Peace under the shade of heaven

Author's Name: Chih Man Shik

Since the publication of his novel "Peace Under Heaven" in Seoul in 1938 by Choi Man-shik, one of the most famous and internationally acclaimed Korean writers of the 20th century, the novel has occupied a distinguished place in the history of Korean literature in general, and among the works of fiction that express society during the Japanese occupation of Korea, in particular.
In 15 chapters, Chae Man-shik presents a dramatic, richly detailed portrait, brimming with irony, introspection, and black comedy, depicting the life of Professor Yoon and his family, and their constant struggles to maintain their status, wealth, and other gains, and to survive and fulfill their ambitions amidst a volatile society steadily advancing into twentieth-century modernity. The conflicts between family members, the declining social conditions, and the accelerating disintegration of Korean society's moral values ​​and traditions intertwine with a profound insight into the conditions of Korean farmers under feudalism, presenting the reader with a stunning, multi-layered, and quietly engaging portrait of the hidden lives and unique culture of Koreans during the war.
Chih Man-shik's works have been translated into several languages, including English, French, Russian, and German. Afak Publishing House presents one of his most important works for the first time to Arabic readers, translated directly from Korean by Alaa Fathy and Marwa Zahran.