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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
I loved this. Johnson uses magical realism and political satire in what essentially becomes a thriller/love story. His over-the-top portrayals of the casual cruelty, silly propaganda, and over-sized egos in North Korea's leadership are great.
The book is stylistically creative, split into two halves of one man's identity. The second half is where Johnson's innovative style comes through: the chapters alternate between the protagonist's story, a tertiary character's first-person narrative, and the North Korean government's propaganda version of the narrative.
Equally funny and brutal, Johnson illuminates how an entire nation can be misinformed and kept in the dark. Ultimately though, it's the human story at the center that won me over: how self-preservation, hope, love, and sacrifice can play out in any culture.
The book is stylistically creative, split into two halves of one man's identity. The second half is where Johnson's innovative style comes through: the chapters alternate between the protagonist's story, a tertiary character's first-person narrative, and the North Korean government's propaganda version of the narrative.
Equally funny and brutal, Johnson illuminates how an entire nation can be misinformed and kept in the dark. Ultimately though, it's the human story at the center that won me over: how self-preservation, hope, love, and sacrifice can play out in any culture.
Not one of our bookclubbers got through this story. I took the lead of these wise women.
Not a feel-good book. It started strong but took a left turn 40% of the way in that I couldn't ultimately accept. The character of the actress in particular really started to wear thin.
I just finished a month-long slog through this book. First of all, it was about twice as long as it needed to be, with lots of extraneous description and story that did not support the main plot. The overall story was interesting, and the only reason I kept reading was to find out what happened to the characters at the end. But even though I liked the plot, I felt that the execution was deeply flawed. I also didn't care for the author's writing style. There were long stretches of VERY DRY writing. And the numerous loudspeaker announcements from the government were too long-winded. If he was trying to reflect reality with those announcements then he should have included a lot fewer of them. I won't give anything away, but the ending was immensely unsatisfying and disappointing.
Part of me is surprised that this won the Pulitzer Prize. But part of me is not surprised, because this is definitely not the first time I've been unhappy with a Pulitzer Prize winner.
Part of me is surprised that this won the Pulitzer Prize. But part of me is not surprised, because this is definitely not the first time I've been unhappy with a Pulitzer Prize winner.
Not sure about this, maybe it was over my head. There was just too much cruelty for me to say I liked it
Pretty heavy stuff, graphic and disturbing, but so well written and so well researched. I learned a lot about what it must be like in North Korea.
The structure of the book as well as the subject make this such an interesting read. I was immersed and did not want to put it down because I cared so much about what happened to the characters.
The structure of the book as well as the subject make this such an interesting read. I was immersed and did not want to put it down because I cared so much about what happened to the characters.
I put this book on my to-read list based on reviews, but when I got it and read the dust-jacket, I wasn't expecting to really like it.
Oh my. From the first pages, I was hooked. I have no idea if there is any accuracy in the portrayal of life in N. Korea, but the story and characters captivated me. This is one of those books that stays with me long after I close the cover.
Oh my. From the first pages, I was hooked. I have no idea if there is any accuracy in the portrayal of life in N. Korea, but the story and characters captivated me. This is one of those books that stays with me long after I close the cover.
A hauntingly beautiful story that will change how you see the world.
I made it to page 100 but I can't continue. This book is not for me. Reading about kidnapping innocent Japanese men and women who will never be seen again, and reading about the overall brutality and inhumanity of the North Korean government is beyond what I would like to do in my spare time. Also, I don't think the author is that clear in his writing - I often found what he wrote confusing. This is my second non-finish of a recent Pulitzer Prize (Goldfinch being the other). I think I need to fight some lighter material.
Good book -- I didn't think it was as incredible as the hype lead me to believe, but it was interesting. Many scenes brought to mind Orwell's 1984 which I recently re-read.