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Diversity: A HINT OF LIGHT by David L. Meth
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From: David L. Meth <dlm67_at_mac.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2013 00:23:12 -0400
3/13/13
To Members of the CCBC Listserve:
I have been reading the list and comments about diversity for reading material, as well as other topics and would like to suggest A HINT OF LIGHT, which probably fits the new category of New Adults or older Young Adults because of the graphic nature of this very dramatic story that was published to 5-star reviews on Amazon in 2010. It was recently published in Korea to 5-star reviews about a subject that has been barely, if at all explored in fiction. I am also the author.
A HINT OF LIGHT is the story of a black-Korean Amerasian boy orphaned to the streets of Seoul from the time he is born. It traces his life, with his white-Korean female companion, through the gutters and back alleys of the marketplace, through whorehouses and hotels, to Japan in the service of a wealthy Korean exporter's wife, and finally to New York City. It is a dramatic view of the streets through the eyes of its various inhabitants and exposes the underbelly of racism that permeates Asian and American societies. A fictional document on a segment of society trapped in their own skins because of their color, they remain foreigners in their own land with no identity and no escape. I spent three years on research, including a year in Korea and a year in Japan, and interviewed many of these children and people who cared for them, collecting audio tapes and photos. There is an excerpt on my website: DavidMeth.com
5.0 out of 5 stars AN UNFORGETABLE STORY, June 22, 2011 By NY Times best selling author Mary Monroe "MissyMe" (Oakland, CA United States)
As soon as I read the first few pages of A HINT OF LIGHT, I knew that I had picked up a page turner. This is one of the most haunting stories that you will ever read.
I knew almost nothing about the experiences of half black, half Korean children struggling to survive on the streets and other undesirable places in Korea. Reading this book not only intrigued me, but it enlightened me and heightened my awareness about a culture that I was not familiar with until now.
The author developed the main character, Byung-suk, so well, I had to keep reminding myself that I was reading fiction. After the first few chapters, I began to feel a lot of pity for this boy and some of the people he interacted with. However, by the end of the story I realized Byung-suk did not need to be pitied. For a boy born to a prostitute who dies after she gives birth to him in the same gutter, he still has the tenacity, intelligence, and determination to survive. He eventually enjoys some level of happiness despite the numerous obstacles that he has to face almost every day of his life so his story is not a complete tragedy.
If you read only a few books a year, this should be one of them. (Reviewed by Mary Monroe, New York Times Bestselling author of MAMA RUBY).
"From the very first page this haunting new novel swept me off my feet. Unlike a lot of books that I read and promptly forget, A HINT OF LIGHT is so intriguing and the characters so vivid this story will remain on my mind for a long time. It's the kind of story that I usually read more than once." Mary Monroe
--------------------------------
“Meth’s intimate knowledge, sincerity, and attention to detail evoke genuine sympathy for the war’s throw-away children, abandoned to their fate on Seoul’s mean streets. The reader senses that the writer has actually witnessed it all firsthand. The quirky, fluid writing style moves the action right along and descriptions are often apt and vivid.” Barbara E. Joe, author of Triumph & Hope: Golden Years with the Peace Corps in Honduras.
---------------------------------
"What a powerful, moving, compelling story! I absolutely couldn't put it down." Natalie Bates, author of FRIEND OF THE FAMILY.
---------------------------------
"From the first to last line, I was compelled. Riveting and moving. Hope all will read this." Cori Thomas, playwright.
---------------------------------
“i bought ur book a hint of light and it was amazing i am also korean and black and have a rough time with race.... i can relate to that book and grateful i got to read it... ive passed the book on to my father who is also enjoying it. thanks for good reading... i have told many about ur book and hope that u write more wonderful stories...” Miji Kim Colston
---------------------------------
Thank you, David L. Meth dlm67_at_mac.com DavidMeth.com
Received on Wed 13 Mar 2013 12:23:12 AM CDT
Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2013 00:23:12 -0400
3/13/13
To Members of the CCBC Listserve:
I have been reading the list and comments about diversity for reading material, as well as other topics and would like to suggest A HINT OF LIGHT, which probably fits the new category of New Adults or older Young Adults because of the graphic nature of this very dramatic story that was published to 5-star reviews on Amazon in 2010. It was recently published in Korea to 5-star reviews about a subject that has been barely, if at all explored in fiction. I am also the author.
A HINT OF LIGHT is the story of a black-Korean Amerasian boy orphaned to the streets of Seoul from the time he is born. It traces his life, with his white-Korean female companion, through the gutters and back alleys of the marketplace, through whorehouses and hotels, to Japan in the service of a wealthy Korean exporter's wife, and finally to New York City. It is a dramatic view of the streets through the eyes of its various inhabitants and exposes the underbelly of racism that permeates Asian and American societies. A fictional document on a segment of society trapped in their own skins because of their color, they remain foreigners in their own land with no identity and no escape. I spent three years on research, including a year in Korea and a year in Japan, and interviewed many of these children and people who cared for them, collecting audio tapes and photos. There is an excerpt on my website: DavidMeth.com
5.0 out of 5 stars AN UNFORGETABLE STORY, June 22, 2011 By NY Times best selling author Mary Monroe "MissyMe" (Oakland, CA United States)
As soon as I read the first few pages of A HINT OF LIGHT, I knew that I had picked up a page turner. This is one of the most haunting stories that you will ever read.
I knew almost nothing about the experiences of half black, half Korean children struggling to survive on the streets and other undesirable places in Korea. Reading this book not only intrigued me, but it enlightened me and heightened my awareness about a culture that I was not familiar with until now.
The author developed the main character, Byung-suk, so well, I had to keep reminding myself that I was reading fiction. After the first few chapters, I began to feel a lot of pity for this boy and some of the people he interacted with. However, by the end of the story I realized Byung-suk did not need to be pitied. For a boy born to a prostitute who dies after she gives birth to him in the same gutter, he still has the tenacity, intelligence, and determination to survive. He eventually enjoys some level of happiness despite the numerous obstacles that he has to face almost every day of his life so his story is not a complete tragedy.
If you read only a few books a year, this should be one of them. (Reviewed by Mary Monroe, New York Times Bestselling author of MAMA RUBY).
"From the very first page this haunting new novel swept me off my feet. Unlike a lot of books that I read and promptly forget, A HINT OF LIGHT is so intriguing and the characters so vivid this story will remain on my mind for a long time. It's the kind of story that I usually read more than once." Mary Monroe
--------------------------------
“Meth’s intimate knowledge, sincerity, and attention to detail evoke genuine sympathy for the war’s throw-away children, abandoned to their fate on Seoul’s mean streets. The reader senses that the writer has actually witnessed it all firsthand. The quirky, fluid writing style moves the action right along and descriptions are often apt and vivid.” Barbara E. Joe, author of Triumph & Hope: Golden Years with the Peace Corps in Honduras.
---------------------------------
"What a powerful, moving, compelling story! I absolutely couldn't put it down." Natalie Bates, author of FRIEND OF THE FAMILY.
---------------------------------
"From the first to last line, I was compelled. Riveting and moving. Hope all will read this." Cori Thomas, playwright.
---------------------------------
“i bought ur book a hint of light and it was amazing i am also korean and black and have a rough time with race.... i can relate to that book and grateful i got to read it... ive passed the book on to my father who is also enjoying it. thanks for good reading... i have told many about ur book and hope that u write more wonderful stories...” Miji Kim Colston
---------------------------------
Thank you, David L. Meth dlm67_at_mac.com DavidMeth.com
Received on Wed 13 Mar 2013 12:23:12 AM CDT
