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mwf1234's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
clone's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Murder
cherrie_bluhd's review against another edition
5.0
I think there are a lot of things (naturally, because I’m not Korean or Korean American) that I missed in reading this. I thought that wouldn’t bother me as much as it does now that I’ve finished it, but now it feels naive to not have done at least some research. Still, I think the book is meant to be confusing, unsettled, and unsatisfying in how it sees both the North and the South. Or at least I assume. There were some moments when I really loved the book, and some when I really didn’t, but I always wanted to keep reading. Maybe a good ending is all I need to give a good review, but I loved this book even if I feel simultaneously a million other emotions about it too. Still figuring out a process to approach literature in translation, but it was, of course, a real pleasure to read anyways.
theseventhl's review against another edition
4.0
Another brilliant, powerful novel by Young-ha Kim. A mix of political thriller and personal drama that just wins on all fronts. Some of Ma-ri's scenes had me wincing from the bluntness of them (and her final confrontation with Ki-Yong still has me reeling a bit) but overall it's a stellar volume. Hopefully, Kim's novel will succeed enough to prove that his other works should also be translated into English.
lsparrow's review against another edition
3.0
I am not usually into spy novels. Perhaps it was this look into life in Korea that had me the most hooked into this book.
shmeeves's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
mariemarya's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Sexual content
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Vomit and Torture
nerissassippi's review against another edition
4.0
The entire book takes place over 24 hours when a North Korean spy has to decide whether or not to give up his peaceful life in Seoul and return north. It was a page-turning look into how little we know about the people closest to us and how difficult it is to decide what we value most.
patti_pinguin's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.5