Cursed Bunny – Bora Chung
Bora Chung’s “Cursed Bunny” is an eclectic collection of genre-blending stories, mixing horror, magical realism, dystopia and science fiction. This was my first dive into the K-horror subgenre, and the author focuses heavily on the experiences of women — as sexual beings, mothers and people with ambitions who are often forced into restrictive roles.
The stories feel like fables or folklore, carrying a timelessness as though the reader is being passed down lessons or cautionary tales. Each is inventive and unconventional, but they won’t appeal to everyone.
The Head: A woman repeatedly encounters a growing head in her toilet. It is as grotesque as it sounds, though it drags on a bit too long. 3/5 stars.
The Embodiment: Some disturbing body horror about a woman who becomes pregnant after taking birth control. There were interesting cultural elements and a shocking premise, but it overstays its welcome. 3/5 stars.
Cursed Bunny: One of the stronger entries, it reads like a folktale about revenge and curses. It’s engaging, with a solid twist at the end. 4/5 stars.
The Frozen Finger: A creepy story about gaslighting and suspicion between two teachers after an accident. The atmosphere is unsettling, but it’s a bit repetitive. 3/5 stars.
Snare: One of the strongest from start to finish, this story about a man trapping a fox that bleeds gold is a sharp critique of greed and capitalism. 4/5 stars.
Goodbye, My Love: Another standout, it focuses on a woman who clings to her first robot companion and touches on themes of love and loss, making it both eerie and emotionally resonant. 4/5 stars.
Scars: The longest story in the collection, it follows a boy kept captive by a beast, but ultimately it’s too drawn out for the payoff. 3/5 stars.
Home Sweet Home: A domestic horror piece that felt disjointed and didn’t quite come together. 2/5 stars.
Ruler of the Winds and Sands: A parable on greed, this story leans more toward fantasy and magical realism. It wasn’t particularly my style, but the message was clear. 3/5 stars.
Reunion: My favorite in the collection, this tender and heart-wrenching story about a Korean student seeing ghosts in Poland is proof that Chung doesn’t need shock to deliver emotional impact. 5/5 stars.
I liked that each story had a twist ending, reminiscent of “The Twilight Zone,” and while not everything worked for me, I appreciated the depth of creativity and the unique concepts.
The narration by Greta Jung didn’t enhance the reading experience — her delivery felt stilted in parts, though she did nail the eerie tone.
Overall, “Cursed Bunny” is a creative, yet uneven collection. While some stories are haunting and memorable, others feel stretched or underdeveloped. Fans of unconventional horror might find it worth the read, but for me, it was hit or miss.
Rating (story): 3/5 stars
Rating (narration): 3/5 stars
Format: Audiobook (library loan)
Dates read: October 2 – October 6, 2024
Multi-tasking: Okay. Each story requires quite a bit of concentration - both because of the content, and the stilted narration. Only participate in low-attention activities, like cleaning or walking.
