Valley of Time
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Description
Book Introduction
“Kazuo Ishiguro, Ted Chiang,
“A remarkable debut, following in the footsteps of Haruki Murakami.” _Joe Harkin (author)
"A novel for everyone in need of hope in these turbulent times." _Kwak A-ram (journalist, author)
For those who didn't get a chance to say goodbye
A beautiful yet sad time travel
★★ Washington Post 50 Best Novels of 2024 ★★
★★ Selected as the Best Book of 2024 by Canada's public broadcaster CBC ★★
★★ Goodreads 2024 Choice Awards Nominees ★★
★★ PBS Book Club Selection ★★
★★ Universal Studios Filming Scheduled ★★
The novel "The Valley of Time," which received rave reviews such as "A dazzling debut (Toronto Star)", "A heart-wrenching philosophical thriller (New York Times)", and "A beautifully written triumph (Booklist)", immediately became a bestseller in major North American media outlets upon its publication, and was selected as one of the best books of 2024 by Canada's national broadcaster CBC and one of the 50 best novels of 2024 by The Washington Post, has been published by Dasan Books.
In 2024, the novelist debut of philosopher Scott Alexander Howard, who had been a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University, attracted the attention of publishers around the world.
The idea that 'if you go east, you're 20 years into the future, if you go west, you're 20 years into the past' was a hot topic from the manuscript stage, and as if it couldn't be missed, a major American publisher pursued a contract with an advance payment of hundreds of millions of won, which is unusual for a debut work.
This novel, which depicts the process of a man facing an inevitable fate in the face of a predicted loss, has been exported to France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, and other countries, and after a competition among 10 companies, it was finally confirmed to be adapted into a film by Universal Studios.
Even after its publication, the novel received enthusiastic support from readers and lived up to expectations.
British author Joe Harkin praised the novel, saying, “It’s a remarkable debut that will stand alongside Kazuo Ishiguro, Ted Chiang, and Haruki Murakami,” and journalist Kwak A-ram praised the novel, saying, “It’s a novel for everyone who needs hope in these turbulent times.”
“A remarkable debut, following in the footsteps of Haruki Murakami.” _Joe Harkin (author)
"A novel for everyone in need of hope in these turbulent times." _Kwak A-ram (journalist, author)
For those who didn't get a chance to say goodbye
A beautiful yet sad time travel
★★ Washington Post 50 Best Novels of 2024 ★★
★★ Selected as the Best Book of 2024 by Canada's public broadcaster CBC ★★
★★ Goodreads 2024 Choice Awards Nominees ★★
★★ PBS Book Club Selection ★★
★★ Universal Studios Filming Scheduled ★★
The novel "The Valley of Time," which received rave reviews such as "A dazzling debut (Toronto Star)", "A heart-wrenching philosophical thriller (New York Times)", and "A beautifully written triumph (Booklist)", immediately became a bestseller in major North American media outlets upon its publication, and was selected as one of the best books of 2024 by Canada's national broadcaster CBC and one of the 50 best novels of 2024 by The Washington Post, has been published by Dasan Books.
In 2024, the novelist debut of philosopher Scott Alexander Howard, who had been a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University, attracted the attention of publishers around the world.
The idea that 'if you go east, you're 20 years into the future, if you go west, you're 20 years into the past' was a hot topic from the manuscript stage, and as if it couldn't be missed, a major American publisher pursued a contract with an advance payment of hundreds of millions of won, which is unusual for a debut work.
This novel, which depicts the process of a man facing an inevitable fate in the face of a predicted loss, has been exported to France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, and other countries, and after a competition among 10 companies, it was finally confirmed to be adapted into a film by Universal Studios.
Even after its publication, the novel received enthusiastic support from readers and lived up to expectations.
British author Joe Harkin praised the novel, saying, “It’s a remarkable debut that will stand alongside Kazuo Ishiguro, Ted Chiang, and Haruki Murakami,” and journalist Kwak A-ram praised the novel, saying, “It’s a novel for everyone who needs hope in these turbulent times.”
- You can preview some of the book's contents.
Preview
index
Part 1
Part 2
Acknowledgements
Part 2
Acknowledgements
Detailed image
Into the book
I don't have many memories of my father, but when I think of him, I always think of the orchard on a summer day.
