(Reviewed by JD Jung)
Eric Kherson is forty years old, divorced, has little contact with his son, and is struggling to find meaning in his life. He makes a good living but feels disconnected from both his personal life and his sense of purpose . When an old school acquaintance he barely remembered, Amelie, offers him a government job helping persuade Samsung to build a factory in Mulhouse, France, he accepts, hoping a change will bring new direction.
The business trip to South Korea soon takes an unexpected turn. While walking the streets of Seoul, he realizes that he feels out of sync with the rest of the world and is not motivated to work. A chance encounter with a mysterious storefront called “Happy Life” introduces him to an unusual concept designed to restore a person’s desire to live a full life. From there, the story ventures into fascinating and unpredictable territory. This not only affects Eric, but others as well.
Author David Foenkinos explores themes of purpose, happiness, and self-discovery in a way that feels refreshingly original. While some of the novel’s ideas are undeniably bizarre, the emotions driving the characters are genuine and relatable. The vivid setting in Seoul and later in France complements the story’s introspective tone.
I always appreciate novels that take risks while keeping me completely engaged, and Happy Life does exactly that. If you’re looking for a novel that explores the search for meaning in an imaginative and unconventional way, I highly recommend this one.