If you've ever wondered what life is really like in North Korea, this is not the book for you. If you've ever wondered what North Korea wants you to think life is really like there, then this is the book for you. Wendy E Simmons is one of a very limited number of Americans granted access to a tour of the country, a fully planned, fully monitored, fully devoid of any genuine moments tour of "empire."

We've all heard stories about how the people are brainwashed into thinking that their country really is the greatest on earth and far better than any other in the world, but few have witnessed the truth firsthand as Wendy has, the truth being, that they really do seem to believe it.

This review is brief because words really cannot describe the incredulity I experienced while reading - simply to say, that you should go read it. Read it now and immediately.
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In much the same way Simmons felt about her holiday in North Korea, I found her memoir of it both horrifying and educational. I'm not sure I'd have been able to find the hilarity the way she did, had I been the one on the holiday, but I certainly appreciated her humorous perspective and her writing.

As she goes to great pains to make clear, she was there as a tourist; she does not pretend at any point to understand the political underpinnings of the tragedy that is North Korea. This is a memoir of her holiday there, and her personal experiences during those 10 days, both the horrifying and the heart-touching moments. Oh, and a LOT of Twilight Zone moments.

I have to say, I've had this book for awhile, but hesitated to open it because the cover gave me the impression it would be totally different that it is. That cover photos is a photo Simmons took while there, when she was invited to a wedding reception on the spur of the moment. That woman is the bride to be. Knowing that gave this book a whole different spin in my head, and highlighted the comedy of the absurd that ran throughout those 10 days.

If you enjoy travel memoirs, and you're curious about the culture of a totally closed society minus any political philosophy, and heaps of swearing and humor, definitely check this book out. I did not want to put it down from the moment I opened the cover.

ETA: I have the print edition and it's loaded with great full-color photographs that just added that extra level of interest to the book. ( )

An intimate look at how screwed up North Korea really is. This is a unique perspective of a country many (ie. 99.99999%) of us will never see. Though Wendy comes off as condescending to the people/country as a whole a fair bit (and mainly well deserved) throughout the work, it still reads well and its a quick read. ( )

I think this is one holiday I can skip. ( )

Feels like China 2 generations ago... ( )