The sun was hot, but the air under the trees was cool and gentle.
My father and I walked through the orchard, hand in hand, barefoot.
As I strode briskly through the tall grass, ripe, fallen cherries burst beneath my feet, and each time, I felt as if I had become a giant of the slow, green earth.
When we reached the edge of the orchard, my father gave me a quick hug and carried me up the stone wall that marked the boundary of the orchard.
Then a desolate landscape unfolded before my eyes.
The fields of wild chives stretched endlessly toward the rounded foot of the mountain, and the sun shone whitely from behind the clouds.
Looking at that sight, I felt a feeling somewhat similar to a thrilling sadness.
From then on, whenever I looked at an open space or a desolate border area, I felt the same emotion.
That feeling of existing at the lonely edge of a familiar world.
--- p.20
I knew what it meant for Edme's parents to be here.
In reality, not as an essay topic, the only reason one could be approved to visit another valley was bereavement.
In the world of the Eastern Valley, where life had been lived 20 years beyond the mountains, Edme was undoubtedly dead.
The moment I recognized the Pira couple, I was relieved that they weren't the people who had come looking for me.
But now I feel guilty.
--- p.40
“You said that the judging program is about weighing other people’s sorrows...
If that becomes your job, you'll probably become more accustomed to sadness.
As if standing on the emotion called sadness.
Do you understand what I mean? Isn't it possible that he's trying to protect you from what your mother had to go through after your father's incident?"
--- p.117
“The present is fragile and can break at any time.”
--- p.133
“In order to nullify one’s own existence, one must first exist.
Am I right?”
Mr. Ibre opened his eyes very gently and answered.
"no.
If a man who has gone west intervenes there, time will wash over him like a wave and swallow him up, leaving nothing behind.
“Very simply and ruthlessly.”
--- p.137
When I was alone, I could separate the scene I had witnessed at the pond from my friendship with Edme.
As time passed and I thought about it, I wondered if the reason I fell in love with Edmé was because I knew what his future would be like, or if it was because I felt a secret sense of confidence or liberation.
But even while that was happening, I tried to keep myself in the dark, so that I wouldn't have to face the distant future yet.
How else can we know the certainty that cannot be known, the sadness that is forbidden even to speak of?
--- p.140
Perhaps it's even possible to craft the perfect warning? One that provides enough information to help Edmé avoid whatever event will occur next spring, yet is so subtle and perfect that, when the advisory body learns of it, they'll conclude my words were not intended.
Of course, striking a balance between the two was no easy task.
How can I give a subtle warning without bringing up the matter directly?
The sun was hot, but the air under the trees was cool and gentle.
My father and I walked through the orchard, hand in hand, barefoot.
As I strode briskly through the tall grass, ripe, fallen cherries burst beneath my feet, and each time, I felt as if I had become a giant of the slow, green earth.
When we reached the edge of the orchard, my father gave me a quick hug and carried me up the stone wall that marked the boundary of the orchard.
Then a desolate landscape unfolded before my eyes.
The fields of wild chives stretched endlessly toward the rounded foot of the mountain, and the sun shone whitely from behind the clouds.
Looking at that sight, I felt a feeling somewhat similar to a thrilling sadness.
From then on, whenever I looked at an open space or a desolate border area, I felt the same emotion.
That feeling of existing at the lonely edge of a familiar world.
--- p.20
I knew what it meant for Edme's parents to be here.
In reality, not as an essay topic, the only reason one could be approved to visit another valley was bereavement.
In the world of the Eastern Valley, where life had been lived 20 years beyond the mountains, Edme was undoubtedly dead.
The moment I recognized the Pira couple, I was relieved that they weren't the people who had come looking for me.
But now I feel guilty.
--- p.40
“You said that the judging program is about weighing other people’s sorrows...
If that becomes your job, you'll probably become more accustomed to sadness.
As if standing on the emotion called sadness.
Do you understand what I mean? Isn't it possible that he's trying to protect you from what your mother had to go through after your father's incident?"
--- p.117
“The present is fragile and can break at any time.”
--- p.133
“In order to nullify one’s own existence, one must first exist.
Am I right?”
Mr. Ibre opened his eyes very gently and answered.
"no.
If a man who has gone west intervenes there, time will wash over him like a wave and swallow him up, leaving nothing behind.
“Very simply and ruthlessly.”
--- p.137
When I was alone, I could separate the scene I had witnessed at the pond from my friendship with Edme.
As time passed and I thought about it, I wondered if the reason I fell in love with Edmé was because I knew what his future would be like, or if it was because I felt a secret sense of confidence or liberation.
But even while that was happening, I tried to keep myself in the dark, so that I wouldn't have to face the distant future yet.
How else can we know the certainty that cannot be known, the sadness that is forbidden even to speak of?
--- p.140
Perhaps it's even possible to craft the perfect warning? One that provides enough information to help Edmé avoid whatever event will occur next spring, yet is so subtle and perfect that, when the advisory body learns of it, they'll conclude my words were not intended.
Of course, striking a balance between the two was no easy task.
How can I give a subtle warning without bringing up the matter directly?
--- p.171
Publisher's Review
Before a choice that will change your destiny
How free can we be?
To the east is the same village, 20 years into the future, and to the west is the same village, 20 years into the past.
The villages are separated by barbed wire fences, so people cannot move freely.
It is only in order to soothe the grief of losing a loved one that one is permitted to secretly visit the villages of the past or future, with the permission of a high-ranking official, the Advisor.
But Odile Ozan, who lost her father when she was young, believes that even if she had the chance to visit another village, she would not do so, believing that visiting the past or the future would not bring her true comfort.
Then one day, Odile happens to see visitors from the eastern village and soon realizes that they are Edme's parents.
It was Odile, of all people, who learned that the death of Edme, whom she loved, was imminent.
Odile is hesitant to act, as preventing the planned event could alter the flow of time and cause chaos and extinction throughout the village.
Odile is torn between saving her loved ones and conforming to order… … .
Only those who have mourned enough know.
That only the present can save the past.
Everything in the world is destined to die or disappear, but humans suffer because they cannot accept this.
We should be able to grieve sufficiently when we lose someone.
No society can artificially prevent the pain of this loss.
Not outwardly grieving does not mean that the loss has not occurred, and mourning must precede living fully in reality.
However, in the world of 『The Valley of Time』, the 'mourning journey', which allows one to travel to another time zone to soothe their grief, is not given equally to everyone and is only permitted at the discretion of the advisor.
The society in the novel tries to control who can grieve, when, and how much.
As if they were intentionally trying to control sadness and alienate those who are suffering.
The protagonist, Odile, is a character completely subordinate to this society.
He even ignores his own grief over losing his father, to the point of monologue, saying, "I never learned how to react when someone expresses condolences."
Even for Odile, a moment comes when she can no longer avoid it.
It was by chance that I learned that Edme's death was imminent.
Odile struggles to find a way to tell Edmé how to avoid her fate without upsetting the order of the entire village, but as she hesitates, an unexpected accident occurs.
Now, standing before the barbed wire fence that divides the boundaries of time, Odile must make a choice.
Will you continue to suppress your emotions, follow the rules, and ignore your grief, as you have done so far? Or will you confront all the loss and grief you have been avoiding, confront society, and find a new path?
If you learn of the impending death of a loved one
What kind of present will you live in?
"The Valley of Time" is also a novel that talks about the growth brought about by loss.
Author Howard confessed in an interview that he was deeply saddened by the loss of a close friend at a young age.
Until then, he believed that he had infinite time and could accomplish many things in the future, but after the death of a friend, he began to question the path he had always taken as a philosopher, and became a writer, starting to write novels.
Odile's situation in 'The Valley of Time' reflects Howard's experience of losing a loved one without even being able to say goodbye.
Odile's mother, who longed to become a consultant but has spent her entire life doing simple paperwork, firmly believes that her daughter will become a consultant and does not give Odile any other options for career choices.
Under such a strict mother, Odile becomes obsessed with becoming a counselor, 'like someone who doesn't understand emotions'.
However, after learning of Edme's fate, Odile's life is turned upside down, and she is unable to do anything in the face of his death, giving up the comfortable life of a counselor.
