The Sorcerer of Pyongyang

Name: The Sorcerer of Pyongyang
Brand: Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand
SKU: 9781472156976
Price: 27.99 NZD
Availability: OutOfStock

By Marcel Theroux

0.0 (0 reviews)

3.79

( 1,444 ratings, 253 reviews)

Summary

The Sorcerer of Pyongyang by Marcel Theroux tells the story of a young boy in North Korea who discovers a forbidden book that transports him to a magical world. His imagination flourishes amidst the rigid constraints of his society, offering him a form of escape and understanding in a land where freedom is severely restricted. Through this enchanting tale, themes of hope and resilience are woven against the backdrop of a repressive regime.
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Format: Paperback / softback

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy stories that delve into the complexities of life under a totalitarian regime, intertwined with unexpected gifts and the power of imagination. It's a gripping tale that explores resilience, identity, and the transformative magic found in the most unusual places.

Description

'A compulsively readable tale, all the better for being set in one of the most secretive countries in the world. In The Sorcerer of Pyongyang, Marcel Theroux captures the extraordinary atmosphere of North Korean life with wit and insight' Michael Palin

In the most isolated country on earth, a chance discovery shapes a young man's destiny.

Growing up amid the starvation and oppression of 1990s North Korea, 10-year-old Cho Jun-su stumbles upon a mysterious game, left behind in a hotel room by a rare foreign visitor.

As Jun-su painstakingly deciphers the rules of the game in secret, he unlocks an inner world that is at first an antidote and then a threat to the political cult that surrounds him. Over time, the game leads Jun-su on a spellbinding and unexpected journey through the hidden layers of his country, towards precocious success, glory, love, betrayal, prison, a spell at the pinnacle of the North Korean elite, and an extraordinary kind of redemption.

Warm, uplifting, and deeply-researched, The Sorcerer of Pyongyang is a love story and a tale of survival against the odds. Inspired by the testimony of North Korean refugees, and drawing on the author's personal experience of North Korea, it testifies to the power of empathy and the human imagination.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Sorcerer of Pyongyang by Marcel Theroux is praised for its in-depth portrayal of North Korean life, bouncing between the lives of elites and ordinary citizens. The novel blends elements of a thriller and love story, capturing the enigmatic atmosphere of the country with wit and insight. Critics highlight Theroux's meticulous research, noting the book's ability to enlighten readers on North Korean society while maintaining intelligence and compassion. It is described as both compelling and entertaining, offering a profound exploration of human resilience under extreme conditions.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781472156976

Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 March 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Corsair

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 24.0mm

Width: 126.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 200g

Pages: 240

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Marcel Theroux

About the Author

Acclaimed writer Marcel Theroux is now one of the faces of the new BBC4 television channel, as well as being the son of Paul Theroux and the brother of Louis.

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