The-Plotters-2
2020 Longlist

The Plotters

Translated from the Korean by Sora Kim-Russell
artwork-image

ABOUT
THE BOOK

Raised by Old Raccoon in The Library of Dogs, Reseng has always been surrounded by plots to kill – and by books that no one ever reads. In Seoul’s corrupt underworld, he was destined to be an assassin.Until he breaks the rules. That’s when he meets a trio of young women – a convenience store worker, her wheelchair-bound sister, and a cross-eyed obsessive knitter – with an extraordinary plot of their own.

Will the women save the day? Or will Reseng be next on the kill list? Who will look after his cats, Reading Lamp and Book Stand? Who planted the bomb in his toilet? How much beer can he drink before he forgets it all?

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR Un-su
Kim

Un-su Kim was born in 1972 in Busan and is the author of several highly praised novels. He has won the Munhakdongne Novel Prize, Korea’s most prestigious literary prize, and was nominated for the 2016 Grand Prix de la Littéraire Policére. He lives in Jinhae-gu, South Korea.

 

Un-su Kim was born in 1972 in Busan and is the author of several highly praised novels. He has won the Munhakdongne Novel Prize, Korea’s most prestigious literary prize, and was nominated for the 2016 Grand Prix de la Littéraire Policére. He lives in Jinhae-gu, South Korea.

 

ABOUT
THE TRANSLATOR Sora
Kim-Russell

NOMINATING LIBRARY COMMENTS

This is a story about a group of conspirators who plan and mastermind an assassination in the shadows. As the story delves into the plotters behind the person who pulls the trigger, the author builds a bizarre and surreal world populated by brutal people living unconventional lives. A world in which an assassin who goes off script on a killing assignment becomes the group’s next target, creating an intricate web of killing plots. Accordingly, the novel is far from light and shallow, and compellingly full of dark humour and violence. It is beautifully and deftly written, packed with atmosphere and emotional warmth, mirroring our society and asking uncomfortable questions. As the main character begins to question his life, death and role in this cruel world, you cannot help but empathize and find yourself emotionally invested.

Compared to other works of crime fiction, the author deserves recognition for this book’s unique and unusual aspects. It is well translated, too. Bucheon City Library, Republic of Korea

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Country
South Korea
Original Language
Korean
Author
Publisher
Text Publishing Company
Translator
Sora Kim-Russell
Translation
Translated from the Korean by Sora Kim-Russell

RELATED FEATURES

Audio June 11 2024

All About Books: Katy Conneely, Dublin City FM on the 2024 Dublin Literary Award Ceremony

In her 'All About Books' podcast Katy Conneely attends the Winning Ceremony of the 2024 Dublin Literary Award on 23rd May 2024 and provides some highlights of the ceremony
Video June 5 2024

2024 Dublin Literary Award Winners Mircea Cărtărescu and Sean Cotter In Conversation

Mircea Cărtărescu and Sean Cotter, winners of the 2024 Dublin Literary Award take an in-depth look at the winning title, Solenoid with Alex Clarke as part of International Literature Festival Dublin.
Video May 31 2024

Dublin Literary Award 2024 Winner Announcements Highlights

Romanian author Mircea Cărtărescu and translator Sean Cotter have been announced as winners of the 2024 Dublin Literary Award on Thursday 23rd of May, for the novel Solenoid.
Video May 8 2024

Alexis Wright – Praiseworthy Q&A

Q&A with Alexis Wright, one of the six shortlisted authors for the 2024 Dublin Literary Award in which she discusses her passion for libraries and explores the influences behind her novel Praiseworthy

STAY CONNECTED

Stay in touch and sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news and updates on the Dublin Literary Award.