Korean bestseller ‘Leafie’ set for April debut
“The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly” by Sun-mi Hwang
©All rights reserved – Oneworld Publications
(Relaxnews) – Sun-mi Hwang’s “The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly” has been compared to “The Little Prince” in terms of universal appeal and is dated for a UK debut this April.
The date coincides with that of the London Book Fair, April 8-10, at which Korean literature forms a special focus, as pointed out by trade journal The Bookseller.
Elaborating on the “Little Prince” comparison, Juliet Mabey of publishing house Oneworld described the children’s book as a “fable-like story that explores huge philosophical themes like freedom, self-determination and friendship, combined with an unforgettable, plucky heroine.”
The story’s main character is a hen who, struggling to produce an egg, spies wildlife on the other side of her farmyard’s fence and resolves to escape her confines, providing a better life for her eventual offspring.
“Although we took the decision to publish it initially for adults, we will definitely consider publishing a special edition for younger readers at a later date,” a sentiment in line with translations released elsewhere.
The story was originally published in 2000 and international versions have emerged in recent years, with US, French, Polish and Vietnamese publishers getting in on the act, while a German edition is expected by March 1.
A South Korean animated adaptation made it to the Cannes Film Festival in 2011 as “Leafie, a Hen Into the Wild,” with the UK’s March 31 DVD release known as “Daisy – A Hen Into the Wild” instead.
cp/kc
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