Howard said that while his own choice to become a writer was the right one, Odile's choice may have been a mistake.
However, the 'mistake' that Odile made in a moment becomes her first attempt to confront fate, acknowledging all the emotions she had been avoiding and finding her own path.
In this way, 『The Valley of Time』 brings something shining to us even in the midst of deep sorrow and despair after suffering loss.
Just like Odile's life, where she goes against her predetermined fate and finds herself through her own will.
How free can we be?
To the east is the same village, 20 years into the future, and to the west is the same village, 20 years into the past.
The villages are separated by barbed wire fences, so people cannot move freely.
It is only in order to soothe the grief of losing a loved one that one is permitted to secretly visit the villages of the past or future, with the permission of a high-ranking official, the Advisor.
But Odile Ozan, who lost her father when she was young, believes that even if she had the chance to visit another village, she would not do so, believing that visiting the past or the future would not bring her true comfort.
Then one day, Odile happens to see visitors from the eastern village and soon realizes that they are Edme's parents.
It was Odile, of all people, who learned that the death of Edme, whom she loved, was imminent.
Odile is hesitant to act, as preventing the planned event could alter the flow of time and cause chaos and extinction throughout the village.
Odile is torn between saving her loved ones and conforming to order… … .
Only those who have mourned enough know.
That only the present can save the past.
Everything in the world is destined to die or disappear, but humans suffer because they cannot accept this.
We should be able to grieve sufficiently when we lose someone.
No society can artificially prevent the pain of this loss.
Not outwardly grieving does not mean that the loss has not occurred, and mourning must precede living fully in reality.
However, in the world of 『The Valley of Time』, the 'mourning journey', which allows one to travel to another time zone to soothe their grief, is not given equally to everyone and is only permitted at the discretion of the advisor.
The society in the novel tries to control who can grieve, when, and how much.
As if they were intentionally trying to control sadness and alienate those who are suffering.
The protagonist, Odile, is a character completely subordinate to this society.
He even ignores his own grief over losing his father, to the point of monologue, saying, "I never learned how to react when someone expresses condolences."
Even for Odile, a moment comes when she can no longer avoid it.
It was by chance that I learned that Edme's death was imminent.
Odile struggles to find a way to tell Edmé how to avoid her fate without upsetting the order of the entire village, but as she hesitates, an unexpected accident occurs.
Now, standing before the barbed wire fence that divides the boundaries of time, Odile must make a choice.
Will you continue to suppress your emotions, follow the rules, and ignore your grief, as you have done so far? Or will you confront all the loss and grief you have been avoiding, confront society, and find a new path?
If you learn of the impending death of a loved one
What kind of present will you live in?
"The Valley of Time" is also a novel that talks about the growth brought about by loss.
Author Howard confessed in an interview that he was deeply saddened by the loss of a close friend at a young age.
Until then, he believed that he had infinite time and could accomplish many things in the future, but after the death of a friend, he began to question the path he had always taken as a philosopher, and became a writer, starting to write novels.
Odile's situation in 'The Valley of Time' reflects Howard's experience of losing a loved one without even being able to say goodbye.
Odile's mother, who longed to become a consultant but has spent her entire life doing simple paperwork, firmly believes that her daughter will become a consultant and does not give Odile any other options for career choices.
Under such a strict mother, Odile becomes obsessed with becoming a counselor, 'like someone who doesn't understand emotions'.
However, after learning of Edme's fate, Odile's life is turned upside down, and she is unable to do anything in the face of his death, giving up the comfortable life of a counselor.
Howard said that while his own choice to become a writer was the right one, Odile's choice may have been a mistake.
However, the 'mistake' that Odile made in a moment becomes her first attempt to confront fate, acknowledging all the emotions she had been avoiding and finding her own path.
In this way, 『The Valley of Time』 brings something shining to us even in the midst of deep sorrow and despair after suffering loss.
Just like Odile's life, where she goes against her predetermined fate and finds herself through her own will.
GOODS SPECIFICS
- Date of issue: January 17, 2025
- Page count, weight, size: 468 pages | 600g | 142*210*22mm
- ISBN13: 9791130662596
- ISBN10: 1130662594
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