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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
dark
funny
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
slow-paced
Perhaps if I had read it before our current political climate I would have liked it, but I didn't and I hate it.
The announcements constantly through the book, the praise for 'dear leader's, the brain washing of so many people. It's just not for me. I'm sure there are people who loved it. I'm just not that person.
The announcements constantly through the book, the praise for 'dear leader's, the brain washing of so many people. It's just not for me. I'm sure there are people who loved it. I'm just not that person.
What a book! Delightful, impressive, annoying, silly, fun, confusing, enlightening, mysterious, intriguing...well worth the read.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Bleak and brutal. This was a tough read, with a tiny bit of hopefulness at the end, but not enough for this happy ending lover.
I'm glad I read it - it's easy to forget there are people living in such dire circumstances as the people of North Korea. It's sobering to contemplate.
I'm glad I read it - it's easy to forget there are people living in such dire circumstances as the people of North Korea. It's sobering to contemplate.
Just finished this extraordinary novel - which follows the life of Jun Do (John Doe) - a North Korean citizen. Based on extensive research about North Korea, the novel is a searing critique of the propaganda and barbarity of that state. The protagonist's trajectory is 'unbelievable' - but deliberately so - he manages agency (eventually, at at great cost) in a world where that is impossible for most citizens. The writer manages to pull this off - creating a sympathetic '(anti)-hero' and also allowing us, through Jun's biography, to tour some of North Korea's greatest excesses - tae kwon-do championships, propaganda movies, horrible death camps and attempted defections.
Halfway through the novel, the narrative structure abruptly changes. At first, I found this jarring. However, after persisting, I came to see the purpose it served. The author argues (convincingly, I think) that it reflects the disjointed and arbitrary nature of living under such a totalitarian state. Through the eyes of a state interrogator, and through propaganda announcements, we see other angles on the main story.
An amazing and compelling work.
Halfway through the novel, the narrative structure abruptly changes. At first, I found this jarring. However, after persisting, I came to see the purpose it served. The author argues (convincingly, I think) that it reflects the disjointed and arbitrary nature of living under such a totalitarian state. Through the eyes of a state interrogator, and through propaganda announcements, we see other angles on the main story.
An amazing and compelling work.
dark
emotional
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:
No
Incredible and unique story and definitely worth a read.
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
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:
Yes