A review by zee_z
Seven Years of Darkness by You-Jeong Jeong

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

 

Book : 7 Years of Darkness, Jeon Yu Jeong, 2020

Date Read : 13-05-24 to 17-05-24

A mass murderer who killed a little girl, his own wife and  the entire village. But is it the truth?

7 Years of Darkness written by Jeon Yu Jeong who also wrote a novel that sold millions of copies, titled The Good Son. It’s a stand-alone book with the same genre, thriller/crime with some psychological elements.

The story revolves the power of the murdered little girl’s father, a dentist and major owner of property around Seryong Lake; his wife who struggles to escape his abuses; and Mr. Ahn’s struggles in facing writer’s block. Also, about Sowon’s father’s alcoholism as his escapism; his mother’s determination to climb out of difficult childhood poverty and of course Sowon whose life changed and will change again. 

It started with the arrest of Sowon’s father which leads to Sowon living with Mr Ahn, his guardian who is also his roommate when Sowon & his family moved to Seryong Village. The event affected his childhood and teenage life. You can't live normally if you're a murderer’s son. However, one day, he receives a manuscript that beams some lights in his darkness that stays in his heart and mind for the past 7 years.

If we read enough, we know that Korean or in general Asian Fiction is totally different from Western Fiction. It emphasises emotions more than plot. This style makes me easily relate with the characters involved, especially the main character. In this book, I get to see different POVs, hence my feelings or emotions change based on them. Even though the story is told in multiple POVs, it flows in a linear timeline which eventually leads to the ending of the story. But, the tones of all characters are the same which make it a bit confusing at times.

Additionally, the author provided detailed information on the main location of the story including how the dam / reservoir works. In fact, the reader is provided with a simple map of the Seryong Village, which is a fictional village, so we can understand and make it easier to imagine the story in our head. 

The lesson learnt, people will act out of the norm if being pushed to the edge for too long and childhood trauma is not something we can take lightly, because it shapes who you will be in the future, especially when it involves physical & mental abuse. Of course, It may give justification to the unlawful act but doesn't mean the act is acceptable. Besides that, communication among partners and family members are also important for a healthy living. If we keep the feelings hidden, it may burst and cause a disaster that we will regret. 

I finished the book in a week, considering all the distractions, it was at an ok pace. I only started to feel bored towards the end, because it lacks the adrenaline or impact. Overall, I liked it but not as much as I liked The Good Son. 

4 Stars.