The book was fine overall, wouldn't be my first choice to recommend to someone.
The start felt a little juvenile, but got better as the story continued. The multiple pov's and characters were sometimes hard to distinguish (especially since some of the characters used an alias as spies do) the context clues were enough to figure it out though.
I did love the strong female characters, Choi Yunah and Dr. Ryu.

I also feel the reader needs to have some knowledge of the Korean culture and language to fully understand certain moments and conversations.

Thanks to Netgallery and the publisher for the advanced copy.

this book has a small number of characters that the book bounces around with different POVs. I felt the beginning was a little slow for me I had to pass a certain point before things felt like something was happening. The overall spy aspect of the story was underwhelming. I felt like the story could have been longer.

As a Korean American who can speak and read Korean, I will say some of the Romanized spelling of Korean words threw me out of the story, but once I knew what they were supposed to be it ended up being okay. I did enjoyed all the different ways that the author weaved in about the immigrants identity in a different world that's not their own.

Overall I did enjoy reading this book even though spy genres aren't really my go to, I wanted to support a Korean author with their work.

3.5 Stars

A completely unique and intriguing premise, action-packed and filled with twists and turns. Park introduces three distinct protagonists across the Korean diaspora in the form of an immigrant, spy, and agent. Within this novel’s ongoing game of cat-and-mouse, Park also reveals to us the cultural nuances and internal conflicts of each character. While their lives, responsibilities, and perspectives are vastly different, there is still a sense of shared humanity and yearning that threads them together. What I really appreciated was Park’s introduction to the story: as he sees himself in all these characters, we then take the time to reflect on the complexity of emigration, linguistic diversity and hierarchy, and internal turmoil and guilt in the face of cultural expectations. While I found the writing to be quite straightforward, I loved the little details that give this story texture, such as the steps in making kimchi, the diverse purposes of soju, and how to swear properly in Korean. There were some plot points and background pieces I didn’t find quite necessary (I would have preferred to dive deeper into the hearts and brains of these complicated yet interesting characters), but overall I enjoyed the overarching message of this story. This made for a great debut!

A striking story weaving together multiple Korean identities and ways of moving through the world in a way I've never seen it done before: through a story about spies. Themes of identity, family, and politics are cradled within the vessel of the spy plot line, and it works so well. At the start of the book, the switching timelines and characters confused me a bit, but by chapter 3 and 4 it became much easier to follow. After that I was hooked. The links between each character weave together beautifully. I really loved this. If you're looking for something with action, heartbreak (you may cry), and humanity, look no further than Oxford Soju Club.

Thank you very much to Dundurn Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oxford and Soju are two very fun things. This book was fun but in a very dark way. North Koreans, South Koreans and Korean Americans all meet at the Oxford Soju Club to eat, drink, and play double blind games of spy craft with one another. Each player is pretending to be someone else. In having to remember who they are to each other, I think they are losing a little bit of themselves. The story is delightfully complicated and will keep you guessing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dundurn Press for this DRC.
#OxfordSojuClub #NetGalley

( really, really wanted to be obsessed with this book (if it’s a book set in Oxford… I’m already so sold), but ultimately, I found the jumps in POV and time fairly hard to track which took me out of the reading experience. It felt like a big puzzle, which is cool, but we weren’t necessarily equipped the best to solve it. That said, I haven’t really read much literature about North Korea and it was incredibly interesting – I do feel like I learned a lot!

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I picked this up because of the intriguing title (I’m a sucker for books set in Oxford) and the amazing cover. The story follows several different people: Jihoon Lim - who runs the Korean restaurant (Oxford Soju Club) in Oxford, Yohan Kim -the North Korean spy in training, Yunah Choi - the American spy and, in flashback, the mysterious Dr Ryu. The story interweavest the stories of these very different people, each a different type of Korean immigrant. The story in the present day is one of murder and mystery with stories from the past helping to link the characters together.
This is a really interesting and atmospheric book. It made me think about the different ways we create lives and identities, especially when far from home. It’s a really good read.

I loved it. It was incredible informative about Korean culture and I enjoyed the storyline a lot. The suspense was perfectly balanced and built up, and I am truly interested in seeing this authors next work. I felt like I got to know and understand the characters like the author wanted to tell them, and I am left thinking about the story for a long time. This really made me forget time. This was just wonderful and full of hope. I can’t wait to read more!! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this one.

This was my first spy novel! which follows a murdered north korean spymaster & a south korean that runs the only korean restaurant in oxford.

great pacing with equal moments of action and introspection. i really loved the exploration of cultural themes and the immigrant experience!

When I requested this book, I thought it might be a bit like a Japanese crime novel, and I was really intrigued.
But I was pleasantly surprised to find a spy novel about a murdered North Korean spy. Tho I find the beginning a little too cliché, the rest of the story proceeded to be very interesting and gripping. This was my first spy- novel and I wasn't let down at all. So everyone who would like to try this genre, I strongly recommend this book.

Oxford Soju Club follows the perspectives of a North Korean spy, a Korean American spy, and a South Korean who runs the only Korean restaurant in Oxford, the Soju Club. Doha, a North Korean spymaster, is found killed, and his protege Yohan needs to figure out who did it. I will not give any more of the plot away to avoid spoilers. Oxford Soju Club is unlike anything I have read before. I found the spy thriller aspect intriguing, especially with how it ties into identity. The only downside is that there were time jumps that I found a bit confusing to follow and there were a couple of parts that I found a bit slow to read through, but overall, I enjoyed the book.

A North Korean spy master is discovered knifed on the first pages of Oxford Soju Club. He breathes a few cliched dying words to his protege and an attempt at a fast-paced espionage story follows. Ultimately, choppy scenes are delivered like a muddled James Bond/Jason Bourne script.

Oxford Soju Club feels like it wants to be an immigrant experience and those aspects of the novel are most effective. Great detail is taken in describing Korean food and a North Korean protagonist makes for an interesting choice. The restaurateur character and backstory with his mother created memorable scenes. The cover design is also well done.

Pinning meaning to an bullet paced spy story is no easy task. In this case so many flashbacks can leave the reader challenged to understand the timing of scene delivery. We are bulldozed with 'telling', the plot moves too rapidly and leaps to illogical progressions. Other than mundane action and chase scenes little in the way of 'showing' is offered.

The digital ARC I received was riddled with page breaks in odd places, random punctuation and out of place tabs. It served as a challenging digital reading experience.

Thank you NetGalley and Dundurn Press for the review copy.

I was drawn to the cover and the author of this book but had very little idea what to expect in the novel. The nature of the story (espionage and identity) meant that sometimes I felt a little bit lost but I was drawn to the main characters. I thought the characterisations of Jihoon and Yunah were particularly effective. Their stories have continued in my mind a few days after finishing the novel. There are many elements of the story which might suggest a very exciting plot driven book (which in many ways it is). It begins with a stabbing in an alleyway and none of the characters are ever very far away from danger or violence. It seemed to me that it is a book that is asking and answering much bigger questions about purpose, identity and belonging with a frenetic side order of safe houses, shootings, spies and intelligence agencies.

I would recommend reading it to engage with those deeper questions and whilst you are thinking about them go along for the chaotic ride rather than reading for a neat plot-drive tale of spies in Oxford. I was not expecting a book about a shadowy underworld of international spying to feel so real. That is the real triumph of this book - I believed in the authenticity of the characters and believed that anything might happen as I was allowed to spy on their world and understand their motivations.

We’ve seen countless spy and CIA novels to the point where the genre can feel a bit stagnant, but this novel brings a fresh, multicultural protagonist and background, adding a much-needed kick—kind of like a good dose of gochujang in my bibimbap (hope it doesn’t sound too cheesy!).

