The Hole: A Novel

A man who is dissatisfied with his work, his life, and his wife is the only survivor after their car crashes in rural South Korea. The man is the only survivor, but alas he suffered major injuries that have left him immobilized. All that he has left is his bitter mother-in-law, who moves in and then starts digging a hole in the yard. Thus begins an engaging and haunting look at modern South Korean life, with its stresses, the work/life balance, and the struggles of succeeding in the fast-paced life of South Korea. The man, named Oghi, has always struggled at life and been dissatisfied with his job and career choices, and he takes it out on his wife, who is equally dissatisfied. But the real struggle begins when the mother-in-law moves in and finds out the truth about their relationship and things take a turn for the worse.

Even though this book is haunting and dark, I found it highly engrossing. I read it pretty much in one sitting across an entire day; it just kept my attention. It’s an absorbing look at the struggle to find meaning in life’s little passages, arguments, and disagreements. And at having to deal with a situation where people ignore you. Hauntingly fascinating.