River Boy
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Description
Book Introduction
Bestseller in the youth category for 17 consecutive years The ultimate coming-of-age novel that transcends time and generations. It has already been 17 years since the introduction of the quintessential coming-of-age novel, River Boy, which won the Carnegie Medal unanimously, beating out Harry Potter, in Korea. First-time readers who couldn't forget the heartbreaking farewell journey between a dying grandfather and his fifteen-year-old granddaughter, Jess, are now rereading "River Boy" with their own children. "River Boy," read by children and adults alike across generations, has established itself as a true classic of our time. To celebrate the 120th printing of the Korean edition, this completely revised edition, featuring a new format and cover, has been refined to make it more accessible to today's teenagers, enhancing its quality and perfection as a long-term bestseller. |
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Preview
Detailed image
Into the book
The picture was strange and formless.
Yet, it somehow possesses an eerie beauty.
On the banks of the river, a faint green light, barely visible, lingered, and the green, blending with the pale color of the river, continued out to the sea.
There were no animals, no birds, no people.
But it felt natural in its own way.
From a distance, it seemed as if there was no space for living things anywhere in the painting.
Somehow, it felt like the long and intense summer had passed and fall was slowly approaching.
“Do you know what the title is?”
It was a voice that resonated subtly.
She was so indifferent and neat that her mother's excitement was completely reflected in her.
Jess knew why.
To give a title to a painting… … .
My grandfather never gave any of his paintings a title.
My grandfather just painted pictures and let the viewer feel what he was painting.
Mom turned the picture around and pointed to the letters Grandpa had scribbled.
Jess read it out loud.
“Riverboy.”
--- pp.31-32
Then he suddenly appeared.
A boy standing at the top of a waterfall with a blue sky in the background.
He was very tall, and although I couldn't see his exact features because of the blinding sunlight, it was clear that he was a boy.
The boy was wearing only black shorts.
No, actually I wasn't even sure about that.
What should I do?
Jess stood still, staring at him, not knowing whether the boy had seen her or not.
The boy didn't move and didn't seem to look at Jess.
He just stood there motionless, as if he were part of the water.
Suddenly, Jess realized that the boy was not standing at the edge of the valley, but in the middle of the rapids.
What happened? How can you stand so calmly in the midst of such a powerful current?
I opened my eyes to get a closer look, but the sunlight made my eyes start to water.
He blinked and rubbed his eyes a few times, then raised his head again towards the boy.
But the boy was already gone.
What could have happened? Jess remained motionless for several minutes, looking around and listening intently.
I waited for the boy to reappear, but he was nowhere to be found.
Jess suddenly felt anxious and nervous and ran towards the villa.
--- pp.99-100
“Why are you crying?”
The boy asked again.
Jess placed one hand against the flowing water.
I wasn't ready to open up to the strange boy yet, so I asked a question instead of answering.
“Who are you?”
The boy tried to answer, but suddenly, a desperate and urgent feeling welled up in him that he couldn't understand, and Jess ended up stopping him.
You know, I don't want to know who you are yet.
“Don’t say anything.”
Jess muttered this, embarrassed by her own attitude.
He lowered his eyes, feeling more embarrassed than before, and spoke again in a crawling voice.
“Don’t tell me who you are.
Just let it remain a mystery a little longer.
“I don’t have the confidence to accept the truth anymore.”
--- p.167
I couldn't understand.
The still-foggy river was shining in the center of the painting, but perhaps because of the black dots above and below, the painting looked quite different from the image I had first seen.
Grandfather's upper right part
I covered it with black spots and then filled in the left side again.
It was still black.
How much time has passed?
Before I knew it, beads of sweat were forming on my grandfather's face, and after much effort, the task of covering his upper left side with black spots was finally completed.
Grandfather had a somewhat satisfied look on his face.
Jess now wondered which part of her grandfather would cover in black next.
The lower left part remains.
Grandpa sat back in his chair and looked at Jess.
“It’s over.”
