Interesting character dynamics deftly steer this slow-build military mystery.
Eddie Profar used to imagine his future as a golden rock star, but his reality is a grudging draftee forced to freeze off his extremities near the DMZ. Teenage dreams usurped, Eddie adapts as well as anyone can to subzero Korean weather, forced proximity to strangers, and the constant threat of escalating violence. His closest friend is Yevgeny Lee, a curious fellow with an even more curious background. Together, the men swap stories and smokes while dodging land mines and VDs as they complete their tour of duty. Life in the military brings unique challenges for Profar, a cautious man with a stubborn sense of justice and an insatiable curiosity. He tries to fly under the radar, unlike gregarious Lee who is always up for a good time. To cope with the ongoing traumas, these resourceful soldiers take advantage of any way to boost morale. One evening of desperate revelry unearths a secret that could upset the balance along the 38th parallel. Carefully navigating the rigid chain of command is a delicate process, and Profar and Lee have different ideas on how to manage their unwanted discovery. Political posturing, greedy opportunists, and local customs are just a few difficulties that complicate their increasingly tricky situation. They learn many lessons in Korea, but the most unexpected is that love is a powerful force of nature that won’t be bribed, managed, coerced, or controlled.
There are rarely happy endings in war and Gojan Nikolich maintains that somber tone in Tiger Season: A Novel of Korea. It may be fiction, but this penetrating novel takes an unflinching look back at a period in history where facts are as brutal as any novelist could conceive. From sex workers in sanctioned camp towns and forced sex-ed discourses to the grim life of a soldier and the social disconnect with civilian family members, every aspect is examined in a harsh, unfiltered light. When Profar and Lee stumble into something not meant for them to see, their basic training conflicts with common sense. But in their world, very little makes sense so their naive and honest reactions feel relatable despite the shocking circumstances. Interesting character dynamics deftly steer this slow-build military mystery so that the novel’s ultimate heroes and enemies come as a surprise. A book of mesmerizing contrasts, Tiger Season pits perceived history against practiced reality and heartfelt devotion against wanton destruction. The result is a swelling suspense with dramatic peaks, cavernous valleys, and a subtle, melancholic finish.
