Beasts of a Little Land

‘Beasts of a Little Land is a stunning achievement. Juhea Kim wrestles with the chaos of a half-century of love, idealism, war and violence, and does so with courage and wisdom.‘ TLS

‘Full of Korean myth and historical detail, it’s an immersive read for a long weekend.’ Stylist

‘This is historical fiction at its very best! I am astonished by Juhea’s talent.‘ Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, internationally bestselling author of The Mountains Sing

’Stunning… Profound… This novel will devastate you and then still you with its wise meditations on love and loss. I couldn’t put it down.‘ Alexis Schaitkin, author of Saint X

’Beasts of a Little Land is a heartbreaking story rendered mythic by Kim’s gorgeous prose.‘ Jing-Jing Lee, author of How We Disappeared

‘A magnificent, mesmerizing story of love and war… Cinematic in its scope, this is the type of novel that the reader finishes both with pleasure (for its satisfying denouement and pleasing circularity) and with sadness (at having to leave the story behind).’ New Internationalist

‘Some people say that all stories are about either love or war. Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century Korea, Kim’s epic debut novel is about both.‘ Harper’s Bazaar US, ‘Best Books of 2021’

‘Gorgeous prose and unforgettable characters combine to make a literary masterpiece.’ Kirkus, (starred review)

‘Kim’s dreamy, intense debut is both a sure-footed historical account of the Korean struggle for independence from Japan and the emotionally fraught story of several people whose lives are inextricably tied together… The prose is ravishing.’ Publishers Weekly

‘An immersive historical novel set in occupied Korea with a sweeping cast of characters whose lives intersect over half a century.’ Lit Hub, ‘Most Anticipated Books of 2021’

‘This epic historical novel offers an entrancing glimpse into a colourful world of love and conflict.‘ Daily Mail, ‘Must Reads’

Juhea Kim was born in In Cheon, Korea, and moved to Portland, Oregon, at age nine. Her writing has been published in Granta, Catapult, Joyland, Times Literary Supplement, The Independent, Zyzzyva, and elsewhere. She is the founder and editor of Peaceful Dumpling, an online magazine at the intersection of sustainable lifestyle and ecological literature. She earned her BA in Art and Archaeology from Princeton University. After a decade in New York City, Kim now lives in Portland, Oregon.