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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
Absolutely wonderful. Illustrates just how soul-crushing and difficult it can be living under a dictatorship, where the tiniest slip-up can cost you your life or your freedom.
The Sorcerer of Pyongyang was on my list for a while and I couldn't wait to dive in. The story showed great promise at first, but it quickly turned into an aloof book report instead of exploring all the possibilities within Jun-su's journey. Many of the pivot points were too cleverly contrived for the weight of the events, and the ending...well, it kinda cheaped out. At least it was a fast read, and it renewed my interest in learning more about North Korean society and culture.
Absolutely loved this book and give it a glowing 4.5 stars. It only just barely falls short of 5 stars because there are some abrupt changes from Jun-su's POV to the author's own internal thoughts without warning. There are also some parts of the story I would have liked explained or at least hinted at sooner than the last chapter of the book because when they occur, you're left scratching your head.
I'm left with a dread fascination of North Korena culture and their way of life under such a horrifying "government". In media and pop culture, North Korea is painted as "everyone is so starving and so brainwashed that they don't have time for family, romance, or leisure". While there are definitely shades of that as you will see in very real detail much to your own dismay, they are human. Perhaps my biggest take away from this novel is that propaganda combined with nationalism can easily become normal. When I was a young kid in school, I thought nothing of the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America done every single morning. Now? It rouses an unbearable anger inside me that we even dare to toe the line of nationalism that as evidenced here, leads to hell on earth.
I'm grateful for Theroux's telling of this story and Jun-su, and everyone else who has had the iron will and strength to escape NK. Even for those who haven't, I keep them in my thoughts and hope better days find them.
I'm left with a dread fascination of North Korena culture and their way of life under such a horrifying "government". In media and pop culture, North Korea is painted as "everyone is so starving and so brainwashed that they don't have time for family, romance, or leisure". While there are definitely shades of that as you will see in very real detail much to your own dismay, they are human. Perhaps my biggest take away from this novel is that propaganda combined with nationalism can easily become normal. When I was a young kid in school, I thought nothing of the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America done every single morning. Now? It rouses an unbearable anger inside me that we even dare to toe the line of nationalism that as evidenced here, leads to hell on earth.
I'm grateful for Theroux's telling of this story and Jun-su, and everyone else who has had the iron will and strength to escape NK. Even for those who haven't, I keep them in my thoughts and hope better days find them.
I feel conflicted about this book. It was interesting, had good pacing (a little fast/unbelievable/too coincidental at times) and provides an interesting look into North Korean life. The added aspect of Dungeons and Dragons was an interesting component.
But.
I’m never really a fan of people belonging to one culture and writing characters from a different one. It seemed well researched, but at the end of the day it’s a fictional book about an extremely clandestine place being written by someone who isn’t Korean. Just too many caveats.
But.
I’m never really a fan of people belonging to one culture and writing characters from a different one. It seemed well researched, but at the end of the day it’s a fictional book about an extremely clandestine place being written by someone who isn’t Korean. Just too many caveats.
This was a remarkably powerful story, and I left it genuinely wondering how real it was - from the tone and details of the story, it is truly hard to tell if this is a fictionalized story loosely based on someone's life, or if it's a fully biographical account. The incorporation of Dungeons and Dragons was very interesting, especially because I can definitely see how D&D could be viewed as promoting dangerous thought in NK or as a good way to practice statistics and decision making. The great irony that is central to living in North Korea is so painstakingly highlighted in this, it makes for an excellent introduction to North Korea for a lot of foreigners, without being too heartbreaking of a read like some others on the topic. You can tell how much research the writer has done into North Korea, and that is worth so much.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Alcohol, Classism
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Sexism, Violence, Medical content
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Sexual violence
A young North Korean boy finds a means of escape through Dungeons and Dragons, and in doing so considers the question of what it means to be in charge of your destiny: are you a player, or a non-player character?
I haven't read anything like this and it wasn't what I expected--but I loved it especially the end
Clinical and detached. A biography written by a non believer, so all of that is missing.