This Pulitzer Prize-winner is equal parts literary adventure, dystopian satire, and a darkly comic peek behind North Korea’s iron curtain. Adam Johnson pulls off a near-miracle, blending harrowing realism with a quirky, surprising humanity. There’s espionage, love, survival - and a wild journey through one of the world’s least-understood countries. If you love thought-provoking literary fiction, are fascinated by political regimes, or crave a deep dive into identity and storytelling, this is a must-read. Book clubs and fans of books like ‘1984’ or ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ will have plenty to chew on.

Who May Not Like This Book:

If you’re looking for an uplifting or breezy read, steer clear. Some readers found the structure confusing and the shifts in perspective jarring. The narrative can be brutal, with unflinching depictions of torture, despair, and the apparatus of totalitarian control - so it’s not for the faint-hearted. Others questioned whether the portrayal of North Korea was fact or Westernized fiction, and the plot occasionally drifts into the surreal or implausible. The novel’s dense, layered storytelling can also feel like work rather than escape.

Bleak, brilliant, and unforgettable - The Orphan Master’s Son is a literary punch to the gut that explores survival, identity, and truth in an unreal-real world. Highly recommended if you’re up for the challenge.

About:

The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson is a gripping novel set in North Korea, portraying the desperate lives of its inhabitants through the eyes of the protagonist, Jun Do. The book weaves a heartbreaking story based on extensive research, showcasing the brutality and surrealism of life in the country. Johnson's writing style expertly delves into the complexities of North Korean society, blending elements of dystopia, love, hope, and individual struggle.

Characters:

The characters are vividly portrayed, each representing different facets of life in North Korea, with Pak Jun Do being a central figure whose identity transforms throughout the narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The prose blends dark humor with raw emotion, creating a mix of styles that enhance the reader's engagement while portraying the absurdity of life in North Korea.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot unfolds through the experiences of Pak Jun Do, navigating through North Korea's oppressive regime, tackling issues of identity and personal truth amidst state control.

Setting:

The setting is an integral part of the story, vividly depicting the complexities of life in North Korea under a dictatorial regime, creating a surreal and oppressive atmosphere.

Pacing:

The pacing fluctuates, with a slower buildup in the first part leading to a quicker, more intense second half, though the shifts in narrative may disrupt reader flow.

JUN DO’S mother was a singer. That was all Jun Do’s father, the Orphan Master, would say about her. The Orphan Master kept a photograph of a woman in his small room at Long Tomorrows. She was quite lo...

Notes:

The Orphan Master's Son is set in North Korea during the reign of Kim Jong Il.

The protagonist, Pak Jun Do, is raised in an orphanage, initially not regarded as an orphan due to his father's position.

The novel depicts the life of a North Korean citizen through surreal and harrowing experiences.

Jun Do is forced into roles such as a tunnel soldier, kidnapper, and radio operator.

The story incorporates themes of identity, propaganda, and the human spirit under oppressive regimes.

The narrative structure shifts, featuring multiple perspectives: from Jun Do, the interrogator, and government propaganda broadcasts.

The novel highlights the absurdities of the North Korean regime while maintaining an emotional core through Jun Do's journey.

Johnson conducted extensive research, including talking with defectors and even visiting North Korea, to craft this fictional account.

The book is both a poignant love story and a critique of totalitarianism, exploring what it means to retain humanity in dire circumstances.

The Orphan Master's Son won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2013, garnering acclaim for its unique perspective on a secretive nation.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include depictions of torture, imprisonment, human rights abuses, starvation, and violence which may be distressing for some readers.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance present in the story, primarily illustrated through the protagonist's relationship with Sun Moon, which becomes a central focus.

From The Publisher:

- WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR FICTION

- NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

- NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST

- 'You know you are in the hands of someone who can tell a story. Fantastic' ZADIE SMITH

The award-winning and New York Times bestselling novel: a dark and witty story of the rise of a young orphan in the surreal and tyrannical regime of North Korea .

Young Pak Jun Do is convinced he is special. He knows he must be the unique son of the master of the orphanage, and definitely not some kid dumped by his parents. Surely it was obvious from the way his father singled him out for regular beating?

He finds his calling when he is picked as a spy and kidnapper for his nation, the glorious Democratic Republic of North Korea.

He knows he must find his true love, Sun Moon, the greatest opera star who ever lived, before it's too late.

He knows he's not like the other prisoners in the camp.

He's going to get out soon.

Isn't he?

This hilarious, dark literary epic of a young boy's rise in North Korea from orphan to high-ranking officer won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and was shortlisted for the National Book Award.

Adam Johnson is working on a new work of fiction.

'An addictive novel of daring ingenuity' DAVID MITCHELL

'Excavates the very meaning of life' NEW YORK TIMES

Ratings (11)

Incredible (4)
Loved It (6)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (27):

Read It (11)
Want To Read (14)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (1)

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About the Author:

ADAM JOHNSON won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2013 for his second novel, the New York Times bestseller The Orphan Master's Son ('Excavates the very meaning of life' New York Times). His short story 'Nirvana' won the prestigious Sunday Times/EFG Short Story Award. He is the author of acclaimed story collections, Fortune Smiles and Emporium and the novel Parasites Like Us. He teaches creative writing at Stanford University and lives with his family in San Francisco.

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The Orphan Master's Son

Adam Johnson

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