It was three hours after I started drawing.
Both of them were exhausted.
Jess looked at her grandfather, then turned her eyes to the painting that had made them both so tired.
The boy was still not visible.
--- pp.190-191
“Why are you crying?”
Jess turned her head in surprise.
It was River Boy.
It was just a few steps away.
He was floating in the water, paddling his legs, just like Jess.
But it didn't seem as painful or difficult as Jess.
He was full of energy, like someone who had just jumped into the water, and his eyes were filled with confidence and joy.
He swam closer to Jess, his gaze fixed on her.
And then he stopped within arm's reach and spoke softly again.
“Did you think I wouldn’t wait for you?”
Jess was still crying.
The waves that gently rolled in from the sea and passed over Jess, and Jess cried so much that her tears formed the waves.
Then he tried to talk to the boy.
I tried to explain my feelings to him.
But he smiled and shook his head.
“Don’t say it.
No need to say.
“Just swim a little more with me.”
He turned sideways and began to swim toward the sea.
Yet, it somehow possesses an eerie beauty.
On the banks of the river, a faint green light, barely visible, lingered, and the green, blending with the pale color of the river, continued out to the sea.
There were no animals, no birds, no people.
But it felt natural in its own way.
From a distance, it seemed as if there was no space for living things anywhere in the painting.
Somehow, it felt like the long and intense summer had passed and fall was slowly approaching.
“Do you know what the title is?”
It was a voice that resonated subtly.
She was so indifferent and neat that her mother's excitement was completely reflected in her.
Jess knew why.
To give a title to a painting… … .
My grandfather never gave any of his paintings a title.
My grandfather just painted pictures and let the viewer feel what he was painting.
Mom turned the picture around and pointed to the letters Grandpa had scribbled.
Jess read it out loud.
“Riverboy.”
--- pp.31-32
Then he suddenly appeared.
A boy standing at the top of a waterfall with a blue sky in the background.
He was very tall, and although I couldn't see his exact features because of the blinding sunlight, it was clear that he was a boy.
The boy was wearing only black shorts.
No, actually I wasn't even sure about that.
What should I do?
Jess stood still, staring at him, not knowing whether the boy had seen her or not.
The boy didn't move and didn't seem to look at Jess.
He just stood there motionless, as if he were part of the water.
Suddenly, Jess realized that the boy was not standing at the edge of the valley, but in the middle of the rapids.
What happened? How can you stand so calmly in the midst of such a powerful current?
I opened my eyes to get a closer look, but the sunlight made my eyes start to water.
He blinked and rubbed his eyes a few times, then raised his head again towards the boy.
But the boy was already gone.
What could have happened? Jess remained motionless for several minutes, looking around and listening intently.
I waited for the boy to reappear, but he was nowhere to be found.
Jess suddenly felt anxious and nervous and ran towards the villa.
--- pp.99-100
“Why are you crying?”
The boy asked again.
Jess placed one hand against the flowing water.
I wasn't ready to open up to the strange boy yet, so I asked a question instead of answering.
“Who are you?”
The boy tried to answer, but suddenly, a desperate and urgent feeling welled up in him that he couldn't understand, and Jess ended up stopping him.
You know, I don't want to know who you are yet.
“Don’t say anything.”
Jess muttered this, embarrassed by her own attitude.
He lowered his eyes, feeling more embarrassed than before, and spoke again in a crawling voice.
“Don’t tell me who you are.
Just let it remain a mystery a little longer.
“I don’t have the confidence to accept the truth anymore.”
--- p.167
I couldn't understand.
The still-foggy river was shining in the center of the painting, but perhaps because of the black dots above and below, the painting looked quite different from the image I had first seen.
Grandfather's upper right part
I covered it with black spots and then filled in the left side again.
It was still black.
How much time has passed?
Before I knew it, beads of sweat were forming on my grandfather's face, and after much effort, the task of covering his upper left side with black spots was finally completed.
Grandfather had a somewhat satisfied look on his face.
