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karnakjr's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
The plot is very cool, and the moments of brilliance are grabbing, but the language is soooo stiff. This happened. Then this happened. Then this happened. I like the idea of the character, and I am happy to know ever so slightly more about Korean culture, but it just isn’t written in a way that makes it super enjoyable to read.
peyjturner's review
3.0
So this was a fun foray into classical Korean literature! It read a little like Robin Hood, as the main turning point in the story revolves around the deeds Gildong did as a young man, then read a little more like an myth of King, as was his lot later in life. Either way, a fun read, even if the language felt a little...floral?
vcods's review
5.0
A wonderful translation
Minsoo Kang has done a brilliant job of thoroughly researching the extant versions of the tale and provides a detailed introduction which sets the reader up for the adventure to come. The footnotes are very entertaining and enlightening for anyone new to or familiar with Korean literature. The Story of Hong Gildong reads quickly and its breakneck pace keeps your attention as you follow the protagonist's life from prophetic conception dream to mystic death.
Minsoo Kang has done a brilliant job of thoroughly researching the extant versions of the tale and provides a detailed introduction which sets the reader up for the adventure to come. The footnotes are very entertaining and enlightening for anyone new to or familiar with Korean literature. The Story of Hong Gildong reads quickly and its breakneck pace keeps your attention as you follow the protagonist's life from prophetic conception dream to mystic death.
jazzybear's review
this was clearly not the book for me right now. it feels weird to rate a popular and influential text like this, but nevertheless I didn't like it. gildong is just pissed at the world because he wanted to be legitimate. literally everything else in the book works in his favour. I don't understand why people compare him with Robin Hood. I mean sure there are parallels but gildong is nowhere near common. anyway, I know that the tale was written in a cultural and literary tradition that was quite different from the ones I have been exposed, and thus I will hold my peace and blame it on wrong timing.
italo_carlvino's review
4.0
The Story of Hong Gildong is a lot of fun. There is magic, demons, and more magic. It is not a very long or difficult read, but enjoyable nonetheless. I recommend getting the penguin paperback for its notes and introduction. It was very interesting to learn the cultural importance of the story and how it arose from "low art," the Korean equivalent of pulp fiction.
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