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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
If you can stomach almost unceasing darkness, torture, mental torment, pointless wasteful killing in the sickest ways possible, kidnappings, prison mines, and so much more, the story is not half bad.
This book is tremendous. It will shake you and keep shaking you through the roller coaster ride that is the North Korean narrative. This book even overshadows other dystopian fiction like Orwell's 1984 simply because it is so much more than an author's imagined creation. It feels as though someone read 1984 as a field guide and used it to conjure up a real place, except that the real place is even more jarring, even less believable, even more shaped by the power of propagandist narrative than Orwell's fiction could have conjured.
Johnson has done a stunning job of blending together a compelling narrative along with deep research into a land that most of us have only vague notions about. While reading this book, I started reading North Korean news websites and watching YouTube videos and documentaries that were accessible to me. What I started realizing was how accurate Johnson's depictions were, and how little embellishment there was even for some of the most unbelievable scenes.
It has now been over a month since I read this book but it still remains fresh in my mind as an eye-opener, a thriller, an educational journey and a good piece of literary fiction to read. I highly recommend it.
Johnson has done a stunning job of blending together a compelling narrative along with deep research into a land that most of us have only vague notions about. While reading this book, I started reading North Korean news websites and watching YouTube videos and documentaries that were accessible to me. What I started realizing was how accurate Johnson's depictions were, and how little embellishment there was even for some of the most unbelievable scenes.
It has now been over a month since I read this book but it still remains fresh in my mind as an eye-opener, a thriller, an educational journey and a good piece of literary fiction to read. I highly recommend it.
On loan from Jack. Mostly engaging, but some pacing/character issues? The Great Leader is a hot air balloon in the Macy's Day Parade. How could any characterization of Kim Jong Il succeed? Would have been better if written by a North Korean; I don't think I trust this book. More interested in the journals Adam Johnson might have kept while researching.
3 1/2 really... I enjoyed the story and grew affection for its characters, it just never really pulled off the Asian sensibility for me. While there were purer moments where I felt as if I was really reading a North Korean voice, these were primarily, American characters playing at being Korean. (less)
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Brilliant, great, and sad, portrayal of life in North Korea. This is a must read.
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
I think it was brilliantly written, but, not being brilliant myself, I'm not certain. The violence is intense, but I think you really do come away with a feeling of living in an closed environment such as north korea. There were many "funny" lines and truths told about life, love, abandonment, and suffering. Overall, an addicting read.