GLOAT now enters my lexicon as an acronymic shorthand for "evil bastard corporate actor" alongside its sixtyish ancestor CHOAM from Dune. As Soon, the character who works at GoogleGLOAT, drifts in and out of the narrative, I thought I was supposed to attach meaning to these time-shifts into either the *Korea MS or Parker Jotter the SF writer manqué's PoV...but there was not something I could find that reliably sent me off to another narrative strand. It could be that I'm just not sophisticated enough, or attentive enough, to identify it; nonetheless its invisibility to me (whatever the cause) cost me fluid readability.

I'm not proficient in Korean history so I went into the read expecting to need St. Wiki's help untangling what/when/who nexuses. Author Park offers clues that feel very helpful. The problem is these clues aren't terribly well signposted. By which I mean I think he went out of his way to bury them in odd places.

"Flounder" is my verb for this read. I floundered from the beginning to the end. I splashed in a kiddie pool that floated into the Indiana Natatorium. I'm pretty sure most of the time I was listing perilously in the diving well...deep but not lethal.

I'm giving you the impression that this wasn't fun, but oh boy was it! Like being in a giant playtank without adult supervision always is! Splash into the Korean Provisional Government's truly jaw-dropping existence; then to the Korean War vet (my dad was one, too) Parker's awful struggles, Soon's crisis of conscience; the story didn't help me figure out where I was or who I was with. Author Park trusted me to figure it out.

How often do you get that experience? I'm not sure when I was last left alone by a US writer to slug through a learning curve. It was heady stuff. As was its quiet-part-aloud disdain for crony capitalism. The main reason people rise in the current capitalist hellscape is mostly down to who they know and how much they can spend on the crappy people who gatekeep access to the ocean of money (fake, fiat money has no logical reason for scarcity) need to do...anything...hence GLOAT.

It won't be everyone's jam. If you found Cloud Atlas impenetrable, this isn't your book. OTOH, if you're into bibimbap already, the food references will feel like horrible torture unless you live near a Korean place. Hanjeongsik is in my very near future if I have anything to say about it...but that's beside the point. You need to have a willingness to keep going in spite of wondering what this or that person's name is, this or that historical event's factuality is, and be ready to accept the "aha!" moments as they come.

A strong anti-crony capitalist theme in a book that allows me to learn things for myself. Had it been 100pp shorter I'd be full-five-starring it. But at 520-plus pages it felt bloated, slightly self-indulgent. A story I recommend with mild reservations, not a "just READ it gorram you!" shove.

A well-executed yet ambitious genre-bending project. Impressive combination of sci-fi and historical fiction. I could appreciate the craft and literary mastery Park exhibits but I did not connect as much with the story as I would have liked. I found it difficult to follow between "stories" but it made for an engaging challenge than a frustrating one. I'd recommend interested readers to give it a chance but not feel compelled to finish if it doesn't take.

Unfortunately I was unable to download this book before the archive date, so I'm not able to leave a review. I look forward to reading and reviewing books by this author in the future.

Same Bed Different Dreams by Ed Park is an interesting dive into history, reimagined in ways that feel alive. I thought it was really interesting that Ed Park takes something as distant as Korea's 20th Century history and makes it engaging. Park has a talent for weaving fact with fiction, while adding layers of humanity to historical events that are usually dry for me to read.

The book explores identity, loyalty and the effects of history on its present through its characters and twists. Park's story writing is sharp and clever. I think it's rare to read a book that's intellectual in history and yet still enjoyable to read.

I would recommend to anyone that loves a good read in history, but also enjoys an inventiveness in how it's told. It's a reminder that the past continues to shape all of us.

I tried to read this book both physically and through an audiobook and could never fully get into it. For some reason, this one wasn’t for me at this time. It might be one that I would love at another time so I will try again later. I think something about the tone of the story didn’t grab me. It appears to be loved by many so there is definitely an audience for it.
#SameBedDifferentDreams #NetGalley #RandomHousePublishingGroupRandomHouse

I read this book while traveling through South Korea and Japan, which amplified the experience. It's a stunning work of speculative fiction.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

Couldn't get into this one, much less finish it. I think mostly I don't have the history/knowledge to fully understand some of the story.

I tried. I just cannot finish this book. It is not for me. The premise sounds good, but this book is not for me.

Thank you Random House for allowing me to read and review Same Bed Different Dreams on NetGalley.

Published: 11/07/23

Stars: 2 (exception)

Out of my league.

The synopsis is what it is. Frankly, I didn't understand this. I spent my time reading, thinking, and trying to find a story to no avail. Another book loaded with prizes that has left me stymied.

Doing some catchup on the backlist. This is one that didn't entirely land for me personally, but the setup of using historical fact to spin alternate futures was really well done. Definitely worth a read through.

