As I said last time I reviewed one of Martin's stories here, all of his books are set in South Korea in the 1970s. In this tale he has changed time but not place, and his series characters, two army investigators, are nowhere to be seen. Instead the hero is Roh Yonk-bok, one of the wealthiest men in Korea.
But, as we learn, he didn't start out that way. He was able to get an education only through money sent back home from his big sister who was working as a bar girl in Yongju-gol, a community that served American G.I.'s, where Koreans were forbidden as customers. One day his sister disappeared and now, years later, Roh is determined to find out what happened to her.
It is a dark tale, full of betrayal and hard-learned cynicism.
"Canyou trust these people, sir?"
Roh turned to look at his bodyguard. He was a faithful man -- in fact chosen for that quality -- and competent at his job, but he had little imagination.
"They want money, don't they?" Roh replied.
"Yes, sir."
"Then I have trust. Not for them but for their greed."
I just read this story. Great review! The quote you posted is one of the best lines in the story. Terrific Piece!
ReplyDelete-Bob D.