A review by jukietoss
The Old Woman with the Knife by Gu Byeong-mo

mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I absolutely loved this quirky, literary mystery/thriller. The translation was gorgeous, with a beautiful rhythm and cadence in its writing. The pacing of the book was so well-executed, and I was pulled in by the story and characters. I appreciated that we had a primary protagonist whom I found compelling and complex but also had omniscience into other characters in a way that advanced the plot and added texture to the story. 

This was a book about so many things, and I love how they were all woven together--it was a story of aging, of society's treatment and expectations of the elderly, of the parts of us that soften and long for connection even when we've tried to train ourselves out of that. It's a story of discipline, of revenge, of skill/mastery and of a gradual diminution of mastery as our bodies and minds progress. It's a story of relationships despite one's best efforts to avoid them. 

This book was beautiful, compelling, and full of heart in really unusual ways. I really enjoyed not knowing where we were headed and just giving in to the ride. The whole thing kept me surprised and drawn in. 
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