The Good Son (Jeong novel)
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2016 |
| Headquarters | South Korea |
| Products | Books |
The Good Son (original title: Jong-ui Giwon, meaning 'The Origin of Species') is a novel authored by You-Jeong Jeong and first published in South Korea in 2016 by Eunhaengnamu (도서출판 은행나무) (). The English translation, completed by Chi-Young Kim, was released in 2018 through Little, Brown Book Group, marking Jeong's debut English-language publication. The English version was also issued by Hachette India.
According to G. Sampath of The Hindu, the story revolves around a homicide, delving deeply into the psychological state of the murderer. Anuradha Varma from Indian Express highlights the novel’s examination of intricate familial relationships and the repercussions that death has on these bonds.
Contents
The narrative follows Han Yu-jin, a 25-year-old man who finds his mother deceased in his apartment located in Incheon. He soon comes to the unsettling realization that he himself is responsible for her death. Yu-jin harbors resentment stemming from restrictions placed on his swimming activities and perceived preferential treatment given to his adopted sibling, Kim Hae-jin. As the story unfolds, Yu-jin grapples with these emotions and ultimately confronts Hae-jin.
Walter Sim of the Straits Times points out that since the identity of the killer is disclosed early on, the novel transforms into an intense psychological exploration of a disturbed mind. Much of the book consists of Yu-jin’s introspective monologues. Varma remarks that the minimalist setting of Yu-jin’s sparse apartment effectively reinforces the novel’s stripped-down thematic approach.
Reception
Sim characterized the work as "dark and claustrophobic," noting its generally favorable critical reception.
Sampath described it as "the stuff of classic page-turners," with only some "oversimplified prose" detracting slightly from its impact.
J. David Osborne of World Literature Today commended it as "an ideal choice for an airplane journey," emphasizing its cinematic storytelling despite occasional lengthy internal dialogues. He found the conclusion to be "gratifying."
Varma recommended it as "an excellent option for weekend reading or commuting," praising the translation for maintaining narrative clarity without obstruction.
Nandita Bose from The Deccan Herald labeled the plot as "both captivating and terrifying," with an ending that borders on humor due to its shock value, though concluding with a chilling final note.
Kirkus Reviews described it as "a sinister, blood-soaked thriller where appearances deceive," applauding its "tight, suspenseful" progression.
Publishers Weekly granted it a starred review, observing that fans of unreliable narrators would find Yu-jin particularly compelling.
External links
- The Good Son - Penguin Books (United States)
- The Good Son - Little Brown UK
- The Good Son - Hachette India
- 종의 기원 - EunHaengNaMu Publishing Co.