Skip to main content.

Korea and Her Neighbors

Gelesen von Availle

(4,5 Sterne; 8 Bewertungen)

In this book, Isabella L. Bird, who had been elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society only 2 years prior, describes her travels through Korea from 1894 - 1897 in her well-known style. She went on lengthy trips through the interior of what is today both North- and South Korea and vividly describes the landscapes, people and customs of the "Hermit Kingdom".

Isabella's sojourn coincided with a time of great turmoil in Korea. Shortly after her arrival, the Japanese occupied the country, ostensibly to protect their expatriate community. But when relations worsend further, Isabella was forced to flee, first to Manchuria, and, after the outbreak of the first Sino-Japanese War (1894 - 1895), to Russia. She returned to Korea only days after the assassination of Queen Min in October 1895, and saw King Gojong reduced to a mere "salaried automaton" until he fled to the Russian Legation in 1896. Isabella, having had several audiences with the monarchs throughout her stay in Seoul, gives a first hand account of the political and governmental changes throughout this time.

Altogether, this is a fascinating account of Korea at a time when the country was not only torn between tradition and modernisation, but also found herself a pawn of Japan, China, and Russia, all vying for control in the Far East. (Summary by Availle)
(18 hr 25 min)

Chapters

Preface and Author's Prefatory Note

15:45

Read by Availle

Introductory Chapter

30:07

Read by Availle

I. First Impressions of Korea

27:45

Read by Availle

II. First Impressions of the Capital

31:58

Read by Availle

III. The Kur-dong

25:04

Read by Availle

IV. Seoul, the Korean Mecca

16:48

Read by Availle

V. The Sailing of the Sampan

13:12

Read by Availle

VI. On the River of Golden Sand

26:15

Read by Availle

VII. Views Afloat

41:18

Read by Availle

VIII. Natural Beauty - The Rapids

40:05

Read by Availle

IX. Korean Marriage Customs

15:09

Read by Availle

X. The Korean Pony - Korean Roads and Inns

29:05

Read by Availle

XI. Diamond Mountain Monasteries

44:35

Read by Availle

XII. Along the Coast - Part 1

35:39

Read by Availle

XII. Along the Coast - Part 2

32:27

Read by Availle

XIII. Impending War - Excitement at Chemulpo

19:17

Read by Availle

XIV. Deported to Manchuria

17:37

Read by Availle

XV. A Manchurian Deluge - A Passenger Cart - An Accident

15:50

Read by Availle

XVI. Mukden and its Missions

17:35

Read by Availle

XVII. Chinese Troops on the March

15:04

Read by Availle

XVIII. Nagasaki - Wladivostok

24:38

Read by Availle

XIX. Korean Settlers in Siberia

38:02

Read by Availle

XX. The Trans-Siberian Railroad

14:51

Read by Availle

XXI. The King's Oath - An Audience

39:35

Read by Availle

XXII. A Transition Stage

18:17

Read by Availle

XXIII. The Assassination of the Queen

33:37

Read by Availle

XXIV. Burial Customs

22:00

Read by Availle

XXV. Song-do: A Royal City

20:51

Read by Availle

XXVI. The Phyong-yang Battlefield

47:45

Read by Availle

XXVII. Northward Ho!

25:23

Read by Availle

XXVIII. Over the An-kil Yung Pass

19:07

Read by Availle

XXIX. Social Position of Women

13:47

Read by Availle

XXX. Exorcists and Dancing Women

35:35

Read by Availle

XXXI. The Hair-cropping Edict

29:49

Read by Availle

XXXII. The Reorganised Korean Government

38:28

Read by Availle

XXXIII. Education and Foreign Trade

28:38

Read by Availle

XXXIV. Daemonism or Shamanism

24:14

Read by Availle

XXXV. Notes on Daemonism Concluded

43:43

Read by Availle

XXXVI. Seoul in 1897

40:39

Read by Availle

XXXVII. Last Words on Korea

35:46

Read by Availle

Bewertungen

Korea at a critical moment

(3 Sterne)

This rather long book recounts the events surrounding a pivotal moment in the modern history of Korea. As such it is more an analysis of political machinations of the time than a travel story and less engaging than the other extraordinary books by this wholly remarkable traveller. However the reading by Availle is, as always, superb.

Another FANTASTIC reading from Availle

(5 Sterne)

Isabella Bird was an amazing woman, and this is another of her incredible travelogues. Availle is one of my favourite readers on the site and it's a joy to hear this book. I have listened to it three times and there is still more to find out each time. Highly recommended and thoroughly enjoyed.