Title: Island of Fantasy, A Memoir of an English Teacher in Korea
Genre: adventure narrative
Length: 188 pgs.
Available for purchase here(paperback - $12, downloadable - $4)
This compelling and hilarious narrative was written by the late Shawn Matthews during his time in South Korea. Matthews, an intense, Radiohead-loving, early 20's eccentric from New York state quickly grew bored with life after college in the states. That's when he stumbled upon an online ad. seeking English teachers at a school on a 'beautiful and exotic island' off of South Korea. He jumped at the chance, quickly packing his things and saying rushed goodbyes to his family. Matthews dreamed of an easy teaching job with plenty of free time to explore his enchanting surroundings on Koje-do, near Busan, SK.
The dream-job Matthews had imagined didn't turn out to be quite what he expected, and the Koje-do island life was markedly different than the one in his Korean fantasies. But it is a truly entertaining read from start to finish. His knack for story-telling and attention to detail take the reader along for the chaotic and suspenseful ride, painting memorably picturesque landscapes and quirky encounters with the Korean locals on Koje-do.
Tragically, the talented writer took his own life in 2006 in China, and he wasn't able to share more of his writings with the world. His blogs and writing style had become so popular that they were the subject of controversy, praise, criticism and envy all across the community of expats in Asia, even posthumously.
Links:
Matthews' blog while in Korea
reviews and other works by Matthews
comments by his readers
No comments:
Post a Comment