Jess now wondered which part of her grandfather would cover in black next.
The lower left part remains.
Grandpa sat back in his chair and looked at Jess.
“It’s over.”
It was three hours after I started drawing.
Both of them were exhausted.
Jess looked at her grandfather, then turned her eyes to the painting that had made them both so tired.
The boy was still not visible.
--- pp.190-191
“Why are you crying?”
Jess turned her head in surprise.
It was River Boy.
It was just a few steps away.
He was floating in the water, paddling his legs, just like Jess.
But it didn't seem as painful or difficult as Jess.
He was full of energy, like someone who had just jumped into the water, and his eyes were filled with confidence and joy.
He swam closer to Jess, his gaze fixed on her.
And then he stopped within arm's reach and spoke softly again.
“Did you think I wouldn’t wait for you?”
Jess was still crying.
The waves that gently rolled in from the sea and passed over Jess, and Jess cried so much that her tears formed the waves.
Then he tried to talk to the boy.
I tried to explain my feelings to him.
But he smiled and shook his head.
“Don’t say it.
No need to say.
“Just swim a little more with me.”
He turned sideways and began to swim toward the sea.
--- pp.230-231
Publisher's Review
“I never even thought about choosing another book.” _Carnegie Medal Selection Committee
Winner of the Carnegie Medal by unanimous vote, beating out Harry Potter
A classic of our time that has touched the souls of teenagers in 21 countries around the world.
The popularity of "River Boy," which moved not only our country but also the entire world, still holds true for today's youth and their parents' generation.
Every year, it is selected as a recommended book for young people, and 『River Boy』 is always mentioned in ‘Recommended lists of impressive novels read during childhood.’
Despite being a young adult novel, why has River Boy been consistently loved across generations for 17 years in a recent trend where provocative or suggestive material is rampant?
This may be because the intense and sorrowful experience of eternal separation due to 'death', which everyone experiences in life, was not simply depicted as endless sadness and despair.
"River Boy" talks about the moment of loss and the "gift of life" that comes afterward.
Through the memories of the protagonist Jess, who accepts the eternal separation from her grandfather, the film teaches teenagers who will have to go through countless encounters and separations in the future how to move forward with a smile after true mourning.
“Like a river that never stops flowing no matter how many rocks it encounters,” everyone comes to realize that life flows beautifully based on love and memories.
This is an excellent work that presents profound insights into life and death in a way that is neither too heavy nor too light, yet is suitable for teenagers.
In this respect, 『River Boy』, which is suitable for various reading activities such as 'How are life and death connected?' and 'How to healthily overcome the sadness of parting with a loved one,' is also the book most recommended by teachers to students.
This is because it is a novel that will be a profound read for children who have not yet experienced the death or separation of those around them, but are beginning to understand the concept.
Moreover, in these days when we are easily distracted by short and fast-paced video content, this novel allows us to experience the pleasure of reading 'slowly and deeply' with its gentle development, beautiful scenery, and delicate emotional lines.
A very special farewell journey between a dying grandfather and his fifteen-year-old granddaughter.
And a mysterious boy I met on my travels
The main character, Jess, has just turned fifteen.
But in that glorious time, for the first time in his life, he is gripped by the fear of losing someone precious to him.
After her grandfather, who had been her love's protector and pillar of support, collapsed from a heart attack, ominous feelings began to gradually become reality.
Having barely regained his strength, the grandfather urges his family to go on a trip he had prepared in advance, and thus begins a very special farewell journey between the grandfather, who is facing death, and his fifteen-year-old granddaughter.
A mysterious boy who keeps coming across in his beautiful hometown, where his grandfather spent his childhood.
The encounter with the boy leads the journey to a completely unexpected direction… … .
“I read it once as a student, once as an adult, and again as a parent.
“River Boy” is a book that will be with me every moment of my life.”
As one reader commented, "River Boy" has a different depth and resonance at each turning point in life.
