brettcarl 's review for:

The Plotters by Un-su Kim

1.0

medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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To echo other reviews here, the novel's biggest problem is its lack of clarity. Exactly, what the actual plot of this story is and exactly what it means and why is a mystery. Nothing makes much sense throughout the novel and the constant illogical, bizarre and ridiculous elements that arise plague every aspect of the story. Furthermore, with a poorly-written protagonist, underdeveloped world-building, indecipherable themes, and prose which quite literally reads as if it was lost in translation, The Plotters by Un-su Kim is a major disappointment. Yet, the most damning criticism of this novel cannot be attributed to its author, rather that dishonour goes to the critics and their respective publications who damned, ridiculed and exposed themselves with their ludicrous praise of the novel as many clearly either didn't understand what they read or purposely distorted the plot, tone and themes of the novel in their reviews! Case in point, this book isn't "Tarantino-like" @ Sunday Times, it isn't a "raucous extravaganza" @ New York Times, neither is it "a gloriously dreamlike alternative Korea" @ Guardian, nor is it "a first-rate thriller" @ Le monde! An indictment of contemporary critics if there ever was one!