This is a good access point for finding out more information about North Korea if you don't know anything about the place or haven't read any other books about it. Otherwise, it's more of the same, but with an interesting captivity narrative overlay. I think what happened to Ms. Lee is truly frightening - getting dragged across the border from China into North Korea. It's a worst nightmare come true. I am so glad her story had a happy ending.Also, not gonna lie, my favorite part was when she got home after finally being released and the first thing she did was deep-clean her entire house. Because that is totally what I would do. She says it was a symbolic process for her that helped her get out some of her feelings and I totally get that. I gave this book a rating of 3 stars because found the book on some level entertaining. It is a good story even if I was not too keen on the author/protagonist. I did not learn anything new about North Korea or the North Korean people. I was appalled at how stupidly the women behaved, how much danger they put the people they were supposed to be helping in, and how little they knew about how North Korea worked. I also think more people might have been affected by the publishing of this book than Lee thinks. In the book a man is interviewed who says that he felt that Lee's crew was more interested in making their film than actually helping anyone. I think he was right. So many people were put in danger for what? ...to get a shot of Ling standing near or in North Korea? Wow.I'm not saying that Lee or Ling are horrible or even selfish people. They really did want do draw the world's attention to a problem. But, they did not do enough to keep the people who gave their life stories safe. They did not do all they could to keep identities anonymous. They took needless chances. They did not do a good enough job.
This wasn't as in-depth as Ling's portrayal, but I think it was an interesting read in general.
—Ronnie
Well written to share the experience of her capture and imprisonment in North Korea.
—guccigurl
I really enjoyed this book. Quick read, interesting true story.
—pinkcontacts
Such courage to share. captivated till the end. recommended.
—Bookmonkey
Great Book!!
—cindy
