The Plotters
by Un-Su Kim
Translated from the Korean
by Sora Kim-Russell
DoubleDay Books
1/29/2019
First published
in Korean
in 2010
Genre: Thriller
304 pages
When I use the adjective quirky to describe a book, more often than not, the book is French. This time, it is Korean. I believe this is only the third book I have read translated from the Korean. The Vegetarian was definitely quirky. The Plotters, a thriller featuring some type of Korean Mafiosi, totally fits the bill.
I was totally hooked from the opening chapter:
Reseng, an experienced assassin, is sent to kill an old man in a secluded area. Through his binoculars, he observes his target. Possibly touched by the beauty and simplicity of the scene, as he watches the old man watering his flowers, and his dog, he feels the time has not come for him to kill. He decides to spend the night on the mountain and kill the old man on the following morning. But something unexpected happens to him during the night.
Something quite hilarious at first. And as the reader, you let yourself lulled by the beautiful prose and the quirky development, until you get actually progressively dragged into black humor, and darker and darker waters.
I really enjoyed how the author managed to trick me and play with my expectations.
The smooth translation certainly did a lot to manage that.
Because little by little, you get to know that Reseng obeys orders from higher up, a group called the Plotters. Who are they exactly? And what are they up to? And when he starts interpreting his orders in his own ways, all hell breaks loose.
Plotters hated it when lowly assassins took it upon themselves to change the plot…
Changing the assigned plot was not just a headache but a potential death sentence.
The book is rich with unforgettable characters, especially:
- Reseng himself, born in unusual circumstances;
- his cantankerous facilitator Old Racoon, whose crime headquarters are set in a mysterious Library (with a cross-eyed female librarian);
- his friend Bear, who runs a pet (officially…) crematorium;
- a strange convenience store clerk and her wheelchair-bound sister;
- and a barber.
- And of course, there are cats!
There are interesting passages on famous books and on what reading can do in your life. Funny, I’m actually reading Don Quixote right now, and realize this sentence can equally apply to both works.
There are also eye-opening scenes on industrial work in South Korea.
The official synopsis says this is set in an alternate Seoul. I don’t know for sure about Seoul, but there are unfortunately organized groups of paid assassins out there, some even official, as featured in Hear Our Defeats, that I reviewed recently. In The Plotters, this is actually a market with a lot of competition.
VERDICT: Both dark and hilarious Korean thriller featuring a unique group of “Mafiosi”. Quirky, irresistible.
HAVE YOU READ THIS BOOK?
What’s your favorite Korean novel/author?
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS IN A COMMENT PLEASE
In full compliance with FTC Guidelines, I received this ebook free of charge from the publisher through Netgalley. I was in no way compensated for this post as a reviewer, and the thoughts are my own.
Words And Peace 
When I use the adjective quirky to describe a book, more often than not, the book is French. This time, it is Korean, that made me laugh, ha ha ha. Interesting title. I’m jotting it down in the books I want to read, with high priority.
LikeLike
wait, why is it funny?
LikeLike
The fact that every time you described something as quirky it was French, but now it was Korean. Lol. I don’t know.
LikeLike
hmm
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am probably wrong, but in my head, something quirky is synonymous of funny, but I am sure I got it wrong and you didn’t mean for it to be funny. I have mishaps with English at times, despite of my 21+ years in the States.
LikeLike
I have mishaps myself, just here since 2001. So you made me check the definition: “characterized by peculiar or unexpected traits”. But this is true that this peculiarity often makes it funny, well not really for French authors, lol!!
LikeLike
Yeah, it’s definitely a wrong association on my part. Your comments made me laugh.
LikeLike
I’m glad, important to laugh. yesterday was Blue Monday. So far here it’s Blue Week!! Send me some Texan sun, please
LikeLike
Hahaha, I am sending it right now.
LikeLike
you must have pushed on the wrong button, we are getting lots of ice instead, (unless you thought “nice weather” but forgot the N, lol, but thanks for the intention anyway, lol
LikeLike
Oh, noooo, lol
LikeLike
I like the sound of this novel. I will add it to my growing TBR list of translated literature. I have not read enough Korean novels to have a favorite author. I did like The Vegetarian and also a book written in English by a Korean: The Martyred by Richard E Kim. (https://keepthewisdom.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-martyred.html)
LikeLike
it is always great to read foreign literature. You should have plenty more titles from me in a few months, for a special event, stay tuned!
Actually, as early as tomorrow, I’ll have another short review about another Korean author!
LikeLike
This book is currently on my list, can’t wait for it’s release!
Lotte | http://www.lottelauv.blogspot.co.uk
LikeLike
Looking forward to seeing what you think. You know there’s a UK Netgalley version, right?
LikeLike
Pingback: 2019 Calendar of Crime Challenge | Words And Peace
Pingback: 2019: January wrap-up | Words And Peace
Pingback: Friday Face Off: An orange cover | Words And Peace