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Offbeat Book Reviews

The Most Precious in the Place I Tore Out to Discard

For the first time in a very long while, I borrowed and read a novel from the library.

It had been so long that I thought a short story collection would be better than a long novel, so this is the book I chose.

I had vowed to frequent the library when I was in graduate school,

but in the end, I only sought out the library after my school program was over.

It seems that everything becomes more earnest when it’s about to end.

For the first time in a very long while, I read something I had written a long time ago.

Ah, I really had a lot of affection for writing.

I poured my heart into it willingly, even if no one recognized it.

The me back then and the me now have changed a little,

but still, like the title of the novel, I think I’ll end up writing again.

What I Will Write Choi Jin-young, 2024, Anon Books ](https://search.shopping.naver.com/book/product/efPLCwe5nc6c6PGkzQsfs%2FQq%2FiE2SqN3mQqK0nmv3wQ%3D)

pg.66

I had completely forgotten, but my sister’s question brought back Moo-young’s words, the expression on her face when she said them, the sound of the rain that day, and her beautifully envious tone.

I’ve never thought about that. Not once.

I said it in an annoyed tone. I felt wronged that my sister asked that. I don’t know why I felt wronged. Was it because my sister recognized the desire I was trying my best to hide too easily? When Moo-young said she wanted to be a writer, I envied her for being able to voice her dream like that, because Moo-young seemed like she would truly become a writer, but I felt conflicted because I felt I could never be such a person.

pg.224

Happiness, for me, is a bother.

Bothersome?

I nodded at my husband’s question. Happiness was popular and always drew many fans. Enthusiastic fans — anxiety, worry, fear, pity, regret, resentment, doubt, guilt, etc. — wouldn’t leave happiness alone and clung to it. I placed my hand on my belly, wondering if there had ever been a moment when I felt completely happy. There was no real sense that a life was being created. But the doctor said congratulations. The moment I heard that, fear washed over me. Therefore, is this happiness?

pg.340

In , there are mothers and daughters. There are women and women. There is me and me. There is contempt wrapped in worry, a dagger cloaked in interest, misfortune approaching with a smile of happiness, and love dressed in the clothes of anxiety. Everything is intertwined and cannot be cleanly separated. In the place I tore out to discard, the most precious heart is buried. I want to be a kind person. I want to make a place for you in a lukewarm spot.

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