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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
dark
tense
slow-paced
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
a collection of short stories shown in the perspective of twisted, conniving, and quite aptly, murderous people.
dark
There are different short stories but only the first one fits the title… not sure why there are 3 other short stories into this book.
The short stories itself are okay, but all of them left me feeling a little confused with the ending.
The short stories itself are okay, but all of them left me feeling a little confused with the ending.
a collection of short stories shown in the perspective of twisted, conniving, and quite aptly, murderous people.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Diary of a Murderer: And Other Stories by Kim Young-Ha is a collection of four short stories that captivate readers with their intriguing narratives and skillful storytelling. Delving into the complexities of life, identity, and relationships, the anthology encompasses a range of emotions, from suspenseful thrillers to heartfelt reflections.
The opening story, "Diary of a Murderer," chronicles the journey of Kim Byeongsu, a former serial killer grappling with Alzheimer's disease. This story will bring you into his mind as he faces various problems, including the firm decision to carry out one final act of murder in order to protect his daughter, Kim Eun Hee. Written in a unique diary-style narrative, the story cleverly weaves dark humor and poetic elements, delivering a suspenseful and immersive reading experience.
In "The Origin of Life," the author explores the relentless pursuit for a sense of belonging amidst the perpetual transience of living conditions since childhood. The central character, Seojin, experiences a profound yearning for a true 'origin' to return to, adding depth to the thematic complexity. Emotionally connected to a girl named Ina, Seojin's relationship with her offers profound insights into the intricacies of human connections and bonds. In Seojin's eyes, Ina represents the epitome of his source of origin, resulting in a deeply intricate connection. The story takes an unexpected shift in its storytelling approach, which may momentarily puzzle readers, including myself. Nevertheless, as the plot unfolds, the story gains momentum, delivering a fast-paced and captivating reading experience.
The third story, "Missing Child," movingly depicts the heart-wrenching journey of Yunseok and Mira as they desperately search for their lost child. Similar to the preceding stories, this plot exhibits a comparable level of complexity. Themes of loss and mental well-being, particularly depression, enrich its emotional depth, eliciting strong empathetic responses from readers. The author adeptly intertwines these elements, crafting a resonant and thought-provoking reading experience.
Wrapping up the anthology is "The Writer," a story centered around a writer facing personal hurdles and experiencing a creative slump while working on a new novel for publication. Through the character Bak Mansu, this story offers insight into a writer's inner musings and thought processes. I found myself thoroughly captivated by the plot, as it proved to be a compelling and enthralling read. Diverging from the preceding three stories, "The Writer" includes explicit erotic scenes and delves into candid discussions about sexual matters.
In conclusion, Diary of a Murderer: And Other Stories is a captivating anthology, skillfully translated by Krys Lee to preserve the stories' distinctive allure without sacrificing accessibility. "Diary of a Murderer" rightfully takes its place as a standout centerpiece, solidifying its position as the title story. With its masterful deployment of plot twists and surprises, the anthology offers a captivating and emotionally resonant literary journey, making it a valuable and worthwhile addition to any reader's bookshelf.
The opening story, "Diary of a Murderer," chronicles the journey of Kim Byeongsu, a former serial killer grappling with Alzheimer's disease. This story will bring you into his mind as he faces various problems, including the firm decision to carry out one final act of murder in order to protect his daughter, Kim Eun Hee. Written in a unique diary-style narrative, the story cleverly weaves dark humor and poetic elements, delivering a suspenseful and immersive reading experience.
In "The Origin of Life," the author explores the relentless pursuit for a sense of belonging amidst the perpetual transience of living conditions since childhood. The central character, Seojin, experiences a profound yearning for a true 'origin' to return to, adding depth to the thematic complexity. Emotionally connected to a girl named Ina, Seojin's relationship with her offers profound insights into the intricacies of human connections and bonds. In Seojin's eyes, Ina represents the epitome of his source of origin, resulting in a deeply intricate connection. The story takes an unexpected shift in its storytelling approach, which may momentarily puzzle readers, including myself. Nevertheless, as the plot unfolds, the story gains momentum, delivering a fast-paced and captivating reading experience.
