I wanted to really love this book, but I struggled with what amounted to a singular aspect of the story: Shin's decision to make this novel universal. For most of this book, I thought I was confused and not understanding the political situation because this is a South Korean book written for a South Korean audience. When you write a book about the Great Depression for an American audience, you don't have to explain what it was or why it happened. Your audience already has the context. I thought it was similar in this book, that she didn't need to discuss in specifics what was happening in South Korea in the 80s because her audience would be well aware. I was prepared not to review it as a result.

However, then I got to the author's note in which she explained that avoiding details was an intentional choice because living in a dictatorship, violence against protesters, the political upheaval occurring during this book, wasn't just limited to South Korea. It's an international problem. Which I agree with, but I don't think the solution was to avoid any and all specific details about the political situation during this book. It left me feeling lost and confused.

This is a book that is very much informed by its setting. The characters are college students who protest, they're in the military, they know people who have gone missing, who have died, who have committed suicide. The book is about their lives as a result of the political situation, so not knowing anything about the political situation made it feel like there were large pieces missing. Necessary pieces. It's hard to connect with protesters when you don't have any idea what they're protesting. I didn't understand why people were going missing. I had no idea what the government was. The lack of information completely ruined my ability to enjoy the book.

As a result, the whole book felt lacking to me. The characters didn't seem whole, the setting was very specific to South Korea in the 80s, yet simultaneously vague, the motivations made no sense. I could try to review other aspects of the book, but I don't see much point because my entire experience hinged on this one point.

I understand her purpose in that decision, but in making this a universal story, she wrote a book no one could relate to. It got infinitely more interesting after the author's note where she gave an explanation of what SK in the 80s was like. I think if you have any prior knowledge of the setting, it's probably worth a read because you can fill in all the blanks yourself and appreciate the book. But if you're like me, I can't see it being very worthwhile.

I'm still planning to read more from Shin because there were points in the book where I really did care, points where I felt emotional. It just felt like there was a wall I couldn't get around, and I hope in another book that wouldn't be a problem.