The Korean Book of Happiness

Book review

I think it is my love of K-dramas that makes me fascinated with all things Korean. This led me to read ‘The Korean Book of Happiness - Joy, Resilience and the Art of Giving”. Written by Barbara J. Zitwer.

The Book explores the philosophies of han, heung and jeong: resilience, joy and the art of giving.

Barbara J Zitwer is a literary agent who has helped get Korean literature translated and published elsewhere. In the book she talks about the friends she has made during her business in Korea and travels.

This is just a lovely book to read. It looks at a range of things, like family and home, from a Korean perspective, whilst providing information on parts of Korea and recipes.

Each chapter has a theme, a destination and a recipe. If you are looking to travel to Korea this would be a good book to read, unlike touristy information, if provides the view of a visitor to Korea experiencing things as a guest of Korean friends. In this way we get to know about places like museums we might not otherwise know about.

I learnt so much from how to bow, why K-dramas the houses/apartments look so unclutter and even a Korean skincare regime.

I am yet to try out the recipes in the book but hopefully soon. I’m also wondering if I use the books themes as a kind of Happiness Project year (from the book by Gretchen Rubin where she has a theme for each month). For example, a month focusing on the home or nature, or friendship.

This book was easy to read and my true book test - I struggled to put down until I had finished it and I would provide it to a friend as a book that is uplifting.

If you are thinking of travelling to Korea, this book would would help you make the most of your trip and give you some understanding of Korean culture.