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The Orphan Master's Son
442 pages, 2012
fiction
1382 booksThe Orphan Master's Son is an epic tale and a spectacular literary discovery that chronicles a young man's trip through the freezing rivers, dark tunnels, and creepy spy rooms of North Korea, the world's most enigmatic government. Pak Jun Do is the troubled son of a missing mother – a singer who was taken to Pyongyang – and a powerful father who oversees Long Tomorrows, an orphan work camp.
The youngster is given his first taste of authority there, choosing which orphans will be fed first and which would be entrusted with physical work. Jun Do, known for his loyalty and acute intuition, comes to the notice of state superiors, advances through the ranks, and embarks on a path from which he will never return.
Jun Do, who considers himself a simple citizen of the greatest nation in the world, becomes a professional kidnapper who must negotiate his Korean superior's shifting laws, random brutality, and perplexing demands to stay alive.
Adam Johnson uses the power of storytelling to bring to life the harsh realities of North Korea. He paints a vivid picture of the country's oppressive regime, showing us the importance of stories in understanding and empathizing with people's experiences.
The Orphan Master's Son showcases the resilience of the human spirit. Despite the harsh conditions and brutal regime, the protagonist, Jun Do, never loses his will to survive and find love. This book will inspire you to appreciate your freedom and never take it for granted.
If you're curious about what life is like in North Korea, this book is a must-read. Johnson's research and storytelling skills bring to life the realities of living under a dictatorship. It's a fascinating, albeit disturbing, look into a world that's often hidden from view.
In The Orphan Master's Son, Johnson explores the theme of identity. Jun Do's journey from an orphan to a state kidnapper and finally a rival to the dictator, shows how our identities can be shaped by our circumstances. It's a thought-provoking look into how we define ourselves.
At its heart, The Orphan Master's Son is a love story. Jun Do's love for Sun Moon drives him to make unimaginable sacrifices. This book will make you reflect on the lengths you would go to for love and the power it has to change our lives.
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Adam Johnson's novel The Orphan Master's Son is a riveting page-turner that veers between beauty and horror, providing a rare glimpse into a closed universe.
David Ignatius - Journalist, NovelistAn exquisitely crafted novel that carries the reader on an adventuresome journey into the depths of totalitarian North Korea and into the most intimate spaces of the human heart.
Michiko Kakutani - Literary CriticThe Orphan Master's Son has an early lead on novel of [the year]
Zadie Smith - Novelist, Essayist