The Orphan Master's Son in Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge

Feb 10, 2015 Erin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: book-club, book-riot-read-harder-challenge

This is a book to savor, to take your time with - Johnson's imagination is absolutely amazing and the reader buys every bit of what he says. I was awed by the talent it takes to build a fictional (but infinitely probable) story around a people and a nation we know almost nothing about, but, by its very nature, holds us in thrall..

Pak Jun Do is not an orphan, but lives in an orphanage, and you can guess where orphans fall in North Korea's caste system. He manages a lucky/unlucky break and spends ...more

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Dec 16, 2013 Rosemary rated it liked it

It remains the most depressing book I've ever read -- but in its uniquely disturbing way, it will stay with me for a long time. The questions it raises for me transcend the totalitarian (North Korean) setting: in any culture, where does a person's identity come from? what is real, what is manufactured, what is propaganda, and what is imagined? Johnson is a masterful writer who draws you in through compelling characters. I tried to put this aside many times (did I mention it was depressing?) but ...more

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Oct 01, 2013 Emily Williams rated it it was amazing

This book took me a little bit of time to get into. I enjoyed the beginning but began doubting if it was worth continuing. But wow was it worth it!. I do love a good distopian novel, and this book, set in North Korea offers romance, action and more. Several of the characters have stayed with me, hauntingly, after I finished the book and if I close my eyes I can see Texas, the ocean, the 22nd floor in Pyongang and the darkness. A powerful read worthy of its praises!

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Dec 30, 2013 Rossie rated it it was amazing

Loved this book. I listened to it as an audio book, which worked really well for this story. The protagonist is only a child for the first chapter or so, which surprised me (probably because of the title). Truly fascinating look inside North Korea and awesome story. I kept telling my man the latest updates from this story.

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