The Hole : Book review


Book review

Title: The Hole
Author: Hye-Young Pyun
Genre: Psychological Fiction/Translation (Korean)

The Hole is one such read that crawls under your skin and takes you into a journey of darkness and isolation. 

It tells the story of a man named Oghi who wakes up from coma and finds out he is paralyzed. While he is unable to talk or move, Oghi is able to identify smells and sounds around him. He discovers his wife died in a car accident and he is at the mercy of his only caretaker- his grieving widowed mother in law. Oghi is a prisoner in his own body and dwells on memories of his wife. When Oghi finds his mother in law fervently digging in his wife’s garden, he begins to feel uneasy. While his mother in law responds saying she was completing her daughter’s unfinished project. 

The Hole is narrated in close third person from the point of view of Oghi. Through his interiority and stream of consciousness, the author lends voice to Oghi who otherwise is unable to converse with any other character in the story. The structure is non linear alternating between Oghi and his flashbacks. The narrative branches out in different directions, giving a glimpse of Oghi’s wife’s life, her fascination for famous people and their relationship. It delves into Oghi’s life who is orphaned and some of his dark secrets. It’s interesting how the rest of the characters are unnamed besides Oghi. Even his friends are referred as mere alphabetical letters. 

The author explores the effects of trauma, loneliness and isolation. The characters are complex which makes the readers wonder if they are revenge thirsty or plain grieving and lonely souls. The tone of the book gives the reader an unsettling feeling. Almost like dealing with an unsolved mystery with a gothic element lingering in the background. The Hole also deals with other nuances like family relationships, narcissism, service and duty. It can be classified as a thriller, sometimes as domestic fiction. 

Reading The Hole is an experience by itself. Engaging and compelling, it tends to entwine the readers into a web.

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