Swedish envoy lauds writer for healing readers' minds

By Kang Hyun-kyung

Ha Il-ji, a writer who has a polarizing reputation among the readers of his controversial books, said that he tries to reflect the reality of human life in his works in the simplest and easiest possible way.

Nearly two decades have passed since his series of racetrack novels caused a stir.

“I think that human life is not so complex as some suggest and it is simply the cyclical repetition of eating, drinking, working and sleeping,” he said during a meeting with the members of Seoul Literary Society at Swedish Ambassador Lars Danielsson’s residence in Seoul on Feb.10.

“So I tried to describe the pattern in my works. And I think I wrote them in simple and plain language in my books and believe they are readable. But my readers have very different thoughts of my books. Some of them said they didn’t get them.”

The writer was referring to his book series Racetracks in the 1990s. The series had generated a heated debate back then.

The first piece, “The Road to Racetrack,” came under heavy criticism both from critics and readers.

They detested the way the writer described the sexual drive of the unfaithful male character, identified with initial R, and the frustration he had when he experienced repeated rejections from the woman he maintained extramarital relationships with.

Ha admitted that back then his book caused a stir.

Swedish Ambassador Danielsson commented that the writer seemed to be the kind of person who always attracts attention from the public.

Citing former Prime Minister and conservative politician Lee Hong-koo as a fan of the writer, the envoy said that Ha is a good writer who has the skill to create inner turmoil in his readers and then heal their minds through his books.

“Those who read his books will think that a conservative politician like Lee would find Ha’s books provocative. In fact, he told me that he loved them,” the Swedish ambassador said. He went on to say that he had lunch with Lee hours before the book club meeting.

Writer Ha said that his readers are divided. “Five of every 10 people who read my first racetrack sequel hated it. They regarded me as an unethical writer,” he said. “Four of them said they never understood my work. And the remaining one became a fan of my book.”

Dozens of Seoul Literary Club members, including ambassadors from Poland, Bulgaria, Turkey and Mexico, attended the meeting.