Autobiography of Death

by Kim Hyesoon
Autobiography of Death cover
Good Books rating 4.5
Poetry
Technical:
  • ID: 762
  • Added: 2025-09-19
  • Updated: 2025-09-20
  • ISBN: 9780811227353
  • Publisher: New Directions Publishing
  • Published: 2018-11-27
  • Formats: 10
  • Reviews: 3
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Waterstones
Paperback • £14.99

Kim Hyesoon's Autobiography of Death is a profound and imaginative exploration of death and its cyclical nature. The book consists of forty-nine poems, each representing a day in the spirit's journey after death, before reincarnation. These poems not only give voice to those who met unjust deaths during Korea's turbulent history but also delve into the structure of death itself, revealing how we remain living within it./n/nThe collection concludes with 'Face of Rhythm,' a poem that shifts focus to individual pain, illness, and meditation. Kim's work is both a reenactment of trauma and a narrative of historical death, offering a poignant and compelling exploration of survival and the human condition.

Reviews
The Big Issue · 2025-07-08
compelling 4.75

The collection is a prize-winning work of poetry that defiantly addresses life and death with equal brilliance. It is a compelling and powerful read.

This collection is celebrated for its defiant and brilliant exploration of life and death. The reviewer highlights its compelling nature, noting how it captures the essence of both existence and mortality. The poems are seen as a testament to the author's skill in weaving together profound themes with a vivid and engaging style. The collection is praised for its emotional depth and its ability to resonate with readers on a deeply personal level.

Quick quotes

    Kim Hyesoon's Autobiography of Death is a prize-winning work of poetry.

    Defiant with life and death in equal brilliance.

    A compelling and powerful read.

London Review Bookshop · 2025-06-03
profound 4.50

The collection re-enacts trauma and narrates death, exploring how we die and survive within a cyclical structure. It is a profound exploration of life and death.

This collection is a powerful exploration of trauma and death, delving into the cyclical nature of these experiences. The poems are vivid and haunting, offering a unique perspective on how we confront and survive loss. The reviewer appreciates the depth and intensity of the work, noting its ability to evoke strong emotions and provoke deep thought. The collection is seen as a significant contribution to literature on themes of mortality and resilience.

Quick quotes

    Autobiography of Death at once re-enacts trauma and narrates death.

    How we die and how we survive within this cyclical structure.

    A profound exploration of life and death.

The Bind · 2020-02-17
haunting 4.25

The collection enacts poetic necromancy, communicating with death rather than the dead, and is a haunting yet kooky and compelling read.

This collection is described as a form of poetic necromancy, focusing on the concept of death rather than the deceased. The reviewer finds it haunting yet oddly compelling, with a unique blend of darkness and whimsy. The poems are seen as a powerful exploration of mortality, offering a fresh perspective on a universal theme. The collection is praised for its ability to engage and provoke thought, making it a standout work in contemporary poetry.

Quick quotes

    Kim Hyesoon's Autobiography of Death enacts poetic necromancy.

    Not to communicate with the dead, who are perhaps beyond our reach, but with death.

    A visceral, haunting read that is somehow still kooky, compelling, and completely its own.

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