The moon that illuminates everything only after darkness falls,

heartrending stories of those offered upon its chilling altar

Shim Yunkyeong’s novel The Moon’s Alter delicately portrays the search for true love amidst the crumbling values of our rapidly changing era. The story follows a grandfather who strives to uphold the family clan’s status by emphasizing the cultural traditions of the head family, as well as his grandson Sangryong, who struggles with establishing his identity due to feelings of inferiority and self-pity as an illegitimate child. The novel also features Sangryong’s stepmother Yu-ssi of Haewoldang, and Dalsirutdaek, who manages the head family’s household with her daughter Jeongsil. Through their intertwined stories, the author eloquently explores the essence of genuine love.

The novel cleverly unfolds through letters written in beautiful classical language (euigochae). The author painstakingly restores the authentic style of the old writing—which in its original form is challenging to even read—by poring over multiple dictionaries late into the night. This not only vividly revives aspects of the past that we were not aware of, but also serves as a poignant and detailed portrayal of the pain experienced by women under the patriarchal system.

The story of Sangryong’s grandmother, Andong Kim-ssi, who was sacrificed as a teenager to her violent father-in-law for giving birth to a daughter, finds its echo in the tale of Jeongsil, driven out of Hyogyedang with her unborn child, whose fate remains unknown. The women of Hyogyedang, who shone softly even under patriarchal oppression, evoke endless pity. Like the moon that illuminates everything only after dark, there were women who slowly climbed over the eaves of Hyogyedang in the shadows. Where have they gone? And finally, who will ascend to the moon’s altar?

Support from Munhakdongne Publishing Corp.