My Holiday in North Korea
The Funniest/Worst Place on Earth
by Wendy E. Simmons
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Pub Date May 03 2016 | Archive Date Jun 15 2016
Description
In My Holiday in North Korea: The Funniest/Worst Place on Earth, Wendy shares a glimpse of North Korea as it’s never been seen before. Even though it’s the scariest place on Earth, somehow Wendy forgot to check her sense of humor at the border.
But Wendy’s initial amusement and bewilderment soon turned to frustration and growing paranoia. Before long, she learned the essential conundrum of “tourism” in North Korea: Travel is truly a love affair. But, just like love, it’s a two-way street. And North Korea deprives you of all this. They want you to fall in love with the singular vision of the country they’re willing to show you and nothing more.
Through poignant, laugh-out-loud essays and 92 never-before-published color photographs of North Korea, Wendy chronicles one of the strangest vacations ever. Along the way, she bares all while undergoing an inner journey as convoluted as the country itself.
Advance Praise
“Writer and photographer Wendy Simmons shares a personal account of her vacation to one of the most reclusive nations on the planet. During her journey she finds herself caught between an international crisis sparked by the film The Interview and accidentally crashing the ‘wedding’ of a North Korean bride to be.” -- Gabriel Sanchez, Buzzfeed
“My Holiday In North Korea by the very funny Wendy Simmons is a must-read for anyone who wants to lift the veil and spy on the real North Korea. But more than that, it is Ms. Simmons’ ease at being a traveler to distant and strange lands that gives this book its unusual insight into what people behind a real iron curtain think, and yes, feel.”
—Maria T. Lennon, author of Confessions of a So-called Middle Child, and Making It Up as I Go Along
“Wendy Simmons traveled to a place few of us will ever go and found herself in the ultimate Potemkin Village. Her intrepid desire to discover the reality behind the stagecraft escorts the reader through My Holiday in North Korea with words and pictures that render this mysterious country both knowable and unknowable, and always fascinating. Simmons’ insightful and funny storytelling evocatively captures the deception, corruption, humor and, ultimately, anguished humanity of a bizarre nation. It’s a wild trip.”
—Jon Reiner, James Beard Award-winning author of The Man Who Couldn’t Eat
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9780795347221 |
| PRICE | $19.95 (USD) |
Average rating from 21 members
Featured Reviews
Kathryn Z, Educator
I couldn't put My Holiday in North Korea down, even though I had started reading it closer to midnight rather than midday. Wendy Simmons' point of view is that of a person who tends to question everything they see, and most importantly, why. This book is of equal parts fascination and cynicism. I can't imagine visiting a place where I'm destined to be lugged around by the same people who's sole responsibility is making sure that you only see and hear the things the government wants you to see and hear for 12-14 hours a day. An excellent memoir for those interested in North Korea.
Debbie (Yodamom) F, Reviewer
What a dangerous, fascinating and unhappy place to visit.
This American Imperialist found some of this story funny but mostly it was sad. The people are so controlled, and manipulated that it broke my heart. The brain washing of the people is heart wrenching. The book was written with a sense of humor so it wasn't dark and gloomy but certain aspects hit me hard. It is very hard for me to see anyone suffer and be controlled.
The bathroom drama had to be the funniest thing in the book. She stayed dehydrated so she wouldn't have to use them any more than she had to. How this great leader trio, yes trio, long story, thought they could get away with be so superior without running water, toilet paper and the need for discussions just to use one is crazy. Oh the discussions, with any slight adjustment came a discussion. Everything about the visit was over the top looney-ville. The whole show they put on for the world visitors is crazy time, Twilight Zone acting.
This is one travel location I have zero interest in visiting. I saw more of the country through Ms. Simmons eyes than I ever expected to. I was worried for her safety, worried for her handlers, her driver, that at any moment they would do or say the wrong thing. I couldn't put this book down I finished it in one day. My last thought was that I am so glad to be considered an American Imperialist
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/R4NRM4ANJED9L/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv Thelibrarything: https://www.librarything.com/work/17286601/book/129905741
Riffle: https://www.rifflebooks.com/books/749969
Blog: https://eatingmybooks.wordpress.com/2016/05/09/my-holiday-in-north-korea-wendy-simmons/
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