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Mystery & Thriller· South Korea

The Good Son

by Jeong You-jeong
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 2016Korean
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About This Book

Published in 2016, The Good Son established Jeong You-jeong as one of the defining voices in mystery & thriller. The Good Son is a psychological thriller that delves into the mind of a young man who wakes up to find his mother murdered. As he pieces together the events leading up to her death, the novel explores themes of memory, identity, and the nature of evil. Jeong You-jeong's gripping narrative and exploration of the human psyche have made this book a standout in the genre. Themes of memory, identity, evil run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorJeong You-jeong
Published2016
Country of Origin🇰🇷 South Korea
LanguageKorean
Category🔍 Mystery & Thriller
ISBN978-0143131953
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

🔍 Mystery & Thriller

Suspenseful fiction built around crime, detection, and hidden truths.

Explore all Mystery & Thriller books →
Country of Origin

🇰🇷 South Korea

This book is part of South Korea's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from South Korea →

Editorial Assessment

First published in 2016, Jeong You-jeong's The Good Son is a work of mystery & thriller that has drawn sustained interest from critics and prize committees alike. Its engagement with memory, identity, evil, family gives the book a depth that extends well beyond its genre. Critics and institutions have consistently placed The Good Son among the notable works of its period. Our aggregate score of 30/100 is compiled from 1 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. What distinguishes The Good Son is how it handles its central concerns — memory, identity, evil, family — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. The Good Son reflects Jeong You-jeong's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with South Korea's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Goodreads Choice Award
notable · global
20180
✍️
About the Author
Jeong You-jeong
South Korea
View Author →

Jeong You-jeong is a South Korea author whose work in mystery & thriller has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Good Son about?

The Good Son is a psychological thriller that delves into the mind of a young man who wakes up to find his mother murdered. As he pieces together the events leading up to her death, the novel explores themes of memory, identity, and the nature of evil. Jeong You-jeong's gripping narrative and exploration of the human psyche have made this book a standout in the genre.

Who wrote The Good Son?

The Good Son was written by Jeong You-jeong, from South Korea. First published in 2016.

What awards has The Good Son won?

The Good Son has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is The Good Son worth reading?

The Good Son is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in memory, identity, evil.

Where can I buy The Good Son?

You can buy The Good Son on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Good Son?

The Good Son is classified as Mystery & Thriller. Suspenseful fiction built around crime, detection, and hidden truths.

What country is The Good Son from?

The Good Son originates from South Korea's literary tradition. Explore more books from South Korea on our country page.

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