I also love the kimchi, ramen and multiple Korean food references throughout. Some of the dialogues are both intriguing and inspiring, offering thoughtful insights into how we perceive multiculturalism and its people.

I'm typically not the biggest fan of the spy genre, but after reading this I may have to amend that. I found it suspenseful and captivating, and the way Park explores the many-colored and often contradictory facets of what it "means" to be Korean were deeply compelling, adding a humanistic element to the thriller plot that made this SO fun to read

I don't think I've ever read a spy thriller before, but this was definitely an enjoyable first foray into the genre. The story was fast-paced and full of tension, and the characters were interesting and multi-layered. I really appreciated the themes of Korean culture and identity, and the nuances of the immigrant experience. I can't compare it to other spy thrillers, but I feel like this is probably an interesting perspective on the genre. Recommended.

Jinwoo Park's debut novel, Oxford Soju Club, skillfully blends espionage, cultural identity, and personal growth into a captivating story. The plot follows Yohan Kim, a North Korean spy who, after the death of his mentor, embarks on a mission that leads him to a Korean restaurant in Oxford. Simultaneously, Yunah Choi, a Korean-American CIA agent, works to uncover North Korean espionage activities. As their paths converge, the novel unravels a tale full of suspense and emotional depth.

Park excels in developing his characters, particularly Yohan and Yunah. Their struggles and determination are portrayed in a way that feels authentic and engaging, allowing readers to connect with their complex inner journeys. The novel also explores themes of identity, belonging, and the Korean diaspora, providing valuable insight into the motivations that drive each character.

The pacing is well-balanced, with Park seamlessly integrating action with introspective moments. The story is enhanced by multiple perspectives, which offer a richer, multifaceted view of the events. However, the plot's complexity and large cast of characters might be overwhelming at first, requiring careful attention to fully understand the connections between the storylines.

One of the standout features of Oxford Soju Club is its exploration of cultural themes and the immigrant experience, which sets it apart from typical spy thrillers. The Oxford Soju Club, a Korean restaurant, serves as a meaningful backdrop for the characters' interactions, symbolizing the importance of community and tradition in their lives.

Overall, Oxford Soju Club is a remarkable debut that combines the intrigue of espionage with a thoughtful examination of cultural identity and personal growth. Jinwoo Park’s storytelling brings a fresh perspective to the thriller genre, making this novel a compelling read for those who enjoy action alongside profound, character-driven narratives.

It's quite rare for an author to set out his intentions at the start of a novel and I was a bit taken aback to see that Jinwoo Park had done just this - telling us how he intended to explore different forms of Korean identity, but this is just what he did alongside creating a gripping spy novel. It took me a while to get into it, but I found it a page turner once I had.

Spy thriller is not a genre I usually gravitate toward, but I enjoy the author's videos on social media so I gave it ago. Overall, I really enjoyed the read! The book was fast paced, and I finished it in two days. I loved the main characters and how their lives meshed, tangled, and ultimately collided. Most of all, I appreciated the themes of identity (*sobs in Korean diaspora*), choice, and what makes life worth living.

Thanks NetGalley and Dundurk Press for the ARC!

“Oxford Soju Club”, for me, was a drastic step out of my comfort zone in terms of content. I don’t typically enjoy spy novels or media, but the premise of this one, as well as the restaurant as a focal point for the story, piqued my interest in a way that I could not ignore. The characters are varied and while that seems to have been a challenge for some readers, I found it easy to keep them all straight, despite the cover names. While, yes, this is a spy novel, it is also an examination of identity and how people’s experiences can be so different despite sharing a similar heritage, such as the individuals in this novel. I enjoyed the flashback glimpses provided in each chapter, as I felt they afforded us the opportunity to better understand the characters in a way that was just not feasible during the current events. By the end, I was crying over several of these characters. I really enjoyed this one.