The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson

Publisher: Random House Audio

Publish Date: January 10, 2012

Format: Audio

Discs: 15

ISBN: 978 0307939708

Pak Jun Do is the haunted son of a lost mother – a singer “Stolen” tp Pyongyang – and an influential father who runs Long Tomorrows. A work camp for orphans.  There the boy is given his first taste of power, picking which orphans eat first and which will be lent out for manual labor.  Recognized for his loyalty and keen instincts, Jun Do comes to the attention of superiors in the state, rises in the ranks, and starts on a road from which there will be no return.

Considering himself “a humble citizen of the greatest nation in the world,” Jun do becomes a professional kidnapper who must navigate the shifting rules, arbitrary violence, and baffling demands of his Korean overlords in order to stay alive.  Driven to the absolute limit of what any human being could endure, he boldly takes on the treacherous role of rival Kim Jong Il in an attempt to save the woman he loves, Sun Moon, a legendary actress “so pure, she didn't know what starving people looked like.”

My Thoughts

"In North Korea you are not born, you are made."  If I took anything away from this novel it would be this quote and that's about it.  I did not find this an enjoyable book, mostly because half the time I had no idea what was going on.  Maybe had I read the book instead of listening to it I would have grasped more, but I have no desire to actually read it, I don't want to waste anymore time than I already have.  I found it very confusing, somewhat like reading a puzzle and there was no line between what was fantasy and what was real.  There are 3 narrators.  The first you hear is the radio announcer who spews nonsense to the citizens and then the other 2 narrators are actually the same person - just one in the past and one in the present.  I listened to this on audio and it eventually just became background noise while I was driving.

I did find learning about North Korea fascinating - and it gave you a glimpse into how this devastating country really is and will also say that it is well written that is rich in symbolism.  North Koreans truly believe it is the greatest nation in the world. 

My Rating: ««

But it Now!

The reviews made here are my personal opinion. I’m not being paid to review any of these books. I am by no means a professional book reviewer or editor.  I do this for the love of books.