Honestly, The Sympathizer Got Me Thinking About My Own Dual Life in Seoul
Okay, so I was pretty skeptical about picking up The Sympathizer. I mean, a Pulitzer Prize-winning book sounds intense, right? But then, picture this: I’m on the subway, totally packed, it’s the unbearable summer heat in Seoul, and I just needed something to take my mind off this brutal week at the office. So I figured, why not?
Started reading and—wow—I was not ready for how deeply this book would mess with my head. I mean, it’s about a guy who’s a spy with conflicting loyalties, and here I am, just a Korean dude trying to balance my own mixed cultural identity in a city that’s always moving way too fast.
Honestly, the way Nguyen writes about the protagonist’s internal conflict reminded me of my own struggles with fitting into both Korean and Western norms. Like, what if I hadn’t taken that job at an international firm just to feel more global? It’s funny how a book about the Vietnam War could make me question my own life choices. I’m probably overthinking this, but it got to me.
The book is full of political intrigue and suspense, which kept me hooked during my Line 2 commute. Seriously though, I almost missed my stop at Hongik University. Not gonna lie, some cultural references went over my head, and there were parts where I had to Google stuff—maybe my English isn’t as great as I thought. But Nguyen’s straightforward writing style was a relief, especially after those long workdays when my brain feels fried.
And the ending? I won’t spoil it, but let’s just say it left me with mixed feelings. It was maybe a bit too neat for someone who’s dealing with the constant pressure of Korean family expectations. But honestly, it’s a reminder that sometimes stories need closure, even if life doesn’t always give us that.
Definitely recommending this to my book club friends—though I might need a couple of soju shots to properly explain why I’m so into this “self-help disguised as fiction” book. Also, thinking about getting the Korean version for my mom, but explaining the whole spy thing might be a bit too much.
In the end, The Sympathizer made me take a step back and really think about my place in this world—or at least in this crazy city. And yeah, just… wow.
