Orpokodin poika (2012)

Lidt tung i starten, men når først den får kløerne i, slipper den ikke. Stærkt plot og gode karakterer. Et fremragende og aldeles skræmmende indblik i Nordkorea. ( )

A story set in North Korea, where it is not the person that matters but the story that he is given by Kim Jong Il. Pak Jun Do, the Orphan Master’s Son, becomes a tunnel soldier, kidnapper for Kim Jong Il, and spy aboard a fishing vessel, before taking over someone else’s story and becoming a rival to the dear leader himself. The contrast between the loudspeaker announcements and the story as experienced by the characters brings the paradox of North Korea to life in an interesting way. While It took a little while for the story to find its direction, I was engrossed in Jun Do’s story by the end. ( )

This is a dark look at life in North Korea and is written in an unusual style. I'm glad I read it, but it is not an easy book to read especially the second part. It definitely keeps your interest. ( )

A Remarkable Masterpiece
Likability: ★★★★★
Depth: ★★★★★

At first, I thought, "North Korea. That sounds like a fun read." I was wrong. This book takes you on a wild ride of fortune, hope, determination, and force of will that will delight you.

On a literary note, I'm usually a sucker for small bits of emotional description or prose that bring to life a story. Adam Johnson does not give these away so easily. But builds them page after page in a way that brings meaning and insight.

You should read this book for a glimpse of North Korea. For insight into the human soul, and to enjoy the work of a master storyteller. 15 seems about the right age.

Note: I don't give 5 stars easily. For me, a 5-star novel needs to not let go of you after the last page is turned. ( )

The Orphan Master's Son Pulitzer prized winner was published in 2012 novel by an American author that is set in North Korea and deals with themes of propaganda, identity, and state power. The novel was awarded the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. The protagonist is Jun Do's who was raised in a state orphanage and his service to the state, including as a kidnapper of Japanese citizens, signal operator stationed on a fishing boat. Due to a 'heroic act' he displayed on the boat, he becomes part of a diplomatic delegation and travels over to America. However, as the trip to America was an unsuccessful mission, Jun Do and his team are sent to a prison mine upon returning to North Korea. There really is a lot of various stories within the story. We have the story of the American rower and we have Sun Moon, a North Korean actress. There are three narrators in the book: a third-person account; the propaganda version of Commander Ga and Sun Moon's story, which is projected across the country by loudspeakers; and a first-person account by an interrogator seeking to write a Biography of Commander Ga. I enjoyed reading this story though enjoy might not be the right word. There are moments of humor but there is also dark episodes of torture. I think the book was deserving of the Pulitzer Prize. ( )