The bestselling Korean thriller of the year!
YOU WAKE UP COVERED IN BLOOD
THERE’S A BODY DOWNSTAIRS
YOUR MOTHER’S BODY
YOU DIDN’T DO IT. DID YOU?
HOW COULD YOU, YOU’VE ALWAYS BEEN THE GOOD SON
THE INTERNATIONAL SENSATION FROM KOREA’S MILLION-COPY BESTSELLING AUTHOR YOU-JEONG JEONG.
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.
The Good Son is inspired by a true story.
This slow-burning novel has the most intriguing opening, and what follows is a compelling tale of self-exploration. Through the situation Yu-jin finds himself in, he takes the reader on a journey as he tries to piece together the events in his life that led to this moment, the moment he wakes covered in blood, and equally important, how to survive this moment. The Good Son is dubbed as a thriller, but the thrills aren’t found in the pacing, as this one is of a slower pace, the thrills come in the sinister revelations.
The tension in this novel is created through Yu-jin’s faulty memory, it created a heightened anxiety around our main protagonist because you’re unsure whether you can trust him – how much of what he says is truth and how much is lies – we know Yu-Jin experiences a manic state, brought on by not taking his medication, what we don’t know is how much he pushes the boundaries on reality during his memory recall.
As the plot thickens, you’re constantly wondering how Yu-jin is going to survive this. What’s quite incredible about this book is how much of the time it’s just you and Yu-jin, with very limited characters, you really get to know Yu-jin, and be prepared because he’s walking a dark path. Not only is this book limited in characters, it’s also limited in location, with much of the story taking place inside Yu-Jin’s apartment, which he shares with his brother and mother. This creates an intense setting for this drama to play out, there is no reprieve from the tormented mind of Yu-Jin.
As the narration switches between the past and the present, The Good Son provides an in-depth character study of Yu-jin, exploring his own psyche and his complex family relations. It’s cleverly told, sharp [and bloody] in descriptive detail, made all the more chilling as it’s inspired by a true story.
This book is available to buy from: Amazon UK / Book Depository
Ooh this sounds fascinating! Great review! And inspired by true story? I’m so curious about that!
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I’ve googled like crazy trying to find the true event that inspired it but no luck, and as I read an arc, there’s no authors note that could possibly hint at it. So frustrating lol
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Oh man!! Maybe since it’s new more info will trickle out eventually, I would love to know!
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Fab review!
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Thank you!
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Awesome review ❤
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Thanks 🙂
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great review!
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Thank you!
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This does sound intriguing! Wonderful review! I’ve been fascinated by Korea lately. Star of the North is another fascinating thriller based in North and South Korea, but written by a Welsh author.
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Thank you! I have a copy of Star of the North, I hope to read it soon 😊
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Yay, I’m super excited to read your thoughts on it, especially after reading The Good Son!
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You review made me want to read it!
Good read!
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Thank you 🙂
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Great review! I definitely want to read this, I really like dark, psychological stories.
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Thank you! I hope you enjoy this one when you get to read it 😊
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Fab review! I really want to read this one, it keeps popping up everywhere and sounds amazing!
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Thanks! I think you’ll like this one 🤞🏾
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Reading now. Scrolled through your review. I’ll read it when I’m done!
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Enjoy!
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Fantastic review my friend! I was meant to review this yesterday as well but I was so shattered I couldn’t do it. It will have to wait until next week. You’ve summed it up beautifully, hope I can do the same. So worried about spoilers though! 🤔
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Thanks Beth! I’m sure your review will be fab, my general rule is, be as vague as possible, let everything be a surprise 🙂
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I’m sad we aren’t reading it for the book club…but I’m definitely going to pick it up on my own!!
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I hope you enjoy it!
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Great review.
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Thank you 🙂
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You’re welcome 🙂
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I am just now seeing this title pop up and have been intrigued. Your review is stunning and compelling! I need to look into this more.
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Thank you, I’m so glad you liked my review. Also my first book by a South-Korean author which is pretty cool!
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Definitely very cool! I love expanding and exploring through books 💗
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