Inspired by a true event, this powerful short story from the author of National Book Award finalist Pachinko explores the meaning of patriarchy and the cost of female silence through the eyes of a dutiful young girl.
An excellent student from a poor, traditional family in Seoul, the narrator has absorbed the same message her whole life: Only a boy can provide the family with dignity and wealth. Not her. Not her three sisters. Receiving approval only for uncomplaining sacrifice, she has resolved to take on her family's troubles. She is a good girl. And she knows what good girls must do.
The Best Girls is part of Disorder, a collection of six short stories of living nightmares, chilling visions, and uncanny imagination that explore a world losing its balance in terrifying ways. Each piece can be read or listened to in a single disorienting sitting.
***
[Four years ago, when Janmi, the last of the girls, was born, Dad went to the bar near his work, drank two bottles of soju, and passed out behind the vegetable stand]***
(Amazon Original Stories, 27 June 2019, ebook, 18 pages, borrowed from @AmazonUK, Prime Reading)
***
***
This story gave me the chills. Seriously. The story starts off innocently enough, well not really innocently but not as dark as it turns out. A man is distraught when his wife has yet another girl. A much longed for son is finally born and is worshipped and adored. The girl's, especially the narrator know they are a financial burden for their poor family. The narrator really pulled me into her story. She studies hard at school to get good grades but this causes even more problems. She must have cheated. She's just showing off. She's taking glory away from her beloved brother. The story takes a really dark turn at the end which made my flesh crawl.
