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A review by mal_eficent
The Story of Hong Gildong by
adventurous
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I found this story's place in literature canon (and the introduction/note son translation) to be more interesting than the actual story itself, but that's partly because I don't like Hong Gildong as a character.
His pain over being ostracised from society, and restricted because of his status as a concubine's son, isn't enough to make him an enjoyable protagonist for me. He's all powerful, all knowing, and still boring. The actual plot is fun, camp action, though, and I might hunt down an adaptation to see if I enjoy it more with a different tone.
It's still an interesting and worthwhile read if you're someone who is interested in classics, though!
His pain over being ostracised from society, and restricted because of his status as a concubine's son, isn't enough to make him an enjoyable protagonist for me. He's all powerful, all knowing, and still boring. The actual plot is fun, camp action, though, and I might hunt down an adaptation to see if I enjoy it more with a different tone.
It's still an interesting and worthwhile read if you're someone who is interested in classics, though!