I began reading Korean literature relatively late, at 16 years old. The first book that left a lasting impression on me was Cho Chang In's 'The Father and Son Fish'. In particular, I found myself drawn to the character of the wife, Ha Ae Ri.

Ae Ri was initially a young artist, impressed by the writing talent of the father character, Jeong Ho Yeon. They married and had a son named Jeong Daum. However, Jeong Ho Yeon's unstable income led to significant financial difficulties for the family. Unable to endure the daily struggles for survival, Ae Ri chose to leave, determined to pursue her dream of a career in fine arts.

After she moved to France, Daum was diagnosed with leukemia. Around the same time, Ae Ri remarried. Yet, she and her new husband were unable to have children. This led her to a decision that saddened many readers: to adopt Daum. She successfully brought the boy back into her care.

Book released in 2000, first published in Vietnam in 2017. The title refers to the stickleback fish, known for a specific behavior: after laying eggs, the mother stickleback leaves, while the father protects the eggs without eating or sleeping, at all costs. When the fry hatch and leave the nest, the father stickleback dies by ramming itself into a crevice. Photo: Nha Nam

When I first read the novel, I was initially bothered by Ha Ae Ri. I perceived her as selfish, prioritizing only her own interests. However, after reflection, I began to wonder if she, too, harbored many internal conflicts. She married and had a child at a very young age. When her husband faced financial hardship, the responsibilities of a wife and mother weighed heavily on her. Lacking sufficient life experience, she chose to leave as a way to liberate herself and pursue her artistic aspirations.

After moving to France, she became a well-known artist in her field. My interest in Ae Ri deepened when she admitted that during her time in France, she frequently "dreamt of nightmares, screamed, and woke up", because she missed Daum (according to Nguyen Thi Thu Van's translation).

Were Ae Ri's actions toward Daum and his father motivated by past affections, or simply by personal gain? If she truly cared for the child, why did she make such highly controversial choices? Cho Chang In skillfully crafted Ae Ri with conflicts and dilemmas that are relatable to modern East Asian women, a factor that likely contributed to the work's success.

Ultimately, what resonated most with me about the wife's character upon finishing the book was not whether Ae Ri's actions were right or wrong, but the pervasive power of money in society. While money can unlock new opportunities, it can also corrupt human nature, leading individuals to make chillingly pragmatic decisions.

Nguyen Quynh Chi