A Long, Long Night: Winner of the 21st Munhakdongne Children's Literature Award Grand Prize - Bordeumdal Mun-go 83

Author Luli · Publisher Munhakdongne Children · Publication Date 2021-02-03 · ISBN 9788954677158

Book Introduction

The Overwhelming Power of Emotion that Shakes the Heart
It was only natural to be called 'us' after spending countless long, long nights together.
A few years ago, the news of 'Sudan, the last male northern white rhinoceros on Earth' made us deeply reflect. What kind of life did Sudan live until then? What moments did he savor with those weary eyes, and what moments were cut out? What would we encounter if we went back in time to Sudan's moments that we cannot know?
Starting from Sudan, the story 『The Long, Long Night』 received praise such as "the overwhelming power of emotion," "profound questions about the meaning of life and the solemnity of the process of finding them," and "a beautiful portrayal of an endangered rhinoceros and a penguin that never gives up even in extreme circumstances." It won the 21st Munhakdongne Children's Literature Award Grand Prize along with 『Lane 5』.
Noden, a rhinoceros raised among elephants, and a young penguin born from a discarded egg. Noden, who has to live for the sake of his loved ones, and the young penguin, who fiercely strives to live for himself. The journey of these two beings, completely different from head to toe, becoming 'us' and pushing through the long, long night towards the blue horizon (the sea) will remain a source of inner strength for a long time.

"Do you see that horizon? Shimmering green. This is my sea."
"I like it here too. I want to stay here."
"You're a penguin. Penguins have to find the sea."
"Then I'll live as a rhinoceros. Look at my beak. It looks just like a rhino's horn."
"You're already a great rhinoceros. So all that's left is for you to become a great penguin. Come here. I'll hug you. And I'll tell you stories. All night long. You'll find the blue horizon, find the sea, meet friends, and tell them our story." _From the text

"A Small but Great Solidarity of Love"
"I will become a white rhino with Noden."
In the world of elephants, if you can't see, you lean on an elephant who can see; if your legs are 불편, you lean on an elephant with strong legs. Noden lived as a proud elephant, thanks to the unbiased words that not growing a trunk like an elephant was not a problem. But when the time came for him to choose his own future, Noden, supported by the elephants, ventured out into the outside world to become another version of himself, a rhinoceros.
"Just as we were lucky to meet you, someone out there will also be lucky to meet you."

The outside world was happier than Noden had imagined, but the pain was also scorching. From the elephant orphanage to the wild, from the wild to the zoo, and from the zoo back to the road, Noden was accompanied by those who saw the same sights, felt the same raindrops, and melted away the long, long nights with their shared breaths. His wife, who called Noden 'quirky but special rhino' because he was clumsy at living in the wild; Angabu, who taught him how to endure the long, long nights without nightmares; and Chiku, who helped him stand on the 'tomorrow' beyond the terrifying nights he could never get used to. Because they were there, Noden could find strength, and the young penguin could grow up in a love sturdier than the eggshell that had been its entire world. Even if they couldn't fully understand each other, and even if their ultimate destinations were different, the certainty that they were always together brings comfort to readers of this work.

Everything was a miracle. From Wimbo and Chiku holding the abandoned egg, to Wimbo protecting the egg with his entire body during the war, to Chiku meeting Noden and escaping from the zoo, to Chiku cradling the egg until the very last moment, and to Noden being there at that final moment... All of it could only be described as a miracle. _From the text

"Now that you've become a great rhinoceros, all that's left is to become a great penguin."
"A story that will be a pillar of support for children walking painstakingly through a dirty puddle filled with stars."
The journey of Noden the rhinoceros and the young penguin searching for the blue horizon is also a journey to find the answer to who I am and where my dignity comes from. Even in the harsh reality where nothing is easy—eating, sleeping, walking—the young penguin's dignity could remain unbroken because it was surrounded by the 'love' of Chiku and Wimbo, whom it had never seen, and Noden, with whom it had shared everything. Because they had crossed the long, long nights together, because the twinkling eyes of the rhinoceros were engraved as the young penguin's first memory, and because Noden watched the young penguin's retreating back for a long, long time, we believe. We believe that the young penguin will bravely dive into its own sea, endure many more long, long nights, and find something shining like the stars in the long, long night sky.