This is an ambitiously conceived, fast paced, engaging book. It has some fine lines, amusing mild snark, a generally amiable tone, a few well-conceived set pieces, and a fair share of perceptive and insightful observations. It's also good, sometimes pointed, fun. I would encourage inquisitive readers who like playing with genre conventions to give the book a try.

An intense journey through an alternate history of Korea that feels like it was penned by Thomas Pynchon, blending encyclopedic references to historical figures and pop culture, wit, and postmodern playfulness, all wrapped up in the tumultuous 20th-century Korean experience.

What a fascinating book. Ed Park is definitely an author to watch. This book is truly unique and unlike anything I have ever read. It took me a while to get to it but I am so glad that I made time to read this.

This book was really hard to get into. I lived in Korea in the past and thought it would be really interesting, but this "alt history" felt like a journal instead of a novel. Sorry it just was not for me.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC #sponsored

"Same Bed, Different Dreams" by Ed Park presents a unique premise that delves into the complexities of identity, memory, and the nature of reality. While the novel offers a thought-provoking exploration of these themes, its ambitious scope is ultimately hindered by uneven pacing and a lack of clarity in its narrative structure.

One of the novel's most compelling aspects is its central conceit: the existence of parallel universes and the possibility of alternate versions of oneself. Through the experiences of the protagonist, Park crafts a fascinating meditation on the nature of selfhood and the ways in which our choices shape our lives. The concept of encountering different iterations of oneself in alternate realities is inherently intriguing, and Park explores it with both creativity and depth.

Moreover, the prose in "Same Bed, Different Dreams" is often lyrical and evocative, drawing readers into the surreal landscapes of the various parallel worlds. Park demonstrates a keen ability to create vivid imagery and atmospheric settings, lending the novel a dreamlike quality that is both captivating and disorienting.

However, where the novel falls short is in its execution of this intriguing premise. The narrative unfolds in a disjointed fashion, with shifts between different timelines and realities that can be confusing to follow. While this non-linear approach may be intentional, it often detracts from the overall coherence of the story, leaving readers feeling disoriented and disconnected from the characters and their journeys.

Additionally, the pacing of the novel can be uneven, with certain sections dragging on while others feel rushed. This inconsistency in pacing can disrupt the flow of the narrative, making it difficult for readers to fully engage with the story and its themes.

Overall, "Same Bed, Different Dreams" is a novel that presents a compelling concept but struggles to fully realize its potential due to issues with narrative structure and pacing. While it may appeal to readers intrigued by existential themes and speculative fiction, it may leave others feeling frustrated by its lack of clarity and coherence.

For publisher, review will be posted to Goodreads.

Could not finish. I expected this to be more like The Man in the High Castle but it was way too dense.

The novel offers a poignant exploration of family, memory, and the search for identity in a complex and ever-changing world.
Park's prose is elegant and evocative, imbued with a sense of melancholy and longing. His descriptions of New York City are especially vivid, capturing the energy and diversity of the urban landscape with precision and detail. At the heart of the novel is the relationship between siblings, Daniel and Jenny, whose lives take divergent paths as they navigate the challenges of adulthood. Park deftly explores the dynamics of siblinghood, capturing the bond that unites them even as they grapple with their struggles and desires.

https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2023-part-two/?single=true

Sometimes the simulation is a little on the nose—you see the glitches when trying to make sense of the world in its current iteration. So goes the present-day US for a handful of characters clumped under the “Asian-American” label in Ed Park’s witty and inventive new novel Same Bed Different Dreams, which hinges on a revisionist history in which the Korean Provisional Government of 1919 survives to strategize reunification from behind the Red Window Shade.

What did it mean to be Korean, rather than Japanese, wonders a character whose ethnic inheritance has been shrouded by the aftermath of World War II, a sentiment that extends to cultural touchpoints in the present era, from the Stanley Cup to failing lit mags to the tech aspirations of your local HR department. The novel houses a dream inside a story inside a flashback, and brings together the histories of Soon Sheen, a programmer at a nefarious tech company (GLOAT), Parker Jotter, a Korean war vet turned appliance story owner, Monk Zingapan, a game designer, and Story (Astoria), Soon’s gaming child. Park’s alternate history is written with a dedication to invented facts rivaling Biography of X and The Man in the High Castle. Hurry to snatch a copy, then take your time so you don’t miss all the Easter eggs.

I did not have time to give this book a proper review before the publish date, however I am giving this book 4 stars.

I wanted to read this book because the blurb sounded nuts. I’m happy to say, it mostly lives up to that promise.

While the book transverses multiple time periods, timelines, and perspectives, the actual history it’s rooted in helps it make sense (in an insane kind of way), and the necessity of the different parts eventually becomes clearer.

The best thing I can say is that this book sent me down a massive rabbit hole about 20th century Korean history and it seems to be exhaustively researched (Kim Jong Il actually really loved Friday the 13th. Who knew?). But it’s incredibly creative as well, even if I’m not sure it all paid off for me. But I genuinely liked it.