The Painted Skirt

Heartbroken after her short love affair, and her dream of becoming a concert pianist shattered, Inju returns home from her schooling abroad, and finds herself pregnant, alone, and without options in a strict Confucian society that is sure to condemn her. Terrified of an uncertain future, for herself and her unborn child, and with only her strong Christian faith to sustain her, does she dare open her heart again, and accept a lifeline thrown by a virtual stranger who seems too good to be true?

Set against the turbulent political and cultural backdrop of Korea, a nation that has spent much of its two thousand and seven hundred year history for survival among its more powerful, predatory neighbors, suffering as many as some say nine hundred invasions by foreign nations that looked down on her, Inju’s story is an exploration of humanity: its strengths, weaknesses, and determination in the face of impossible odds. It’s a story of courage, faith, and perseverance, but above all, it is a story about love, in all its immutable forms.