An interview with June Hur about The Silence of Bones.
About the book:
1. How did you come up with the story of The Silence of Bones?
Even though I’m a Korean, I grew up knowing very little about Korean history. In 2015, out of sheer curiosity, I read further into Korean history – and fell madly in love with it. I was fascinated by everything and was gripped by a terrifying desperation to write a Korean historical mystery. I hesitated for a while, wondering if I, a Korean-Canadian ‘diasporan’, even had the right to write about Korea, and afraid that no one would be interested in a mystery set in a non-western country. It was the #WeNeedDiverseBooks movement that finally gave me the courage to write.
At the very heart of this book is a more personal story inspired by my family, a family dispersed. I spent nearly half my life living with my siblings in Canada, far away from my parents, far away from my relatives. And so, while I was writing this book, I found myself wrestling with two questions that always haunted me: What will it cost to keep family together when things are falling apart? And where is home when you live far away from those who have loved you for all of your life?
2. Who is the main character(s) in The Silence of Bones?
The overly curious 16-year-old Seol and the tormented Inspector Han.
3. Which of the characters from The Silence of Bones are you the most similar to?
Seol and Inspector Han represent different sides of me. I’m like Seol in that I’m generally a quiet and obedient on the outside; I was raised to respect my elders and not to talk back. But Inspector Han, in some ways, embodies my inner world. I tend to brood a lot and I’m often angst-filled, as he is!
4. What surprised you while writing your book?
For most of my life I had no interest in Korean history; I didn’t think Korean history was relevant to me. Then, when I began reading about Korea out of curiosity, I ended up being deeply surprised, shaken to the core, to find that so much of who I am is rooted in Korea’s past. By studying the past, I learned more about myself and realized that I’m not as disconnected from Korea a I imagined myself to be.
5. Where can readers purchase The Silence of Bones?
Any major book retailer!
About You:
1. If you won a prize for something, what would it be and why?
An award for my book would be a great privilege, and something I’d appreciate because I worked hard on it!
2. What are some tips to the people who are becoming writers?
Books are your best teachers. So find the book that made you sit at the edge of your seat, a book that made you cry, a book that made you laugh – and figure out how the author managed to do that.
3. What do you like to do in your free time?
Reading is probably an obvious answer, so I’ll say: engaging with readers and writers over on Twitter and Instagram!
4. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Vanilla.
5. What is your Hogwarts House? Does that house match you well?
Oh this one’s tricky. On the outside I’m a Hufflepuff but on the inside I’m a Slytherin (only my husband sees the Slytherin side of me).
About the book:
1. How did you come up with the story of The Silence of Bones?
Even though I’m a Korean, I grew up knowing very little about Korean history. In 2015, out of sheer curiosity, I read further into Korean history – and fell madly in love with it. I was fascinated by everything and was gripped by a terrifying desperation to write a Korean historical mystery. I hesitated for a while, wondering if I, a Korean-Canadian ‘diasporan’, even had the right to write about Korea, and afraid that no one would be interested in a mystery set in a non-western country. It was the #WeNeedDiverseBooks movement that finally gave me the courage to write.
At the very heart of this book is a more personal story inspired by my family, a family dispersed. I spent nearly half my life living with my siblings in Canada, far away from my parents, far away from my relatives. And so, while I was writing this book, I found myself wrestling with two questions that always haunted me: What will it cost to keep family together when things are falling apart? And where is home when you live far away from those who have loved you for all of your life?
2. Who is the main character(s) in The Silence of Bones?
The overly curious 16-year-old Seol and the tormented Inspector Han.
3. Which of the characters from The Silence of Bones are you the most similar to?
Seol and Inspector Han represent different sides of me. I’m like Seol in that I’m generally a quiet and obedient on the outside; I was raised to respect my elders and not to talk back. But Inspector Han, in some ways, embodies my inner world. I tend to brood a lot and I’m often angst-filled, as he is!
4. What surprised you while writing your book?
For most of my life I had no interest in Korean history; I didn’t think Korean history was relevant to me. Then, when I began reading about Korea out of curiosity, I ended up being deeply surprised, shaken to the core, to find that so much of who I am is rooted in Korea’s past. By studying the past, I learned more about myself and realized that I’m not as disconnected from Korea a I imagined myself to be.
5. Where can readers purchase The Silence of Bones?
Any major book retailer!
About You:
1. If you won a prize for something, what would it be and why?
An award for my book would be a great privilege, and something I’d appreciate because I worked hard on it!
2. What are some tips to the people who are becoming writers?
Books are your best teachers. So find the book that made you sit at the edge of your seat, a book that made you cry, a book that made you laugh – and figure out how the author managed to do that.
3. What do you like to do in your free time?
Reading is probably an obvious answer, so I’ll say: engaging with readers and writers over on Twitter and Instagram!
4. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Vanilla.
5. What is your Hogwarts House? Does that house match you well?
Oh this one’s tricky. On the outside I’m a Hufflepuff but on the inside I’m a Slytherin (only my husband sees the Slytherin side of me).
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