A review by peach_haze
The Hole by Pyun Hye-young

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Wow. This book was simply brilliant. Pyun was a master at bringing  such a raw and powerful tragedy to life The story was mostly told in a kind of narrative of present and past of-and-by the main character, Oghi. We saw his world through his eyes; the life left behind and he struggles to continue forth. We see his struggles mentally and physically. We see his side of the story, and see the agony his wife was living during their life together. My heart went out to her,
how neglectful Oghi had been of her mental state and how he would put her down, blaming her emotions and lack of career success on being a woman. Pyun had me near tears reading on as I could feel Oghi’s wife giving up on their marriage, and Oghi not thinking to care.
and Oghi as well. Albeit short, The Hole was a fantastic, physiological experience  that I long to read again (once I stop crying) and I regret that I’ll never be able to read this book again for the first time. Phenomenal.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings