Your Utopia take place in different, off-kilter yet sometimes uncannily familiar settings. With Your Utopia, Chung hopes to provide readers with “a collection of stories that explore the limits of humanity to re-discover what it means to be human. Like all other works of science and speculative fiction, Your Utopia is ultimately about human beings: who we are and what we will be as the Anthropocene era reaches its peak and eventual demise.”
In this episode of Author Talks, Bora Chung is joined by Anton Hur to discuss her latest English publication.