Questions About The Incendiaries

by R.O. Kwon (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (6)

Is this book based on real events or it’s just pure soeculation about popular theme of North Corea?

R.O. Kwon Hello, and thank you for the question! I have distant family members I’ve never met who live—or lived—in North Korea. For years, I kept reading nonfic…moreHello, and thank you for the question! I have distant family members I’ve never met who live—or lived—in North Korea. For years, I kept reading nonfiction accounts of North Korea to try to fill that longing, that gap in knowledge. But so little information makes it out of a country with such closed borders. Eventually, slowly (I worked on the book for ten years), I found that my novel's cult leader started taking on a North Korean past. I realized that, with my writing, I wanted to spend time, imaginatively, in that place of unknowing.(less)

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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Jessica I think he's waiting for Phoebe. His obsession with her, and his theory that she's still alive, shows how stuck his life is. I couldn't stand Will, th…moreI think he's waiting for Phoebe. His obsession with her, and his theory that she's still alive, shows how stuck his life is. I couldn't stand Will, though. Felt some sympathy for Phoebe but wasn't really a fan of her either. And John Leal felt like a ludicrous afterthought as far as his chapters were concerned. (less)

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So, just to make abso sure: Will Kendall is white?

M D Will never says what his race is, but that from things he says, it seems pretty clear he's not Korean or Asian American generally.…moreWill never says what his race is, but that from things he says, it seems pretty clear he's not Korean or Asian American generally.(less)

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Is Phoebe also named Haejin?

Mark Cofta Yes. Her mother uses her Korean name, "Haejin," and Will uses her English name, "Phoebe."…moreYes. Her mother uses her Korean name, "Haejin," and Will uses her English name, "Phoebe."(less)

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who else struggled/is struggling with not only the timeline but also the pronouns that are all over the place?

Mark Cofta Not me. Take your time.

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