The Salmon Who Dared to Leap Higher

by Ahn Do-hyun

A gentle fable that swims deeper than it looks.

What It’s About

This slim novel follows Silver Salmon, a fish born in a quiet stream who dares to return to it swimming upstream against the currents, predators, and the pressures of his own kind.

As he journeys back to his birthplace to spawn, we follow not just his physical path, but the emotional, philosophical one as well. Through simple, fable-like narration, Ahn Do-hyun explores questions of identity, instinct, sacrifice, and what it means to live a meaningful life.

There are no big plot twists here. No human characters. Just the river, the salmon, and the pull of something greater than himself.

My Take

Gentle. Poetic. Surprisingly resonant.

This is a quiet book with wide emotional range. The metaphors are clear, almost didactic, but they don’t feel forced. Instead, they offer room to reflect.

The salmon’s journey becomes a mirror for anyone swimming against the tide, searching for purpose, or returning to something they once left behind.

It reminded me that bravery doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it’s just persistence, direction, and grace under pressure.

Would I Recommend It?

Yes. Especially if you enjoy books like The Little Prince or The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly. It’s a short, meditative read that lingers longer than expected.

Best read in one or two sittings, with space to reflect afterward.

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Read it if you liked:

• The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly by Sun-mi Hwang

• Allegorical stories with poetic language and big emotional questions

• Books about identity, purpose, or choosing a different path

Where to Read It:

Buy on Amazon or on Bookshop.org

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• Also available via WorldCat if you want to check your local library

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My Asian Era is where literature meets culture, thoughtful reviews, quiet voices, and stories worth slowing down for.