Why a Booktrail?
2000s: Sometimes the relationship between mother and son is not what you think
The Good Son
What you need to know before your trail
When Yu-jin wakes up covered in blood, and finds the body of his mother downstairs, he decides to hide the evidence and pursue the killer himself.
Then young women start disappearing in his South Korean town. Who is he hunting? And why does the answer take him back to his brother and father who lost their lives many years ago.
Locations
ResetTravel Guide
Seoul Korea
The city is in the background in this book but the real setting is the dysfunctional family relationships and friendships in this novel. The cultural differences of guilt and shame, responsibility and justice.
A few places of note in the book:
Incheon
This is a transportation hub. an city just outside of Seoul. There are plenty railway connections to Seoul as well as a major airport. Yeonan Pier is a popular spot close to the famous Incheon Fish Market. You can take a boat tour from here along beach-lined islands, including Yeongjong and Muui-dong
Daehangno
This is an area popular for its hip student bars and cafes. A popular hang out for artists is Marronnier Park, and there’s many outdoor musical and theater performances. The local Arko Art Center is another draw. In the novel he goes here with his mum and later eats at a trendy Italian restaurant.
Yonghyeon-dong
The area where he used to live before moving closer to the city. This is where a tragedy in his life takes place which he never gets over.
Booktrailer Review
Susan: @thebooktrailer
Despite this being hailed as a thriller, I found this very very slow. It burns like one of the never ending candles but suddenly there’s a spark and light is shone on all what you’ve just read. The journey there however will be difficult for some as it’s one internal monologue after another as a man wakes up from a heavy night (yawn) to find himself covered in blood and his mother lying at the bottom of the stairs and he starts to examine what happened and if he did it.
What is good about this novel however is that because it’s set in Korea, there’s an added element of shame, family relationships and the wonder of where this will all lead in the justice system. The city of Seoul remains in the background for this is a character study above all else and it gets darker the more you read.
The writing is sparse and jolts you in and out of its prose but if you stick with this. there’s a twist that, well, I didn’t see coming. This is a unique read, a chilling read being in the head of someone on so many meds and having to work out if he’s killed his mother. Disturbing. Not your usual kind of thriller that’s for sure!
Booktrail Boarding Pass: The Good Son
Destination : Seoul, Korea Author/Guide: You-jeong Jeong Departure Time: 2000s
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