When Oghi awoke to the blinding lights of the hospital ward, completely paralyzed and unable to speak, he never would have imagined that this would only be the start of his grim demise. Oghi’s peaceful, ordinary life was destroyed within seconds by a run-of-the-mill accident, but the cuts ran deeper into his ugly secrets than Oghi would have liked. Award- winning author Pyun Hye-young’s fourth novel, The Hole, is a psychological thriller with powerful and composed storytelling that engrosses the reader with Oghi’s fear and helplessness as he confronts his foul past that has come back to haunt him.

Everyone loves a good horror story. Even those that detest being frightened can appreciate a well- formulated narrative that incites the most powerful and raw emotion of humankind. The Harvard Business Review noted that the appeal of horror stories stems from experiencing dangers that feel both distant and detachable. A bloody chase from a manical serial killer or a hoard of vicious zombies is entertaining because it is just barely out of touch with reality.

Psychological thrillers are a slightly different breed of horror, for they deviate from the conventions of using visible dangers. The narrative revolves around events that are closer to reality–an unfortunate car accident, for instance. Instead of introducing ghosts and monsters, psychological thrillers plant seeds of horror in the reader’s mind; the dark and unsavory implications tucked between the lines fester until the unsettling feeling in one’s stomach materializes into a looming shadow of dread that grows solely out of the reader’s imagination.

Fear Through Helplessness

The Hole’s premise is an excellent example of such a narrative. Oghi is a successful, middle-aged man whose seemingly “perfect” life turns upside down when he and his wife get into a car accident. The accident kills his wife and leaves Oghi’s limbs completely paralyzed, barring his left arm. The only person that he can rely on is his mother- in-law, who looks after Oghi while grieving for the loss of her beloved daughter. The indecipherable remoteness of his mother-in-law permeates throughout the now gloomy and desolate townhouse that once was called home, while Oghi is left with nothing but his own thoughts and memories. The melancholy does not last long, however, as Oghi’s mother-in-law starts digging a giant pit in the front garden after she reads her daughter’s manuscript of “an open letter to someone.” Paranoia seeps into Oghi as the truth about him and his wife is utterly exposed to the woman that clutches his fate in her very hands.

The overarching element of fear for The Hole is helplessness. Throughout the story, Oghi is unable to perform anything he desires. Not only can he not move or speak, but the negligence and disinterest of those around him make delivering his intentions even more difficult. The slow, gruesome process of Oghi being stripped of his own willpower provokes a strong repulsiveness, forcing one to imagine the vulnerability of surrendering two fundamental human factors–autonomy and compassion.

As Power Flows

Another noteworthy theme within The Hole is the changing relationships of power and control for the characters. Before his accident, Oghi holds power and privilege in almost all aspects of his life. He wields full command over his physical and mental being. He possesses wealth and status as a successful full-time professor and is the sole breadwinner in his household. Oghi is not hesitant to use this privilege either; he exercises power over his career, not to mention his colleagues, students, and wife to suit his tastes.

The car accident becomes the turning point for Oghi’s seemingly “unlimited” regime, as all autonomy that he possessed is upended in the blink of an eye. Each significant development throughout the story points to Oghi’s detachment from power. His interactions with his hired caretaker exemplify his loss of bodily and mental grip, and his visits from his colleagues represent his social presence slipping away from him. Lastly, the final scene depicts Oghi’s wife gaining the upper hand in their marriage as she solidifies Oghi’s fate with her manuscript–her final act of retribution.

If Oghi was a powerless, harmless man that simply had to endure such tragedies, this thriller would have made a much blander story. Yet, it is the camouflaged implications of causal abuse of power and the aftermath of its removal that manage to provide the story with more depth and nuance for individuals to interpret. This is made possible through Pyun’s meticulous choice of narrative and tone, which ensures the reader does not stray from enjoying the journey of thrills without limiting the reader’s experience to a mere single-track ride.

Despite Pyun’s skillful use of words that expertly guide the reader through an emotionally tempestuous trip, their final impressions will invariably be different as they reach the end. Some might leave with fear in the wake of a horrifying ending; others may show disgust and resentment toward the protagonist; meanwhile, compassionate individuals may take pity on him instead. Despite the uneasy feeling Pyun leaves readers with, there is no doubt that this book would be a hit for those hoping to get their hands on the next great thriller. Daunting yet mesmerizing, The Hole is highly recommended for those who can appreciate a well-versed thriller.

Book Information

Title: The Hole

Author: Pyun Hye-young

Publisher: Arcade Publishing

Publication Year: 2016

Pages: 197