Every time I read "River Boy," I find great comfort and courage in the pain of separation that I never get used to no matter how many times I repeat it, and in the life that must continue to flow afterward.
It tells readers the 'secret of life' that even if a loved one is no longer by our side, the memories of love do not disappear, and that those memories will become a warm source of strength for us as we continue on our long journey.
Just as one door closes and another opens, this coming-of-age novel brilliantly addresses the theme of how, after letting go of a painful moment that seems unbearable, you can discover another gift life has in store for you. It's a coming-of-age novel that brilliantly addresses the theme, tailored to the perspective of young people.
Winner of the Carnegie Medal by unanimous vote, beating out Harry Potter
A classic of our time that has touched the souls of teenagers in 21 countries around the world.
The popularity of "River Boy," which moved not only our country but also the entire world, still holds true for today's youth and their parents' generation.
Every year, it is selected as a recommended book for young people, and 『River Boy』 is always mentioned in ‘Recommended lists of impressive novels read during childhood.’
Despite being a young adult novel, why has River Boy been consistently loved across generations for 17 years in a recent trend where provocative or suggestive material is rampant?
This may be because the intense and sorrowful experience of eternal separation due to 'death', which everyone experiences in life, was not simply depicted as endless sadness and despair.
"River Boy" talks about the moment of loss and the "gift of life" that comes afterward.
Through the memories of the protagonist Jess, who accepts the eternal separation from her grandfather, the film teaches teenagers who will have to go through countless encounters and separations in the future how to move forward with a smile after true mourning.
“Like a river that never stops flowing no matter how many rocks it encounters,” everyone comes to realize that life flows beautifully based on love and memories.
This is an excellent work that presents profound insights into life and death in a way that is neither too heavy nor too light, yet is suitable for teenagers.
In this respect, 『River Boy』, which is suitable for various reading activities such as 'How are life and death connected?' and 'How to healthily overcome the sadness of parting with a loved one,' is also the book most recommended by teachers to students.
This is because it is a novel that will be a profound read for children who have not yet experienced the death or separation of those around them, but are beginning to understand the concept.
Moreover, in these days when we are easily distracted by short and fast-paced video content, this novel allows us to experience the pleasure of reading 'slowly and deeply' with its gentle development, beautiful scenery, and delicate emotional lines.
A very special farewell journey between a dying grandfather and his fifteen-year-old granddaughter.
And a mysterious boy I met on my travels
The main character, Jess, has just turned fifteen.
But in that glorious time, for the first time in his life, he is gripped by the fear of losing someone precious to him.
After her grandfather, who had been her love's protector and pillar of support, collapsed from a heart attack, ominous feelings began to gradually become reality.
Having barely regained his strength, the grandfather urges his family to go on a trip he had prepared in advance, and thus begins a very special farewell journey between the grandfather, who is facing death, and his fifteen-year-old granddaughter.
A mysterious boy who keeps coming across in his beautiful hometown, where his grandfather spent his childhood.
The encounter with the boy leads the journey to a completely unexpected direction… … .
“I read it once as a student, once as an adult, and again as a parent.
“River Boy” is a book that will be with me every moment of my life.”
As one reader commented, "River Boy" has a different depth and resonance at each turning point in life.
Every time I read "River Boy," I find great comfort and courage in the pain of separation that I never get used to no matter how many times I repeat it, and in the life that must continue to flow afterward.
It tells readers the 'secret of life' that even if a loved one is no longer by our side, the memories of love do not disappear, and that those memories will become a warm source of strength for us as we continue on our long journey.
Just as one door closes and another opens, this coming-of-age novel brilliantly addresses the theme of how, after letting go of a painful moment that seems unbearable, you can discover another gift life has in store for you. It's a coming-of-age novel that brilliantly addresses the theme, tailored to the perspective of young people.
GOODS SPECIFICS
- Date of issue: May 10, 2024
- Page count, weight, size: 260 pages | 396g | 140*205*15mm
- ISBN13: 9791130671024
- ISBN10: 113067102X
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