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shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition
I would give this 3.5 stars. I never thought I'd be reading a novel which takes place in North Korea, let alone one by an author who has actually been there. The story is about the life of Jun Do - born and raised in a prison camp. It can be a little confusing (just like living there must be) since some chapters move Jun Do's story along and some chapters give the State version of the story by emulating the loud speaker which tells all the citizens what to believe. The reader gets a real sense of what it must be like to live a lie and to have very little individual identity. On the positive side, some things are redeemed. It's a good, though at times horrific, read.
ginny17's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. One of those gut-wrenching books you can't put down and can't stop thinking about.
modoc's review against another edition
5.0
A beautifully-written punch to the gut.
"The wound that never heals is the unknown one."
"The wound that never heals is the unknown one."
jenmooremo's review against another edition
3.0
I'll admit this wasn't my favorite book but I think that has more to do with my interest because the book was very well written. At times it was predictable and others quite surprising. The sad part is I think that it most likely describes how life is in North Korea,nameless, oppressive, and controlled.
shesnotthere's review against another edition
4.0
Can someone tell me where Commander Ga got the red cell phone after he came back from Texas? The one with the picture of the Korean family & Ingrid Bergman's star?
I was so excited to read this book. I'm obsessed with North Korea & I had read many positive reviews. I enjoyed this book & found it fascinating. It was a little choppy & disjointed, but that was likely due to the different writing styles used throughout the novel. There were a couple of loose ends, like that red cell phone he somehow got in Texas that I could never figure out. If someone knows how he got it, let me know. It was amazing to see how the North Koreans coped with the stresses of the regime. The canned peaches scene was extremely creepy! Personally, I enjoyed the book & would recommend it.
I was so excited to read this book. I'm obsessed with North Korea & I had read many positive reviews. I enjoyed this book & found it fascinating. It was a little choppy & disjointed, but that was likely due to the different writing styles used throughout the novel. There were a couple of loose ends, like that red cell phone he somehow got in Texas that I could never figure out. If someone knows how he got it, let me know. It was amazing to see how the North Koreans coped with the stresses of the regime. The canned peaches scene was extremely creepy! Personally, I enjoyed the book & would recommend it.
xystophi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Eclectic debris
elkyo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5