The orphan masters son by Adam Johnson

"The orphan masters son" by Adam Johnson. This book won 2013 Pulitzer prize for fiction.

This is the story of Jun Do, a North Korean youth. (I think the name is inspired by John Doe, a name used for a person whose real name is not known, in America) His father is an orphan master (in charge of orphanage). Hence the book title.

This book is made up of two parts. First part is the story of Jun Doe. How he is raised in an orphanage although he is not an orphan. How he becomes a tunnel rat by profession aquiring ability to move in dark. How he becomes a state kidnapper and then radio operator. Then his visit to America as part of delegation that is termed as unsuccessful by North Korean leadership. This visit is the zenith of his life immediately followed by nadir of prison camp.

In second part,  an imposter of commander Ga (Ga is the husband of national actress Sun Moon and is also minister of prison mines) is arrested on charges of killing his wife. He is interrogated as commander Ga. Readers  must have gussed that the imposter is Jun Do. It shows what one can do for his true love. It also shows how state propaganda machinery gives the spin to to the fact and make fiction out of it. This part of book  oscillates between past and present, reality and illusion, truth and deception, fact and fiction.

The book shows how the state controls lives of its citizens. All beautiful girls are taken to Pyongyang as hostesses. If a man dies, his widow is given a replacement husband by state. The citizens who have done acts of bravery are accorded status of hero and get privileges like a motorcycle, wife of choice, shoes etc. Here the story is more important than the person. The person may be lying, it's acceptable if his story checks out. When a patient is very sick, his blood is taken away for others and thus he dies for the state. How the dear leader and great leader always watch them and define their lives. How the loudspeakers installed in every house and all public places give selected news and spread propaganda for state. The picture is horrible. Everyone is out to save their skin and survive. No one can challenge the system.

The author has created a masterpiece of black satire. The book does not make you sit on the edge of your chair, in fact some times you even get bored, but it intrigues you. It's a very dark tale and leaves a pit in your stomach. This book is not for the light hearted.

Read if you are not deterred by eerie novels.