The Good Man: A Novel

by Edward Jae-Suk Lee

A soldier's story, one particularly timely amid the news of abuse in Iraq. It is the beautifully and poignantly told story of Gabriel Cuttman, an aging Korean War veteran, a good man who has done bad things and is struggling by a terrible secret.

258 pages, Hardcover

First published October 29, 2004

Reviews

[Gerald Kinro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gabriel Guttman, an aging Korean War veteran returns to his native Montana to come to terms with his past. He remembers Emily Cottage, his love of yore and a Korean woman he brought back to the United States after the war. But he has little memory due to a gunshot wound a few years back. Emily is dead, and he joins the Korean woman at dthe ranch she occupies with her sixteen-year-old daughter, Yahng Yi. Lee introduces the past that Gabriel witnessed—a massacre of innocent Korean civilians by Americans. He also introduces the ties the Korean woman and her daughter have to the owner of the ranch they occupy and his vicious, son.

This is a complex story that deals with the psychological wounds many of our veterans suffer. It is slow-paced, but the description of the outdoor Montana setting,interesting characters and ranch life make it an interesting read. I had to adjust to some of the mechanics the author uses. There are no quotation marks. Instead, quotes are preceded by a dash.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worthy if only because it's set in Wyoming!

[Teresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book reminded me why I prefer children's literature.

This book had a very interesting storyline, but the sex "scenes" were unnecessary and distracting.