46 pages • 1 hour read
Dictee
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Book Brief
192
Novel • Fiction
1982
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Dictee by Theresa Hak Kyung Cha is a hybrid narrative that intertwines prose poetry, autobiography, and criticism to explore themes of colonialism, gender, and language through the lives of various historical and mythical women. Cha employs experimental techniques, including uncaptioned photos and multilingual text, to defamiliarize familiar tropes and challenge traditional narratives. The book delves into the trauma of war, exile, and oppression while highlighting the resilience of women across different cultures and epochs.
Contemplative
Mysterious
Melancholic
Challenging
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
3,670 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Theresa Hak Kyung Cha's Dictee offers a challenging yet rewarding read. Lauded for its experimental structure and poetic depth, the book intertwines themes of identity, displacement, and history. However, its fragmented narrative and abstract style can be difficult for some readers to navigate. Overall, Dictee remains a significant and thought-provoking contribution to literature.
Who Should Read Dictee?
A reader captivated by multilingual, experimental, and feminist literature will enjoy Theresa Hak Kyung Cha’s Dictee. Similar to the genre-blurring and fragmented narratives in books like Maxine Hong Kingston’s The Woman Warrior and Maggie Nelson’s The Argonauts, this reader values poetic and historical introspection.
3,670 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Cha's Mother, Hyun Soon Huo
Cha's Mother, Hyun Soon Huo
Cha's mother, whose life story is intertwined with themes of migration and resilience, represents the struggles of preserving cultural identity amidst adversity, and her relationship with Cha is likened to that of Demeter and Persephone.
Yu Guan Soon
Yu Guan Soon
A Korean revolutionary presented as a symbol of courage and resistance, whose life and tragic death during the March 1, 1919 protest are depicted to highlight her significant role in Korean history.
St. Therese of Lisieux
St. Therese of Lisieux
A French nun whose spiritual journey and connection to Joan of Arc are used to explore themes of sacrifice and martyrdom, emphasizing spiritual and feminist elements in her contemplations on faith.
Demeter and Persephone
Demeter and Persephone
Figures from Greek mythology whose story of separation and reunion is reimagined to explore themes of exile, renewal, and maternal bonds, serving as metaphors for Cha's own experiences with cultural displacement and identity.
192
Novel • Fiction
1982
Adult
18+ years
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