Korean historical thriller!
The Red Palace by June Hur
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A riveting tale based somewhat “on the life and death of Crown Prince Jangheon (also known as Crown Prince Sado)” of Korea, of the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910). Set in 1758, a young, eighteen year old Palace nurse (Changdeok Palace, Seoul) is drawn into the hunt for a murderer. A dangerous and daunting task. There’s been a massacre of student nurses outside the palace grounds, including Court Lady Ahnbi. Bodies are piling up and all factors point to the Crown Prince. A giant cover up will be implemented and the evidence will point towards Hyeon’s beloved teacher and mentor, Nurse Jeongsu, as the killer.
I really don’t see this strictly as a coming-of-age novel. Rather, it’s an historical thriller/ mystery set in Korea, every bit as puzzling as Jack the Ripper was in Victorian England.
Hyeon’s journey, as she seeks to prove the innocence of her mentor, after Jeongsu was arrested and tortured to confess responsibility for the deaths of several student nurses and a Court Lady, will have Hyeon delving more deeply into to her own path and who she will become.
That search takes Hyeon, an illegitimate daughter of a Lord into the depths of the palace and to a confrontation with Crown Prince Jangheon, as well as into the center of various palace intrigues. She will face the vicious and powerful Head of police Commander Song, and her lordly father, who refuses to acknowledge her.
Most importantly Hyeon takes up the investigation with Eojin a young police officer whom she must learn to trust, as she must learn to trust and pay attention to her own intuition, as she labors to recall pieces of the puzzle that she and Eojin will eventually pull together.
Absolutely fascinating! The story had me rummaging through my photos of Korea, and I felt the weight and history of this country and of people I’ve come to know and admire, surround me.
Jane Hur is brilliant and I’ve already taken steps to read her prior novels.
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