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A review by julinino19
The Hole by Pyun Hye-young
4.0
Not sure how this was marketed, but I would categorize it as psychological horror. It truly disturbed me, but in a very different way than any "horror" novel ever has.
THE PLOT
After a terrible car accident that killed his wife, Oghi is suffering through the aftermath, one in which his body is in complete shambles. He barely survived the crash, and the only family he has left is his mother-in-law, whom takes it upon herself to take care of Oghi in his grueling recovery process. Oghi cannot do anything for himself—he is at the mercy of everyone around him. This helplessness starts to suffocate him, especially when his mother-in-law begins to behave rather strangely. There is no way out of his disabled state. Oghi feels trapped, as if he were in a deep, dark hole. Much like the hole that his mother-in-law is digging in his yard...
WHY I LIKED IT
The translation is fantastic—the grittiness was perfectly delivered.
The narrative was a chasm, one in which I felt I was being dragged into, deeper and deeper until it was no longer easy to breathe.
This book certainly delivered the uneasiness I was expecting, as well as a complex cast of characters. We see the world through Oghi's eyes, and he is very blunt in pointing out everyone else's flaws, including his own. Even after discovering his wrongdoings, I couldn't help but fear for Oghi. I felt trapped alongside of him. His situation—being bedridden in a body no longer under his control—triggered my fear of incompetence. To be completely exposed and vulnerable with no escape, unable to fight back...it was bone-chilling to read from that perspective.
Apart from successfully instilling fear and discomfort, I also appreciated the more subtle themes sprinkled throughout. I think this book would be a fun one to dissect for a book club or something like that.
I don't really have any specific cons to mention.
I think this delivered on what it promised, so I wasn't disappointed in any way. Am I completely obsessed with it and find it utterly flawless? No, hence why it's not a 5 star read for me.
THE PLOT
After a terrible car accident that killed his wife, Oghi is suffering through the aftermath, one in which his body is in complete shambles. He barely survived the crash, and the only family he has left is his mother-in-law, whom takes it upon herself to take care of Oghi in his grueling recovery process. Oghi cannot do anything for himself—he is at the mercy of everyone around him. This helplessness starts to suffocate him, especially when his mother-in-law begins to behave rather strangely. There is no way out of his disabled state. Oghi feels trapped, as if he were in a deep, dark hole. Much like the hole that his mother-in-law is digging in his yard...
WHY I LIKED IT
The translation is fantastic—the grittiness was perfectly delivered.
The narrative was a chasm, one in which I felt I was being dragged into, deeper and deeper until it was no longer easy to breathe.
This book certainly delivered the uneasiness I was expecting, as well as a complex cast of characters. We see the world through Oghi's eyes, and he is very blunt in pointing out everyone else's flaws, including his own. Even after discovering his wrongdoings, I couldn't help but fear for Oghi. I felt trapped alongside of him. His situation—being bedridden in a body no longer under his control—triggered my fear of incompetence. To be completely exposed and vulnerable with no escape, unable to fight back...it was bone-chilling to read from that perspective.
Apart from successfully instilling fear and discomfort, I also appreciated the more subtle themes sprinkled throughout. I think this book would be a fun one to dissect for a book club or something like that.
I don't really have any specific cons to mention.
I think this delivered on what it promised, so I wasn't disappointed in any way. Am I completely obsessed with it and find it utterly flawless? No, hence why it's not a 5 star read for me.