“[A] powerhouse of a novel….It reads as if Haruki Murakami rewrote The Day of the Jackal.” – Locus Magazine “Editor’s Choice” New York Times Book Review “The Most Anticipated Crime Books of 2019” CrimeReads “Most Anticipated Books of 2019” Lit Hub “This Winter’s Best Thrillers” Chicago Review of Books“Best Books of the Year” Apple A fantastical crime novel set in an alternate Seoul where … the Year” Apple
A fantastical crime novel set in an alternate Seoul where assassination guilds compete for market dominance.
Behind every assassination, there is an anonymous mastermind–a plotter–working in the shadows. Plotters quietly dictate the moves of the city’s most dangerous criminals, but their existence is little more than legend. Just who are the plotters? And more important, what do they want?
Reseng is an assassin. Raised by a cantankerous killer named Old Raccoon in the crime headquarters “The Library,” Reseng never questioned anything: where to go, who to kill, or why his home was filled with books that no one ever read. But one day, Reseng steps out of line on a job, toppling a set of carefully calibrated plans. And when he uncovers an extraordinary scheme set into motion by an eccentric trio of young women–a convenience store clerk, her wheelchair-bound sister, and a cross-eyed librarian–Reseng will have to decide if he will remain a pawn or finally take control of the plot.
Crackling with action and filled with unforgettable characters, The Plotters is a deeply entertaining thriller that soars with the soul, wit, and lyricism of real literary craft.
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THE PLOTTERS is a work of literary genius; a quirky, compelling, intelligent, darkly funny, highly original and thought-provoking thriller like nothing I’ve read. Gorgeous prose elevates the basest of characters and answers the question: How can ours be a life well-lived if we only do as we’re told? I loved this book!
The Plotters by Un-su Kim (trans. from Korean by Sura Kim-Russell) is surprisingly lyrical and philosophical for a book about a group of assassins. With references to Roman and Greek mythology, Homer and the Bible, the book invites deeper reflection than most would expect from a modern thriller. From the age of four, Reseng has been surrounded by an underground group of assassins and hired guns and now is one of the best in the profession. He was adopted by a man he calls Old Raccoon, a librarian who also happens to coordinate the cabal out of his virtually abandoned library. Old Raccoon does not encourage Reseng’s love of reading, however and warns that it will “doom you to a life of fear and shame.” Regardless, Reseng devotes his childhood to teaching himself how to read and vicariously learns many life lessons in this way. The book opens with an assignment that demonstrates Reseng’s ethical code and respect for others combined with a resigned ruthlessness that allows him to complete his mission. The reader gains a greater understanding of Reseng as he recalls one time when he had a chance to adopt a normal life. He describes how his loyalty has been repeatedly tested in a world where trust is treacherous, and competition is a game of extreme elimination. When he himself becomes a target, Reseng needs to discover who has put him on the kill list and must use his connections to uncover the motives of those who plot against him. The Plotters is a rewarding book, fascinating for its glimpse into a political system that is mysterious and reflective of a country that is perpetually in a state of vigilance. Un-su Kim deftly creates characters that encourage respect and admiration despite their misdeeds and portrays how a the greatest human vulnerability can be caring about others.
Thanks to Doubleday and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
A novel by Un-su Kim, translated by Sora Kim-Russell
It is an age-old story: Plotters plot, Trackers track, Assassins kill people, the Bear disposes of human remains and libraries are not what they seem, right? Well, maybe.
Reseng, an assassin, who has spent his life bound-up in the trade of dealing out death to others, is almost killed by a bomb set in his toilet. Poetic justice you say? Well, in this action-filled and oddly peopled novel of a blood-soaked Korea, such an event becomes a summons to change.
“The Plotters” is the first English translation of Mr. Kim’s work and shows great promise. To the translator, Ms. Russell, I have this bit of advice; if you are going to write about guns you should know something about them. The “cartridge” you referred to is called a magazine. It is that metal device that goes into the weapon and holds the ammunition in a semi-automatic rifle, or pistol.
If you like a story with a quirk, or two, and an anti-hero with a smirky outlook on life look no further, Reseng and “friends” await. Highly recommended to those searching for a story that is out of the ordinary.
My thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday for the opportunity to review the uncorrected proof of this novel.
sly-humor, Korea, translated, assassins, Asia
I like to see what fiction other cultures are writing and reading. I’ve enjoyed others from SE Asia and China, but not until now from Korea.
The story itself reminds me of several other books in which assassins are a major presence, but here I can feel a lot of tongue in cheek as well as some really sneaky humor that is even worse than puns. That being said, I do think that the translator was kind enough to substitute English language vernacular when needed.
Bottom line: I really enjoyed reading it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Doubleday Books via NetGalley. Thank you!