Oxford Soju Club DEALS
Jinwoo Park’s debut novel, Oxford Soju Club, is a spy thriller following the lives of 3 characters whose stories are intertwined in ways beyond those of their respective missions.
Park explores the dynamics between a South Korean restaurateur, a North Korean spy, and a Korean American CIA agent, and expertly tells the story of what it means to wear many masks as an immigrant.
Oxford Soju Club leaves readers with the consideration that those who are seeking acceptance in a new country are leaving behind their own stories and risking everything to build new lives.
Huge thank you to River Street for sending us this ARC for review!
Oxford Soju Club Summary
Set in Oxford in 2012 during the aftermath of the death of Kim Jong-Il, Oxford Soju Club follows Jihoon, the owner of the Soju club, who has settled in Oxford after a tragedy forces him away from his home in South Korea.
He uses his very small fortune to open the only Korean restaurant in the Oxford area, which, through a series of coincidences, puts him in the crossfire of an ongoing cat & mouse game between Yohan, a North Korean spy, and Yunah, a Korean American CIA agent.
The novel takes each character’s perspective by exploring their back stories and the subtle dynamics between North Koreans and South Koreans. Key themes of family, identity, and freedom are woven throughout, and Park creates intricate interactions between characters to demonstrate how these themes represent the experiences of first- and second-generation immigrants, as well as what they are willing to risk to save what matters most.
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Strengths
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is the author’s storytelling ability, as evidenced by the descriptions of cultural nuances that could be difficult to grasp but that Park has successfully woven into the story.
The Korean traditions advance the story but are also informative, such as the revelation that a soju bottle contains 7 shots, meaning that if two people are to share one bottle, they have no choice but to order another.
Other examples include how all characters honour their departed loved ones in the same way, though they are all at odds, and how, in Korean culture, parents give their children nicknames (“shit puppy”) that are meant to be the opposite of praising because they want children to remain humble.
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Additionally, Park describes traditional Korean foods and recipes throughout the novel and how the gastronomy serves as a rallying point where all characters, regardless of their political motivations, can find comfort.
The heart-wrenching story of Jihoon and his Eomma will bring a tear to any reader’s eye; Oxford Soju Club is a novel that invokes much thought by painting a picture of what it means to be an immigrant and the sacrifices required, though it is relatively short.
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At its core, the theme of searching for identity is found in every character’s story throughout Oxford Soju Club. Yohan has no family or history; he is simply a spy/cell for the Republic, but the twist reveals that, though he is not actively searching for his identity, he has one, nevertheless.
Yunah is a Korean American, constantly reinforcing that she is American first; however, her colleagues seem unconvinced of this at many points in the story. This is a parallel with the animosity many immigrants face, even those who are second-generation.
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Jihoon’s story is heartbreaking- he begins a new life in Oxford, away from his childhood trauma in South Korea, with the simple goal of recreating the restaurant and recipes that he had with his mother when he was younger.
Jihoon is in desperate search for a quiet and simple life, but those around him never allow him to find that sanctuary. Jinwoo Park wrote a story that represents the experiences of many first- and second-generation immigrants, which was presented as a spy novel but focuses more on the challenges of cultural expectations.
Verdict
Oxford Soju Club is a captivating debut novel and an enthralling read for fans of books that focus on character development and interactions.
While not without some plot weaknesses, Park’s storytelling ability keeps readers interested in each character’s search for identity and reinforces the importance of family. If you enjoy a spy thriller, a book that makes you feel like you are sitting in the story, or just want to learn more about Korean culture, this one’s for you!
*Disclosure: We only recommend books that we love and would read ourselves. This post contains affiliate links, as we are part of the Amazon Services LCC Associate Program and others, which may earn us a small commission, at no additional cost to you.
The Review
Oxford Soju Club
Oxford Soju Club is a captivating debut novel and an enthralling read for fans of books that focus on character development and interactions.
PROS
- Characters
- Story
- Quick read
CONS
- Need more plot development
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