The third story, "Missing Child," movingly depicts the heart-wrenching journey of Yunseok and Mira as they desperately search for their lost child. Similar to the preceding stories, this plot exhibits a comparable level of complexity. Themes of loss and mental well-being, particularly depression, enrich its emotional depth, eliciting strong empathetic responses from readers. The author adeptly intertwines these elements, crafting a resonant and thought-provoking reading experience.
Wrapping up the anthology is "The Writer," a story centered around a writer facing personal hurdles and experiencing a creative slump while working on a new novel for publication. Through the character Bak Mansu, this story offers insight into a writer's inner musings and thought processes. I found myself thoroughly captivated by the plot, as it proved to be a compelling and enthralling read. Diverging from the preceding three stories, "The Writer" includes explicit erotic scenes and delves into candid discussions about sexual matters.
In conclusion, Diary of a Murderer: And Other Stories is a captivating anthology, skillfully translated by Krys Lee to preserve the stories' distinctive allure without sacrificing accessibility. "Diary of a Murderer" rightfully takes its place as a standout centerpiece, solidifying its position as the title story. With its masterful deployment of plot twists and surprises, the anthology offers a captivating and emotionally resonant literary journey, making it a valuable and worthwhile addition to any reader's bookshelf.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Dementia, Car accident, Murder
Moderate: Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Violence
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"My life can be divided into thirds: my childhood before I killed my father; my youth and my adult life as a murderer; then my peaceful life after I stopped murdering."
--
I finally had time ( and the guts) to pick up another book by the same writer who traumatized me last year through another significant piece of literature 'I Have the Right to Destroy Myself' and now I'm as flabbergasted as I was last year, after reading this very book.
•Initial story: Diary of a Murderer
In short, it's a gut wrenching story in which the narrator commits murder once again after a "hiatus", but unlike his other perfect, fulfilling and memorable murders, it's a "plain" murder since he doesn't remember its details. It's a story about someone who committed murder during the darkest ages in Korea and felt proud enough to picture himself in the luxury of being arrested.
I had to count my brain cells numerous times while reading about this 70 years old something,lonely man with Alzheimer's talking about his deeply rooted relationship with love, grief, self satisfaction and most importantly his 'beloved' daughter Eunhui before getting hit with a bolt lightening.
As a kdramas/kmovies fan, let me say this: THIS story NEEDS a movie adaptation, I'm beyond sure that many people will immediately engrave it in their souls. (But cast Jung Gong hwan because he is so fit for Kim Byeongsu's character!!!)
I haven't dug into the other stories yet, but I'm writing this review because this initial story is intriguingly captivating and is insatiably worth talking about.
3.95/5: I reckon that Byeongsu's philosophy was already as clear as the sun on a fine summer morning,so the author didn't need to add more literary clichéd references to make him seem more "sophisticated".
--
I finally had time ( and the guts) to pick up another book by the same writer who traumatized me last year through another significant piece of literature 'I Have the Right to Destroy Myself' and now I'm as flabbergasted as I was last year, after reading this very book.
•Initial story: Diary of a Murderer
In short, it's a gut wrenching story in which the narrator commits murder once again after a "hiatus", but unlike his other perfect, fulfilling and memorable murders, it's a "plain" murder since he doesn't remember its details. It's a story about someone who committed murder during the darkest ages in Korea and felt proud enough to picture himself in the luxury of being arrested.
I had to count my brain cells numerous times while reading about this 70 years old something,lonely man with Alzheimer's talking about his deeply rooted relationship with love, grief, self satisfaction and most importantly his 'beloved' daughter Eunhui before getting hit with a bolt lightening.
As a kdramas/kmovies fan, let me say this: THIS story NEEDS a movie adaptation, I'm beyond sure that many people will immediately engrave it in their souls. (But cast Jung Gong hwan because he is so fit for Kim Byeongsu's character!!!)
I haven't dug into the other stories yet, but I'm writing this review because this initial story is intriguingly captivating and is insatiably worth talking about.
3.95/5: I reckon that Byeongsu's philosophy was already as clear as the sun on a fine summer morning,so the author didn't need to add more literary clichéd references to make him seem more "sophisticated".