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clavishorti's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Exploring the pages of Jeong You-Jeong’s The Good Son, I found a captivating blend of psychological thriller and mysterious elements. Despite initially sensing the direction of the narrative, suspicions about certain characters and uncertainties create layers of inner intelligence, inviting deep engagement.
Delving into the English translation by Kim Chi-Young, I felt connected to the clarity of sentences and expressions that flowed seamlessly. The ease of capturing the core of the story allowed me to fully immerse myself without grappling with language barriers. While the narrative at the outset induces a touch of boredom and occasionally falls into wordiness, over time, I found myself captivated and absorbed in the increasingly profound journey of the story.
With this initial gradual pace, I began to wonder if it was intentional to provide a stage for the development of the main character, Yu-Jin. The author’s decision to build the narrative slowly becomes a kind of clever tactic, paving the way for a more in-depth exploration of Yu-Jin’s psychological complexity.
As the plot unfolds, my interest reaches its zenith, creating emotional tension and an irresistible curiosity. One aspect that makes The Good Son shine is how the author successfully presents Yu-Jin’s internal debate with himself. This exposition reveals psychological intricacies in a brilliant manner, drawing the reader into a biting psychological struggle, creating unexpected dimensions of darkness. Thus, as I delve into layer after layer of the story, it’s not just about reading; it’s about feeling the emotional vibrations and inner intelligence permeating through every page.
Despite not encountering truly special elements, the reading journey in The Good Son by Jeong You-Jeong remains satisfying, akin to navigating through corridors of psychological brilliance. Perhaps, with bolder execution, particularly in the context of the psychological thriller genre, this story has the potential to create a more profound impact. An enticing invitation beckoning readers to explore deeper and more challenging psychological layers suggests that the true mystery may not have fully unfolded yet.
Graphic: Blood, Gore, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Car accident
kristina_ligaya's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Mental illness, Death, Stalking, Car accident, Murder, and Violence
catandherbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Mental illness, Death of parent, Blood, Murder, Child death, and Violence
Moderate: Stalking
Minor: Medical content, Suicidal thoughts, and Car accident
vonni's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Emotional abuse, Murder, Body horror, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Animal death, Car accident, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, and Mental illness
Moderate: Medical content
nodogsonthemoon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Violence, Car accident, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Blood
Moderate: Mental illness, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
greta595's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Blood, Cursing, Death, Gore, and Murder
Moderate: Car accident
prixkri's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Car accident, Death, Murder, Blood, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
nadir's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Stalking, Mental illness, Death, Blood, and Car accident
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, and Child death
whitney_walton's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Blood, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Stalking, Ableism, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Body horror, Car accident, Chronic illness, Grief, Murder, Death of parent, Drug use, and Toxic relationship
madarauchiha's review against another edition
- 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
2.75
Ok interesting. You can kinda see how this is going to play out before the book telegraphs it. I don't think the mc was, like, actually psychotic or whatever. The writing and translation was very smooth and enjoyable to read.
I'm agreeing with storygraph user 'historysoverture': " People with mental illness are significantly more likely to be the victim of a crime than the perpetrator. And there's already so much stigma around people with mental illnesses, so why make it worse? Not a terrible book, but not for me. "
content warnings:
minor suicide ideation, dogs, parent death, religion catholic,
medium childbirth, pregnancy, alcohol use, death, medical content,
major ableism, incest, sexual harassment, medical abuse, child abuse, child death, drowning, femicide, stalking, toxic relationships, gore, murder, parental death, blood, mental illness, violence, sharps, car accidents
Graphic: Ableism, Incest, Sexual harassment, Medical trauma, Child death, Child abuse, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Gore, Murder, Death of parent, Death, Blood, Mental illness, Violence, and Car accident
Moderate: Pregnancy, Alcohol, Death, and Medical content
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Death of parent