Banned Book Club - Hyun Sook | Ko Hyung-Ju | Ryan Estrada

'Banned Book Club' - Hyun Sook | Ko Hyung-Ju | Ryan Estrada - (192 pages, English, softcover, published by Iron Circus Comics)

Banned Book Club

South Korea 1983: against her mother's wishes, Kim begins studying English literature at the local university. While her first class has yet to start, she is confronted with student protests against President Chun. She does not fully understand what the students are demonstrating against, but that changes when she is invited to join a book club, the Banned Book Club. She soon realizes that not all books are permitted by the government and that students are being monitored. Together with the members of the Banned Book Club, Kim becomes involved in the protests and the distribution of banned books, and this is not without danger…

Kim Hyun Sook

'The Banned Book Club' is a semi-autobiographical graphic novel by Kim Hyun Sook, who experienced the repressive military regime in South Korea up close as a student in the 1980s. And although the book strings together many historical events, it does so in a very organic and pleasantly readable manner. We read history through the characters, with the writers (Kim Hyun Sook / Ryan Estrada) skillfully managing to avoid 'dry information'. Additionally, the artwork by comic artist Hyung-Ju Ko keeps the pace going and gives the book a lot of character. An intriguing introduction to this dark chapter in South Korean history.

"Highly recommended for readers passionate about activism or political history, or for those who are simply looking for an excellent comic book." - School Library Journal