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esdeecarlson's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
A compulsively readable novel about a young man coming of age in North Korea, with the help of a tourist’s forgotten Dungeons & Dragons handbook, The Sorcerer of Pyongyang is the kind of story you can read in a day and think about for months.
The novel nicely balances its conceit as a nonfiction account, written by Theroux as biographer, with the aims of the fictive narrative. Through Jun-su, our protagonist, the reader is able to glimpse various angles and strata of North Korean life—provincial and urban, ordinary and privileged, imprisoned and international. Theroux writes Jun-su with a rich interiority that makes his early devotion to the North Korean state and its Dear Leader comprehensible and idealistic, rather than the butt of a joke.
I think this text would be well suited for a classroom as a thoughtful work of literary fiction. Personally, I found some of Jun-su’s observations about the methods by which Kim’s regime keeps ordinary North Koreans in line strikingly relevant even as a citizen of the capitalist, democratic US. One of my big take-aways from the story was the essential need for nuance, for acknowledging and grappling with the complexity of ideas and of people.
I would recommend this novel to literary fiction readers but would also say that, due to its simple (but lovely) language and brisk pace, to any readers of fiction interested in the story of a boy with a big imagination—and the consequences that imagination has for him.
Content warnings: state/police violence, non-graphic pedophilia, public execution, animal abandonment
[This book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. However, I am a Bad Reviewer and did not get around to downloading it in time, so I read a published copy from my local library]
A compulsively readable novel about a young man coming of age in North Korea, with the help of a tourist’s forgotten Dungeons & Dragons handbook, The Sorcerer of Pyongyang is the kind of story you can read in a day and think about for months.
The novel nicely balances its conceit as a nonfiction account, written by Theroux as biographer, with the aims of the fictive narrative. Through Jun-su, our protagonist, the reader is able to glimpse various angles and strata of North Korean life—provincial and urban, ordinary and privileged, imprisoned and international. Theroux writes Jun-su with a rich interiority that makes his early devotion to the North Korean state and its Dear Leader comprehensible and idealistic, rather than the butt of a joke.
I think this text would be well suited for a classroom as a thoughtful work of literary fiction. Personally, I found some of Jun-su’s observations about the methods by which Kim’s regime keeps ordinary North Koreans in line strikingly relevant even as a citizen of the capitalist, democratic US. One of my big take-aways from the story was the essential need for nuance, for acknowledging and grappling with the complexity of ideas and of people.
I would recommend this novel to literary fiction readers but would also say that, due to its simple (but lovely) language and brisk pace, to any readers of fiction interested in the story of a boy with a big imagination—and the consequences that imagination has for him.
Content warnings: state/police violence, non-graphic pedophilia, public execution, animal abandonment
[This book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. However, I am a Bad Reviewer and did not get around to downloading it in time, so I read a published copy from my local library]
montigneyrules's review against another edition
3.0
#readingchallenge2023 (my book with a city/country in the title)
Mixed feelings review, as the novel wasn’t quite what I was expecting, though it wasn’t bad-
I highly anticipated reading about the impact Dungeons & Dragons, as it provides such a unique form of escapism from everyday humdrum- however while D&D was a driving factor within the novel, it wasn’t as present as I hoped- I wish there was more about the D&D aspects, though the novel was centrally focused on North Korea culture.
Mixed feelings review, as the novel wasn’t quite what I was expecting, though it wasn’t bad.
I highly anticipated reading about the impact of Dungeons & Dragons, as I know first hand the unique form of escapism it can provide from everyday humdrum life. However, while D&D was the driving antagonist throughout the story, it wasn’t as present as I hoped- the novel more centrally depicted North Korean culture; enlightening on the realities of everyday humdrum life.
The novel is not about D&D, it is about fragmented Korean life, and D&D is just a mere conflict premise among the bigger cultural aspects- not a bad story- I learned a lot within the building of the characters & their development, but this shouldn’t be marketed based on D&D- less fantasy more historical fiction.
Mixed feelings review, as the novel wasn’t quite what I was expecting, though it wasn’t bad-
I highly anticipated reading about the impact Dungeons & Dragons, as it provides such a unique form of escapism from everyday humdrum- however while D&D was a driving factor within the novel, it wasn’t as present as I hoped- I wish there was more about the D&D aspects, though the novel was centrally focused on North Korea culture.
Mixed feelings review, as the novel wasn’t quite what I was expecting, though it wasn’t bad.
I highly anticipated reading about the impact of Dungeons & Dragons, as I know first hand the unique form of escapism it can provide from everyday humdrum life. However, while D&D was the driving antagonist throughout the story, it wasn’t as present as I hoped- the novel more centrally depicted North Korean culture; enlightening on the realities of everyday humdrum life.
The novel is not about D&D, it is about fragmented Korean life, and D&D is just a mere conflict premise among the bigger cultural aspects- not a bad story- I learned a lot within the building of the characters & their development, but this shouldn’t be marketed based on D&D- less fantasy more historical fiction.
kittypaws82's review
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
fkshg8465's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book brings back memories of my own resistance to the indoctrination of South Korean propaganda against the North when I was in middle school. Now that I’m grown, it’s hard to say whether I believe a lot of it because it must be true based on external reports and literature like this book or because it’s easier to believe in the absence of information. Regardless, I’m intrigued about how the author chose the topic, researched it, validated research, and if he’s ever been to North Korea himself. I know I would like to visit, aside from fears of being arrested myself as a South Korean US citizen. So it’ll be books like this for now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Alcohol, Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Torture, Chronic illness, Abandonment, Mental illness, Violence, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Drug abuse, Police brutality, Child death, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, and Xenophobia
raccat228's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
The. I’m tells the story of how Dungeons and dragons changes the life of a boy growing up in North Korea. The story is sensitively told and the characters are believable. A good read with a different storyline.
bibliogamer's review against another edition
2.0
Overall, I’m conflicted about The Sorcerer of Pyongyang.
On the one hand, I’m instantly drawn to anything involving North Korea & Dungeons & Dragons. On the other, I had a hard time believing much of the story & how conveniently everything worked out.
On the one hand, I’m instantly drawn to anything involving North Korea & Dungeons & Dragons. On the other, I had a hard time believing much of the story & how conveniently everything worked out.
counthannahreadsalot's review against another edition
5.0
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.
solzhe_boy_nitsyn's review against another edition
4.0
This was so different than what I expected it would be, but way better. A surprisingly enjoyable random read for me.