Another driving force behind 『The Long, Long Night』, a children's story encompassing love, solidarity, and the dignity of life, is its encouragement for children transitioning from one world to another. It offers reassurance that it's okay not to have a name to prove oneself or not to grow a horn, encouragement that one is enough just as they are, even if incomplete and not extraordinary, comfort that one has tried their utmost, belief that countless miracles have come together to form the miracle of 'me,' and the courage to face the sea before them.

"Will other penguins like me? Will they recognize me like Noden did?"
"Of course. At first, they'll probably observe you out of curiosity. But gradually, they'll grow to like you, pay attention to you, learn what you smell like when you're close, and listen to the sound you make when you walk. That's who you are." _From the text

This work simply yet profoundly portrays the pain, fear, and joy of 'living as oneself.' It tells of all the long, long nights, the tears, pain, solidarity, and love of everyone who has been there for me to become who I am today. As the message in 『The Long, Long Night』 suggests, our lives might be like a dirty puddle. But it also reminds us not to forget that there are shining stars in that dirty puddle. I believe this book will serve as a small pillar of support for children who are still walking painstakingly through "a dirty puddle filled with stars" today. _Song Soo-yeon (Children's Literature Critic)

A slight tremor becomes a large ripple.
The captivating illustrations by author Luli, who won the Munhakdongne Children's Literature Award for 『The Long, Long Night』 and the Biryongso Golden Goblin Award for 『They Ultimately Didn't Make it to Bremen』 simultaneously in 2020.
The dramatic power created by the intersection of illustrations and text is intense. The boldly shifting angles and deeply emotional scenes infuse the story with appeal, increasing immersion. The illustrations leading to the epilogue depict the landscape that would have stopped Noden the rhinoceros in his tracks, the path Noden would have walked with his loved ones, conveying the meaning that even if someone's time stops, they are not entirely gone, and that another life and path continue. The fleeting beauty of nature and the vitality spreading even on land swept by fire resonate deeply.

May our long, long nights not be lonely. Even if all that remains is pitch-black darkness, may our stories watch over it. May this story be a small part of that. _Author's note

Children's book reviews after reading this book

The scene where the baby penguin falls, loses strength, and falls again, yet climbs the cliff to the end, was both heartbreaking and impressive. And it was also impressive that even with different appearances and personalities, one can have the same thoughts and values. _Kim Yi-jun (6th grade, Daeheul Elementary)

It felt like watching a movie. I wish Noden and the baby penguin could meet in each other's dreams and be happy, without nightmares during the long, long night. _Kim Chae-eun (5th grade, Gireum Elementary)

What is the difference between a long night and a long, long night? I think for Noden, when the night where he remembered his loved ones with pain became a morning where he could cherish those memories, that night was a long, long night for him. I'm curious how other friends who read this book will interpret the meaning of a long, long night. _Ban Hyun-wook (6th grade, Seongbuk-gu)

I was curious what the three-character title 'The Long, Long Night' would be about, and after reading it, I feel that this title encapsulates all the pain, courage, cooperation, and friendship of the characters. The faint image of the penguin reflected in Noden the rhinoceros's eyes still lingers in my mind. _Jung Yoon-ho (5th grade, Gireum Elementary)

It was sad but moving. I thought it was important to believe that even if we part ways, we can meet again. Like the saying that even if we are far apart, our hearts remain. I wondered if the hope that we can meet someday, by remembering and reminiscing, is the strength that makes me wait even more. _Jung Bom-hae (6th grade, Namgwang Elementary)

Noden, what if I had been with you during your long, long nights? I would have hugged you, made you laugh, comforted your pain, and run faster to find the blue horizon... Someday, when I meet you, Noden, I think I'll recognize you at once. Those sad yet beautiful eyes, that white and mighty horn. If you recognize me too then, let's run together. _Im Dong-hyuk (6th grade, Donggwang Elementary)