Prince of Mournful Thoughts and Other Stories

Winner, 2020 Drue Heinz Literature PrizeFinalist, 2021 Northern California Book AwardLonglist, 2021 PEN/Robert Bingham PrizeLonglist, 2020 The Story PrizeExploring what it means to be human through the Korean diaspora, Caroline Kim s stories feature many voices. From a teenage girl in 1980 s America, to a boy growing up in the middle of the Korean War, to an immigrant father struggling to be closer to his adult daughter, or to a suburban housewife whose equilibrium depends upon a therapy robot, each character must face their less-than-ideal circumstances and find a way to overcome them without losing themselves. Language often acts as a barrier as characters try, fail, and momentarily succeed in connecting with each other. With humor, insight, and curiosity, Kim s wide-ranging stories explore themes of culture, communication, travel, and family. Ultimately, what unites these characters across time and distance is their longing for human connection and a search for the place or people that will feel like home.