It’s rare for me to feel that I owe it to a writer to read their book but the anonymous North Korean author of The Accusation risked his life to get it published, and continues to do so. Bandi, which translates as firefly, still lives and works in North Korea. Should he be unmasked he would undoubtedly be executed. His short story collection was first published in South Korea after being smuggled out of his own country. As the Afterword urges: ‘This work should be heard as an earnest entreaty to shine a spotlight on North Korea’s oppressive regime’
The Accusation comprises seven stories, each based on a real situation occurring between 1989 and 1995. In ‘City of Spectres’ a family faces dire consequences after the mother’s attempts to hide their toddler’s hysterical terror of Karl Marx and Kim Il-Sung’s images which adorn Pyongyang’s main square in celebration of National Day. ‘Life of a Swift Steed’ sees an old man who once championed the idea of a Communist North Korea where all is plentiful reveal his shattered illusions the day he receives yet another medal commemorating his service. In ‘So Near, Yet So Far’ a man, desperate to see his dying mother, flouts draconian travel regulations and pays a brutal price for it while ‘Pandemonium’ sees a grandmother’s choice of myth to entertain her granddaughter after a surreal meeting with the Great Leader neatly mirror her own country’s plight. I could describe all seven, but you should read them for yourself
Bandi’s stories reveal a world ruled by the whim of a capricious all-powerful regime in which guilt by association is punished for generations and the slightest perception of disrespect is met with harsh retribution. Unquestioning obedience is demanded, the smallest transgression provoking vengeance. Shortages are endemic: bean paste is made from acorns, stoves fuelled by sawdust. Officialdom’s callousness in the face of loss and pain contrasts with the compassion and concern of ordinary people for their friends and family, even for acquaintances despite the constant threat of spies in their midst. Almost as if in defiance of their dour subject, these stories have a rich vein of humour running through them, a sharp satirical wit: Died at her new place of residence, from resentment toward her husband’s punishment declares one man’s file sourly.
The collection’s Afterword provides a little context for both its author and his country. Reading it makes me shiver. Long may this brave man’s identity be preserved. He’s risked so much to shine a light into his strange, frightening country. We owe it to him to read his stories and take note.
This certainly sounds powerful. I have read a few books from North Korea now and they are always sobering.
Indeed. It’s the first hand experience and sheer guts involved in getting it published that marks this one out for me.
I bought this for the same reason you did, Susan. I think we need to better understand this country and its people and what they’re living through.
I think we do. Barbara Dymock’s Nothing to Envy was an eye-opener for me.
Yes! That was where my NK reading started as well.
Me too, I think. Followed by The Orphan Master’s Son and Without You, There Is No Us.
Harrowing reads that make you feel incredibly fortunate. Just an accident of birth…
I’ve not read the second one of those. Will check it out, thanks!
I read the first two stories in the collection and then had to put it aside. I love your review, it has inspired me to finish it!
Pleased to hear that, Melissa. Thank you!
Your review has prompted me to order the book. Thanks!
Delighted to hear that!
Excellent review, Susan. It sounds like a very powerful, yet amusing book. I’m hoping to get to this book at some point. I’m not sure when, but hopefully soon.
Thanks, Belinda. It’s amazing that he manages to write with humour given the circumstances.
This does sound exceptionally powerful. I’m not buying books in January, but it’s on my ‘to buy later’ list. (There is an actual list).
I like the idea of a ‘to buy later’ list. Glad to hear that this one’s on it.
A brave man clearly as is the person who smuggled the text out of NK. It’s sobering to think of people risking their lives for the right to speak out when in other parts of the world freedom of expression is taken so lightly.
Absolutely. We can rant to our hearts’ content wherever we want with no risk to ourselves.
Though I must admit sometimes with certain people I do wish we could shut them up…..
I do know what you mean but it’s better than the alternative!
This does sound so powerful. We certainly owe it to the writer to read it. It’s so easy to take for granted the privilege of living somewhere where we’ll never (hopefully) have to take these sorts of risks.
It is, indeed. At least we have a chance to vote out a government we disagree with and and can protest against them vociferously if we fail.
I’ve seen this book, but didn’t realize the author was from North Korea. Sounds like a must-read! I’ll have to tell my son about it as he’s quite fascinated by North Korea’s situation.
Definitely one for him then, Naomi. Has he read Barbara Demick’s Nothing to Envy? It’s a superb piece of journalism.
No, but I would love to read that one some time!
Highy recommend it.
Having just recently learned about this one (a podcast on the BBC – I am notoriously behind in my listening, although in this case it was a 2017 episode), I was doubly pleased to see your review of it. It does seem like essential reading, witnessing.
I think it is. It’s such a brave thing that this author has done, risking his life to let the world know what is happening.