Kevin O’Rourke’s translation sings the way an ancient song form should, bridging time and place to remind us of the hope, desire and transience we share as humans...[He] chose a five-line structure with widely-varying line lengths, but the fourth line is usually short, giving each poem an asymmetrical swing while lulling the reader page by page with the repeated rhythm. It sounds like what might happen if a medieval French troubadour took up ragtime.
-- Anne Holzman Korean Quarterly
Committing himself to a convincing, new five-line translation model from the Korean, O'Rourke offers sensitive renderings of 611 shijo from the 10th century to the modern. He also acknowledges more than 100 authors with biographical remarks that provide a fascinating glimpse into Korea's complicated imperial history. A labor of passion, capably accomplished, this prize-worthy book is an essential addition to the scholarly literature on Asia.
-- T. Carolan Choice