Take a photo of a barcode or cover
nicolet2018 's review for:
Seven Years of Darkness
by You-Jeong Jeong
I saw this displayed in the library and thought the cover looked good. I have read a few asian Thrillers previously and this one seemed interesting. The problem with translated books is that the writing often sounds awkward and odd. The writing style of the original author is at the mercy of the translator.
This story starts off well with young Choi Sowon being brought into the police station because his father is accused of murdering a young girl Seryong, pushing his wife into the river and opening the dam killing a few others. He spends his time then constantly on the move with his guardian of sorts, Mr Ahn or Sunghwan. Every time he tries to settle down, someone makes it known that he is that murderer's son and he moves. But then he gets a chance to find out what really happened that night through Mr Ahn's writing of the lead up to that night. Apparently Mr Anh writes his recollections from a third person view.
Then the pov switches to other characters related to the incident such as conservatory owner and the boss of the security team. The names blended together for me and I was not sure who was who. I was pretty sure that Seryong's father killed her given that he is physically abusive to both his daughter and wife. Sounds like he is crazy and very sadistic: but no he didn't kill Seryong.
I found that this novel was depressing and slow. But as the author's note says, it highlights the darkness in people and the good in them too. Sungwan was a father and guardian to Sowon for a long time. There is the old detective who never got over the case and was ready to help when needed. Whilst his real father Hyongsu made a mistake and Yongje was sick in the head. The aspect of diving was interesting too. Sowon seems older than he really is and quite steady.
The overall pov was confusing because there is the present day scenes and then the story scene that Sowon reads. I would recommend these if you like slow, broody thrillers.
This story starts off well with young Choi Sowon being brought into the police station because his father is accused of murdering a young girl Seryong, pushing his wife into the river and opening the dam killing a few others. He spends his time then constantly on the move with his guardian of sorts, Mr Ahn or Sunghwan. Every time he tries to settle down, someone makes it known that he is that murderer's son and he moves. But then he gets a chance to find out what really happened that night through Mr Ahn's writing of the lead up to that night. Apparently Mr Anh writes his recollections from a third person view.
Then the pov switches to other characters related to the incident such as conservatory owner and the boss of the security team. The names blended together for me and I was not sure who was who. I was pretty sure that Seryong's father killed her given that he is physically abusive to both his daughter and wife. Sounds like he is crazy and very sadistic:
Spoiler
he buried kittens alive because they destroyed his wooden city, he beats his wife and daughter naked so the marks will not be apparent.I found that this novel was depressing and slow. But as the author's note says, it highlights the darkness in people and the good in them too. Sungwan was a father and guardian to Sowon for a long time. There is the old detective who never got over the case and was ready to help when needed. Whilst his real father Hyongsu made a mistake and Yongje was sick in the head. The aspect of diving was interesting too. Sowon seems older than he really is and quite steady.
The overall pov was confusing because there is the present day scenes and then the story scene that Sowon reads. I would recommend these if you like slow, broody thrillers.