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3.38 AVERAGE
3.38 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
A strange, haunting novel about a man who is widowed and paralysed in a car accident. It certainly is a terrifying thought to become so cut off from and yet utterly dependent upon others. However I found parts of this novel to be a little dull. Thelast quarter did become more interesting. Fantastically written throughout but perhaps not for me
dark
tense
It was a quiet horror. This is not gory horror, but it is more like a psychological thriller. I felt it was claustrophobic a bit and it quietly gave me palpitations!
I liked this one! It is a translated work from Korean. If I have a chance, I would like to read more of these!!
I liked this one! It is a translated work from Korean. If I have a chance, I would like to read more of these!!
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Even though he's the protagonist, he's not a great person.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Domestic abuse
Moderate: Misogyny
This book was touted as a psychological thriller/horror novel but it missed both marks for me.
Yes, the circumstances the protagonist finds himself in are ripe for horror. Oghi is a cheating husband who has been paralyzed in a car crash that killed his wife (he was driving). He is unable to speak, unable to move and is now at the mercy of his mother-in-law who may, or may not know of his infidelity.
Though the author does a good job of slow-simmering the tension and making us wonder about the MIL's motives, the book never really crosses the line into horror for me. He is definitely neglected and emotionally abused...but this is no Misery. Most of the anxiety and tension he feels comes from his own survivor's guilt.
As for the psychological thriller, I feel this may have been lost in translation. I'm sure there is a reason the MIL is Japanese and the son-in-law Korean, but I think I may have lost much of the nuanced psychological and social issues between the two races due to my Western ignorance.
In the end, I was left with the conclusion that the hole the MIL dug was a metaphor for Oghi's guilt and regret...then again, maybe a hole is just a hole. Though wonderfully written and a quick read, I don't think I was the most appropriate audience for this novel.
Yes, the circumstances the protagonist finds himself in are ripe for horror. Oghi is a cheating husband who has been paralyzed in a car crash that killed his wife (he was driving). He is unable to speak, unable to move and is now at the mercy of his mother-in-law who may, or may not know of his infidelity.
Though the author does a good job of slow-simmering the tension and making us wonder about the MIL's motives, the book never really crosses the line into horror for me. He is definitely neglected and emotionally abused...but this is no Misery. Most of the anxiety and tension he feels comes from his own survivor's guilt.
As for the psychological thriller, I feel this may have been lost in translation. I'm sure there is a reason the MIL is Japanese and the son-in-law Korean, but I think I may have lost much of the nuanced psychological and social issues between the two races due to my Western ignorance.
In the end, I was left with the conclusion that the hole the MIL dug was a metaphor for Oghi's guilt and regret...then again, maybe a hole is just a hole. Though wonderfully written and a quick read, I don't think I was the most appropriate audience for this novel.
dark
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes