[One Sip of a Book] One Night Reunited with Mom

Editor's NoteSome sentences encapsulate the entire content of a book, while others instantly resonate with the reader’s heart, creating a connection with the book. We excerpt and introduce such meaningful sentences from books.

This is a new novel by Asada Jiro, the original author of the films 'Pailan' and 'Railroad Man.' Like his previous works, this novel also conveys heartfelt human emotions. The story depicts the process of a VIP-exclusive program costing 5 million won (500,000 yen) per night gaining immense popularity, attracting people despite the high price. As the project name "To You, Hometown" suggests, it offers a reunion filled with longing with one’s mother. The journey is arduous. Changing trains, taking a bus that comes once an hour, and climbing a slanted hill for quite some time. Eventually, an old countryside house imbued with the scent of the stove appears, where the mother greets with “You finally came!” The process of city dwellers, unfamiliar with the feeling of hometown, eating simple warm meals, listening to old stories, falling asleep, and parting the next day deeply moves the readers.

The mother tightly held his delicate hand, wearing a thumb glove.

“Now forget all the bad memories and rest your heart in peace.”

Snow that slid off the thatched roof and fell to the ground surrounded the edge of the porch like a fortress. The deeper he stepped forward, led by his mother’s hand, the stronger the profound scent became.

“Seiichi, listen well. No matter what happens, your mother is on your side.”

p72~73, "Where the Abandoned Go"

Natsuo, you don’t have to live so hard anymore. Just eat your fill and live comfortably.

You’ve lived incredibly well until now. Even if no one praises you, your mother will praise you with all her strength. That’s enough, Natsuo.

p138, "A Firm Word"

“When the respirator sustaining my mother’s life was removed, I hurriedly thought, ‘Who is this person?’ I went to a hometown that didn’t even exist to find that answer. Spending a night there, I clearly realized that no matter how I think, how much I resist, ignore, or despise, I was everything to my mother.”

p148, "Petal Boat"

“Aren’t you lonely?”

As I walked, a sad feeling turned into a murmur.

In the faint light of the lantern, my mother smiled.

“Lonely? Not at all. The villagers are all taking care of me.”

Then, hesitating as if choosing her words, she whispered.

“Aren’t you much lonelier than me?”

p231, "Firefly"

My Last Mother | Written by Asada Jiro | Dasan Books | 400 pages | 17,500 won