The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson

The Locale: Susan S's

The Orphan Master's Son 

Adam Johnson 

The Book: An epic novel and a thrilling literary discovery, The Orphan Master’s Son follows a young man’s journey through the icy waters, dark tunnels, and eerie spy chambers of the world’s most mysterious dictatorship, North Korea.

Pak Jun Do is the haunted son of a lost mother—a singer “stolen” to 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.

(https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11529868-the-orphan-master-s-son)


Sarah's Summary: We missed you, Yeline and Lori! Susan served up a delicious buffet of Asian fare. With salted caramel cupcakes for dessert. Thank you!

I think for the most part we, as a group, liked that we read The Orphan Master's Son but I don't think we all "loved" it. It is mind boggling that this stuff happens. In real life. It the 21st century. Truly amazing and frightening. Susan found "Inside North Korea" on Netflix,  a National Geographic documentary hosted by Lisa Ling about going into North Korea in 2006. It is startling how truthful the book is. I couldn't stay for the whole program but plan on finishing it tonight.

Two things as follow-up: the author of the book received his PhD (English) from FSU in 2000- so that probably explains why he spoke at FSU's 7 Days of Opening Nights last year.

There was a piece on NPR I heard while driving home- they've been in the news lately regarding their nuclear tests. They talked briefly of their tension with Japan and how several years ago they acknowledged kidnapping Japanese citizens and they actually returned 8 of them to N. Korea. They claim others died and Japan feels they still have scores of Japanese citizens there. ( I tried to find the piece but couldn't locate it on their website) Scary stuff.

We will be meeting on Sunday, May 4th at Brenda's house to discuss "Orphan Train" and we  voted on "The Whip" from Lori's list of strong women protagonists.

I look forward to seeing you all in May!

The Vote: Lori presented...

• The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty  
• The Whip by Karen Kondazian  WINS!!!
• The Aviator’s Wife by Melanie Benjamin

The Whip by Karen Kondazian is the winner.  Lori will need to pick a date for that meeting.  

Up Next:  Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline on May 4th.  

Next to Present: Lori

Then:

• Sarah
• Susan H.
• Diana
• Tassy
• Yeline
• Carmen
• Susan
• Brenda