Soon
afterwards the vice principal starts up an after school club for
students who are considered 'losers' by their peers. To their peers
they are like zombies and have no shadow. These so called 'zero'
students are acknowledged by other students, but adults notice
nothing. It's a harsh hint to adult readers about how much we miss
about the reality of childhood and adolescence.
Suee
connects with two other students, Haeun and Hyunwoo who start up the
Zero Detective Agency. Their goal is to figure out what is going on
and how these students ended up like this. However, soon Suee's
shadow takes control of her and she discovers that the problem is
much closer to home than she could have imagined.
I
love so much about this book. I appreciate that the book reveals that
Suee's attitude of not caring and claiming that these bullied
children are none of her business is comparable to the bullies
actions. I'm thankful that it shows that it is ok and even necessary
to ask others for help when problems are out of control. I love how
her two compatriots show Suee how to be a better person.
The
crisp illustrations are primarily black and white and shades of grey
with sparing use of other colour; mostly purples reds and orange.
This establishes an ominous backdrop for an already creepy story.
Once I finished the novel I went back and reread the prologue. Noting
the eyes of the young girl in that section helped put the whole
narrative into perspective.
The
main characters are richly developed although I wish that the popular
girl bully, Yejin, had more depth to her. The contrast between
her and Hyunwoo, who is popular, smart, and kind is an important
distinction.
I
handed this over to my Korean daughter in law to read. She informed
me that this was a classic Korean style of illustration. She felt
that the book resonated Korean culture. I see it as telling a
universal kind of story from a Korean perspective. We are both full
of questions and wondering. What will happen to the trapped soul? Why
would someone want such a pot created in the first place?
I
generally hate books that end in cliffhangers, but this book has the
kind I can live with. The essential problem in the book is resolved.
The ending is more of a hint for what will happen in the sequel. You
can bet I want to read it.
I love this book so much!
ReplyDeleteMe too. I sure wish the sequel was available in my area.
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