Korean novel `...Mother` to be published in 15 countries

The publication rights for the best-selling South Korean novel "Take Care of My Mother" have been sold in 15 countries, with the first overseas edition to be published in China next year, a local agency said Tuesday, according to Yonhap News.

"...Mother," written by top female author Shin Kyung-sook, set a record by selling 1 million copies during the shortest period ever in South Korea. First published November last year, 1.2 million copies of the novel have been sold so far.

A publisher in Norway became the 15th to buy publication rights for the novel this month, following those in the United States, England, Germany, France, Italy, Israel, China, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Brazil, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain, according to Imprima Korea Agency, which handles overseas publication rights.

China`s People`s Literature Publishing House has finished translating the novel to go on sale next year, while American and English publishing houses plan to finish translation and publish the book by May 2011, the agency said.

"...Mother," especially widely read by women in their 20s and 30s, features an old woman who suffers from Alzheimer`s disease, which her family members are unaware of until she goes missing while on her way to visit her daughter.