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annreadsabook's review against another edition
Wrong time for me!! Will pick up later!
em1gem's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-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? No
5.0
brogan7's review against another edition
The satire stretched plausibility beyond my interest. Very sad because it started off strong, I thought, but the conversation between father and son just became a farce, a manipulation by the author.
shannanh's review against another edition
3.0
The evening Hero is about Dr. Yungman Kwak , A Korean born man practicing medicine in the US. Dr, Kwak works at a small Minnessota hospital in a miner town, and finds out he and all of the other staff members are being let go because the hospital is shutting down. He has also received a threatening letter from someone who still lives in Korea, and is wanting to expose his past. The book goes between his current situation, as well as his childhood and what lead up to the current climate.
The book started off great, and the premise was interesting, but one part of it seemed to slow the book down to the point it took me longer to finish than it should have. There was also a storyline that was introduce that never got resolved. It felt like the ending was not complete. Otherwise, I enjoyed the rest of the book
The book started off great, and the premise was interesting, but one part of it seemed to slow the book down to the point it took me longer to finish than it should have. There was also a storyline that was introduce that never got resolved. It felt like the ending was not complete. Otherwise, I enjoyed the rest of the book
jaygabler's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
A novel that's surprisingly light on its feet, given its weighty subject matter. I interviewed the author for the Duluth News Tribune.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
Minor: Rape
soawesomeness's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
rogueoneapologist's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bookishcori's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
Yungman was a small child during the [Korean] War living in his home village which eventually became North Korea. We meet him as an older OBGYN living in the Iron Range Minnesota, where his life is put into a tailspin - from there we piece together his current life and past experiences.
There’s his wife who’s distant and spends most of her time with her church in the Cities. Maybe because Yungman has ignored her for so long?
There’s his son who is part of a health care startup at the Mall of America that made me cringe so many times. There’s a blond wife and son who are 🥴.
There’s his life back in Korea that he tried to leave behind and forget.
There’s his internalized xenophobia and desire to fully assimilate.
There’s his introspection and admittance that he made mistakes, saying some of the hard things aloud.
✨ I enjoyed this. I also learned a lot about the Korean War (especially from a non-US perspective). It’s overwritten a bit, but still a worthy read.
There’s his wife who’s distant and spends most of her time with her church in the Cities. Maybe because Yungman has ignored her for so long?
There’s his son who is part of a health care startup at the Mall of America that made me cringe so many times. There’s a blond wife and son who are 🥴.
There’s his life back in Korea that he tried to leave behind and forget.
There’s his internalized xenophobia and desire to fully assimilate.
There’s his introspection and admittance that he made mistakes, saying some of the hard things aloud.
✨ I enjoyed this. I also learned a lot about the Korean War (especially from a non-US perspective). It’s overwritten a bit, but still a worthy read.
jasminegalsreadinglog's review against another edition
4.0
The Evening Hero is the story of Yungman who is also called as Dr. Kwak. He is an Ob/gyn in a small town of Minnesota where he has settled with his family. Abruptly his life takes a turn when he is forced to retire when his hospital shuts down. What follows is his new journey where he needs to look deeper into his present and past life.
The Evening Hero is so much more than a literary fiction. It's a story which every immigrant in the United States can relate to. There's a humor in the book which is funny but at the same time reflects what any immigrant might go through when their children grow up in a culture which is different from their upbringing.
This book tackles very important subjects of racism, role of women in the society and the role of Allied forces in the formation of North Korea and South Korea. It was an eyeopener for me into a world which I did not know about. An excellent book which handles serious topics with a humor that is seen seldom. 4.5 Stars.
The Evening Hero is so much more than a literary fiction. It's a story which every immigrant in the United States can relate to. There's a humor in the book which is funny but at the same time reflects what any immigrant might go through when their children grow up in a culture which is different from their upbringing.
This book tackles very important subjects of racism, role of women in the society and the role of Allied forces in the formation of North Korea and South Korea. It was an eyeopener for me into a world which I did not know about. An excellent book which handles serious topics with a humor that is seen seldom. 4.5 Stars.