#the stone home

[whilereadingandwalking]

The Stone Home by Crystal Hana Kim is a historical fiction novel about the 1980s reformatories in South Korea that took in "vagrants" to keep them off the streets, leading to prolific, state-sanctioned violence and horrific abuse, all to keep Seoul presentable for the ’88 Olympics. Our two main characters are young, rebellious Eunju Oh, who came in with her mother, and the strong, physical Sangchul, who focuses all his energy on protecting his more intellectual brother. They both will have to face terrible decisions if they want to survive without internalizing the violence themselves.

This novel edges on being too bleak. Its topic is horrific, so it's hard to fault that, and it was a tough week for me to dive into a bleak story like this one, which probably impacted my opinion. I think perhaps Kim's occasionally over-wrought writing extended this bleakness—left unsure about what happened, I'd have to either reread or just assume the worst.

Still, the novel is an effective, hard-hitting look at psychological, emotional, and physical violence and the impact they have on us all, but particularly young minds. The suspicions, betrayals, that they sow—the growing need to either internalize the violence or redirect it at someone else to save yourself. It shows, unapologetically, what it might take to survive something like that place, the withdrawing, partitioning, imagining, competing that results. The novel is painful but rich in its tragedy. Just remembering, recording, is a victory: South Korea only acknowledged the existence of these reformatories officially in 2022.

Content warnings for torture, body horror, violence, psychological and physical abuse, sexual assault, trauma/PTSD.

[goawaywithjae]

“Some of my best writing comes to me when I’m away from my usual surroundings,” Crystal Hana Kim said. “I live in Brooklyn. I love my home and the busy atmosphere of my neighborhood, but the distractions of daily life can make writing harder. While writing ‘The Stone Home,’ I went to two artist residencies in Wyoming. The isolation helped me untangle questions I had about my characters and the story. I took long walks in the snow and wrote for hours in my cabin. It was a dreamy experience!” This interview is online already, but it also is in print today in outlets like the Chicago Tribune and Baltimore Sun.

[vintagehomecollection]

The existing pool. Water can make an attractive transition between garden and countryside. Here the detailing of the pond is natural, with boulders used to make an informal surround.

The Garden Book, 1984

[chubbychiquita]

[ancientorigins]

Cave Homes Cappadocia Turkey

[ginger-by-the-sea]

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

Good Morning, World.

[First] Prev <–-> Next

[fuckyeahchinesefashion]

traditional knife 石镰shilian specially used to harvest glutinous rice

[indeedgoodman]

[1lifeinspired]

A Dark, Coastal House

Photography by benmyhre on Instagram.

Photo Found Here:  https://www.instagram.com/p/Cvv_gGRvUum/

[toyastales]

There is beauty in the murky depths of nature!

[vintagehomecollection]

Garden lighting can transform almost any design and extends the length of time one can sit outside. From indoors the results are equally important but remember that simplicity is the key to success.

Creative Gardens, 1986

[nonomives]

I woke up with a vision

Anyways yeah ive uh sorta havent drawn vampire wally in a while

Gotta get back to my roots lmao

[shorthaltsjester]

the mighty nein - critical role

this is a place where i don't feel alone. this is a place where i feel at home.

[puppetmaster13u]

Prompt 197

“Guys look, I got us pet rocks!” 

“That’s nice- Danny, why are the rocks moving?” 

“Ectoplasm. Obviously. They eat bad emotions, isn’t that cool?!” 

“They aren’t going to get that big though, right? I mean, we’re moving to the countryside but still.”

“I mean, they shouldn’t? Dang, maybe I should have asked Dora more questions…” 

[chynandri]

may this last!