You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
dark
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I listened to this story during my commute. It was hard to keep track of everything that was going on at times and so I found my concentration and interesting ebbing and flowing. However, I did listen to the entire 15 CDs it came on and I found it compelling, though complicated and somber. The best part of the audio version is the author talks at the end about how the book came about. It is interesting how an American could write such a deep North Korean narrative. I wonder if the cultural nuances are correct, but overall it's worth reading and listening to.
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
One of the best books I've read that although is a fictional account and highly implausible in some areas is also deeply informative about the conditions and the regime that has existed in North Korea since the end of WWII.
I have spent many hours in the War Memorial of Korea over many visits and this book tends to really focus our attention on the aftermath of so many years of paranoid delusional leadership and how an entire society can be brought to its knees by an extreme autocratic family run operation! The War Memorial really rounded out my understanding of Korean history since I knew little beyond the Japanese period starting in the 1930's and the Korean War. This book rounded out the social consequences since the end of the war and highlighted the pugnacity of the current regime! It is well worth the read for anybody who wants a better understanding of what the world faces on the Korean peninsula.
I have spent many hours in the War Memorial of Korea over many visits and this book tends to really focus our attention on the aftermath of so many years of paranoid delusional leadership and how an entire society can be brought to its knees by an extreme autocratic family run operation! The War Memorial really rounded out my understanding of Korean history since I knew little beyond the Japanese period starting in the 1930's and the Korean War. This book rounded out the social consequences since the end of the war and highlighted the pugnacity of the current regime! It is well worth the read for anybody who wants a better understanding of what the world faces on the Korean peninsula.
It took me nearly a month and a half to finish this book, where normally a book would take me a week or two depending on my schedule. This book was well-written and had an interesting plot, but WOW it is a lot to get through. I found myself bored from the first page, but made myself keep reading. After about 80 pages, I was still not interested in the story. Once the book got to Part 2, it was more intriguing since there was a different point of view (and in first-person). I found myself confused at a lot of this book and looking things up on Shmoop to make sure I understood what was going on. I would not recommend this book to read if you don't really like political satire mixed with violence and gore. Oh, I also did not like one character even a little bit.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This story was not at all what I though it would be and that is okay. I had a vague notion of what North Korea must have been like under the reign of Kim Jong Il, however, I realize that I knew nothing until reading this novel. I thought that this would be the sad story of the Orphan Master's Son as he grew up in the harsh life that falls upon too many in North Korea. I was given a different story entirely as the main character's orphanage upbringing is hardly a focus and instead his life as a he fakes being a commander in power is the predominant aspect of this story.
The characters in this story is what was the true winner. They were so real and gritty, truthful to all aspects of living under an oppressive regime. You had the elder couple who would not say a word against the nation for fear of death. You would have the prisoners who were sentenced to be forgotten in the depths of mines for crimes like having illegal magazines from South Korea in their possession. Then there was Kim Jong Il himself, an amazing character on his own. Granted, I grew up in a time that was toward the end of his reign, but every element of him that was projected as himself was apparent in these pages and then some. His true self was there and it was just as crazy as you might imagine a dictator such as him to be.
There was such tragedy and yet hope in this novel. I believe that such simple elements is what lays in the hearts of many who still suffer in North Korea. There is tragedy in the every day, but there is hope of obtaining something better in the future. That was the core of this novel and it was strangely obtained by the actress who was one of the closest characters to Kim Jong Il. This was an eye opening novel that went beyond what North Korea wants the world to believe they are and went into the heart of what North Korea really is, with all of its horrors and tragedies. Though incredibly strange and incomprehensible at times, I think it all came through in the end.
The characters in this story is what was the true winner. They were so real and gritty, truthful to all aspects of living under an oppressive regime. You had the elder couple who would not say a word against the nation for fear of death. You would have the prisoners who were sentenced to be forgotten in the depths of mines for crimes like having illegal magazines from South Korea in their possession. Then there was Kim Jong Il himself, an amazing character on his own. Granted, I grew up in a time that was toward the end of his reign, but every element of him that was projected as himself was apparent in these pages and then some. His true self was there and it was just as crazy as you might imagine a dictator such as him to be.
There was such tragedy and yet hope in this novel. I believe that such simple elements is what lays in the hearts of many who still suffer in North Korea. There is tragedy in the every day, but there is hope of obtaining something better in the future. That was the core of this novel and it was strangely obtained by the actress who was one of the closest characters to Kim Jong Il. This was an eye opening novel that went beyond what North Korea wants the world to believe they are and went into the heart of what North Korea really is, with all of its horrors and tragedies. Though incredibly strange and incomprehensible at times, I think it all came through in the end.
This book was very different from books I typically read. The subject matter was very depressing and I found myself confused at times, both with the order that events revealed themselves and with some of the minor characters. There was a point where I thought about giving it up because it was becoming a chore to read, but I stuck with it because of all the hype. I'm glad I did because the ending, while not necessarily a happy one, did bring everything together in the ultimate sacrifice for true freedom.