The Hole by Hye-Young Pyun is a dark and unsettling psychological thriller that delves into grief, guilt, and isolation. The novel’s premise is intriguing, following a man who, after a tragic car accident, finds himself paralyzed and entirely dependent on his mother-in-law—whose behavior grows increasingly disturbing. Pyun’s writing is tense and atmospheric, creating a sense of dread that lingers throughout.

While the novel effectively captures the claustrophobic horror of helplessness, the slow pacing and repetitive internal monologues can make the story feel drawn out. The tension builds gradually, but some readers may find the progression too subdued. The psychological depth is compelling, though the story often feels more like a character study than a fully realized thriller.

The ending is chilling and memorable, but the journey there feels uneven. The Hole is an unsettling exploration of isolation and despair, but its slow pace and ambiguity may not suit all tastes. A solid 3-star read for fans of psychological horror with a literary edge.

The Hole is a very bleak psychological thriller about awful people doing awful things. The story, in a way, is one huge metaphor for grief. At first I felt bad for the main character, who couldn’t do much for himself except move his left hand some, and how he was treated but as the story progressed you find out he isn’t actually a nice guy. But, does that mean he deserved what has happened to him and what he is put through? This book made me think, made me cringe and kept me questioning throughout..

I think maybe I missed something here, because I just found this book very very slow, and not all that interesting.
It was short, so I continued on.
It's not a bad book, it just doesn't deliver on the promise of the blurb.
I was waiting a long time for tension....