The Disaster Tourist

A Novel

By: Yun Ko-eun

Narrated by: Natalie Naudus

An eco-thriller with a fierce feminist sensibility, The Disaster Tourist engages with the global dialog around climate activism, dark tourism, and the #MeToo movement.

For 10 years, Yona has been stuck behind a desk as a coordinator for Jungle, a travel company specializing in vacation packages to destinations devastated by disaster and climate change. Her work life is uneventful until trouble arises in the form of a predatory colleague.

To forestall any disruption of business as usual, Jungle makes Yona a proposition: a paid “vacation” to the desert island of Mui. But Yona must pose as a tourist and assess whether Jungle should continue their partnership with the unprofitable destination.

Yona travels to the remote island, whose major attraction is an underwhelming sinkhole, a huge disappointment to the customers who’ve paid a premium. Soon Yona discovers the resort’s plan to fabricate a catastrophe in the interest of regaining their good standing with Jungle - and the manager enlists Yona’s help. Yona must choose between the callous company to whom she’s dedicated her life or the possibility of a fresh start in a powerful new position. As she begins to understand the cost of the manufactured disaster, Yona realizes that the lives of Mui’s citizens are in danger - and so is she.

©2020 by Yun Ko-eun. English translation © 2020 by Lizzie Buehler (P)2020 by Blackstone Publishing

Culture Education

Interesting and very strange story. Interesting because it seems to give a view of Korean culture in the work/career environment. I could imagine the travel company happening at least as a fad.

A luxurious yet honest story about tourism.

This is an engaging story about crisis of conscience, traveling and the exploitation of the travel industry as well and how our actions can have a lasting or dramatic effect on those around us, particularly as we travel.

The audiobook is well-paced with crystal clear sound and Natalie Naudus’ narration is fantastic!

Crazy to think this book was originally published in Korean in 2013(!) because it feels all too real while reading it today. It’s an eco-thriller that is a must read!