In the shadowy landscape of North Korea, 'The Orphan Master's Son' follows the harrowing journey of Jun Do, a boy raised in an orphanage, who is thrust into a world of espionage, deception, and survival. As he rises through the ranks of power, he assumes identities and navigates the treacherous waters of a totalitarian regime, all while searching for love and a sense of self. The novel weaves a profound narrative of resilience and resistance against oppressive forces. With each twist, the boundaries between reality and illusion blur, leaving readers questioning the very nature of truth. Will Jun Do's quest for freedom ultimately lead to his downfall, or can he outsmart the system that seeks to control him?
By Adam Johnson
Published: 2012
"In a world where identity is a blade to cut through the dark, we discover that telling the truth may be the most subversive act of all."
The Pulitzer Prize–winning, New York Times bestselling novel of North Korea: an epic journey into the heart of the world’s most mysterious dictatorship. “Imagine Charles Dickens paying a visit to Pyongyang, and you see the canvas on which [Adam] Johnson is painting here.”—The Washington Post Pak Jun Do is the haunted son of a lost mother—a singer “stolen” to Pyongyang—and an influential father who runs a work camp for orphans. Superiors in the North Korean state soon recognize the boy’s loyalty and keen instincts. Considering himself “a humble citizen of the greatest nation in the world,” Jun Do rises in the ranks. He becomes a professional kidnapper who must navigate the shifting rules, arbitrary violence, and baffling demands of his 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 to 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.” Part breathless thriller, part story of innocence lost, part story of romantic love, The Orphan Master’s Son is also a riveting portrait of a world heretofore hidden from view: a North Korea rife with hunger, corruption, and casual cruelty but also camaraderie, stolen moments of beauty, and love. FINALIST FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD • WINNER OF THE DAYTON LITERARY PEACE PRIZE Named ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR by more than a dozen publications, including The Washington Post • Entertainment Weekly • The Wall Street Journal • Los Angeles Times • San Francisco Chronicle Praise for The Orphan Master’s Son “An 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.”—Pulitzer Prize citation “Mr. Johnson has written a daring and remarkable novel, a novel that not only opens a frightening window on the mysterious kingdom of North Korea, but one that also excavates the very meaning of love and sacrifice.”—Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times “Rich with a sense of discovery . . . The Orphan Master’s Son has an early lead on novel of [the year].”—The Daily Beast “This is a novel worth getting excited about.”—The Washington Post “[A] ripping piece of fiction that is also an astute commentary on the nature of freedom, sacrifice, and glory.”—Elle
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“In a world where identity is a blade to cut through the dark, we discover that telling the truth may be the most subversive act of all.”
The Orphan Master's Son
By Adam Johnson
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Adam Johnson is an acclaimed American author known for his profound storytelling and intricate character development. He gained widespread recognition for his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, 'The Orphan Master's Son,' which explores themes of identity and resilience in North Korea. His other notable works include 'Fortune Smiles,' a collection of short stories that reflect on the intersections of technology, morality, and human connection, and 'The Largesse of the Sea Maiden,' which delves into the complexities of human relationships. Johnson's writing is characterized by its lyrical prose, depth of emotion, and thoughtful examination of socio-political issues.
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