The Orphan Master's Son: A Novel
The Pulitzer Prize–winning novel of North Korea tells the story of Pak Jun Do, a young man who moves up in Kim Jong-il's power structure and then becomes a rival of the dictator. A riveting portrait of a world heretofore hidden from view: a North Korea rife with hunger, corruption, and casual cruelty but also camaraderie, stolen moments of beauty, and love.
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Community Reviews
A book about North Korea? Written by some guy named Adam Johnson? Uh, no thanks. I did not want to read this book at all, but I'm so glad my book club forced me into it! What an amazing story.
Pak Jun Do, the novel's protagonist, is conscripted into service for the North Korean government, first as a kidnapper of Japanese citizens, then as a signal operator on a fishing boat. He always does what he is told and wouldn't dream of defying anyone.
After some unforeseen circumstances on the fishing boat, Jun Do is declared a hero, and soon after is included in a delegation of North Koreans sent to America (Texas, of all places) on a diplomatic visit. There are some hilarious scenes that unfold on this trip. The trip, however, is ultimately unsuccessful in North Korea's eyes, and Jun Do is sent to Prison Camp 33. Here we get a glimpse into life in one of these North Korean prison camps and the unspeakable horrors that innocent people are subjected to.
Fast forward again: Jun Do has brazenly taken on the identity of Commander Ga, a national hero, and walks out of prison and into the Commander's home, whose wife, beloved actress Sun Moon, and children are waiting for him.
Every page is filled with a new horror, and I was always waiting for the other shoe to drop. You knew it was going to - it was just a matter of when...
Johnson brings us into the dark, sad, frightening life of a North Korean under the dictatorial rule of Kim Jong Il ("Dear Leader") but also shines a not-so-favorable light on American society.
Pak Jun Do, the novel's protagonist, is conscripted into service for the North Korean government, first as a kidnapper of Japanese citizens, then as a signal operator on a fishing boat. He always does what he is told and wouldn't dream of defying anyone.
After some unforeseen circumstances on the fishing boat, Jun Do is declared a hero, and soon after is included in a delegation of North Koreans sent to America (Texas, of all places) on a diplomatic visit. There are some hilarious scenes that unfold on this trip. The trip, however, is ultimately unsuccessful in North Korea's eyes, and Jun Do is sent to Prison Camp 33. Here we get a glimpse into life in one of these North Korean prison camps and the unspeakable horrors that innocent people are subjected to.
Fast forward again: Jun Do has brazenly taken on the identity of Commander Ga, a national hero, and walks out of prison and into the Commander's home, whose wife, beloved actress Sun Moon, and children are waiting for him.
Every page is filled with a new horror, and I was always waiting for the other shoe to drop. You knew it was going to - it was just a matter of when...
Johnson brings us into the dark, sad, frightening life of a North Korean under the dictatorial rule of Kim Jong Il ("Dear Leader") but also shines a not-so-favorable light on American society.
For me this book had wonderful themes but they cluttered and confused the story. I was looking for a story.
It's hard to try to separate the reality from the imaginary in this book about the mysterious country of North Korea. This is a complex and fantastic look into a strange and scary world. It's comic, frightening, romantic and fantasy all rolled up into one very good book! I'd be interested to know what someone who has actually traveled into N.Korea would think about it.
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