My Holiday in North Korea

The Funniest/Worst Place on Earth

By: Wendy E. Simmons

Narrated by: Jeena Yi

Length: 4 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Most people want out of North Korea. Wendy Simmons wanted in.

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, 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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2015 Wendy E. Simmons, Vendeloo, Inc. (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Hilarious in Crazy Land

This book is even better if you have already watched some videos of people who have travelled to NOKO. I believe if you read it , then you have some interest for the country so probably you have watched said videos. It helps because first you can picture it even better (since tourists are always taken to the same places anyway ), and also because you already know some of the insanity of the place. However, Wendy Simmons brings new insight. She has a great sense of humour, and even though she quickly realises she has to spend 10 days in hell , (and worst of all that she signed for it ! ) stuck between "driver, old handler and fresh handler " plus numerous local guides, she never parts from her hilarious look on things. She's smart , witty and has a wide knowledge of the world with a humanitarian look on locals that many travellers cultivate. She also relates new experiences that I had not heard of yet, like the wedding ceremony and the football match. The yoga episode in her hotel room is also unheard of , and you don't know if you should laugh or be downright terrified . Seems to me, Big Brother is not only listening to you , Big Brother is watching you ! I knew about the "concrete wall" and her telling the expedition to no-see it is just farcial. It's a must-read ! And I thought quoting Alice in Wonderland or Through the looking glass was just genius. Because that's exactly what it is : a voyage trough non-sense and she becomes Alice , wishing to go home before things go completely wrong ! The reader performance is great too, because she conveys exactly the author's feelings and emotions.

Alice parts roll my eyes.

Any additional comments?

I liked the overall story, as I love reading all stories from NK. I did NOT like the Alice quotes at all. I rolled my eyes every time they came up. The quotes were just interruption, breaking the pace of the story that I liked to hear. Yes they are short, but they take me out of it.

Please write more👍👏🏻

This audio book was great. I would definitely enjoy listening more of the author's experiences she has had while traveling around the world.

Janet Angell

Very insightful

It's a rare peek into this closed-curtain country. Wonderful to learn of the insights. Jeena Yi conveys the story with perfect voice and attitude. I only wish the author could convey her story without having to use foul language. Otherwise, it's a wonderful story.

Good first hand account of travel in neverland

What made the experience of listening to My Holiday in North Korea the most enjoyable?

Liked the references and comparisons to Alice in Wonderland.

What was one of the most memorable moments of My Holiday in North Korea?

Visit to the DMZ and the invisible wall

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes it held my attention

Any additional comments?

Good summary about stuff that the author thought was real.

facinating look at North Korea

this book was an excellent inside look at North Korrea. It is much worse than I ever thought it was. It left me sad for the people who know no other way of life.

Took a bit of getting used to

I had an issue at first identifying where the author was coming from exactly, as she gives her background and intention much later in the book. Moreover, her writing style can be rather ... flippant (or "sassy"). That having been said, she's a terrific travel writer, capturing moments perfectly, especially impressive as she took as few notes as possible during her stay in case they fell into the wrong hands. So, start out with the idea that she really wants to meet "real" North Koreans and be part of their lives as she has in so many other places; as one should realize in advance, this is Not Easy in North Korea, though she meets with about as much success as is realistically possible.

Usually, I'd say that if one isn't getting into a book after a while, it likely won't improve a lot. This story proves an exception. The saddest moment is her observation of a scene, "That looks live slave labor" with the handler agreeing via non-verbal communication; the funniest had to do with being ... interrupted doing a complicated yoga pose in her room, scantily dressed.

Narration solidly in the very good - excellent range.

Would read again/ spreads grate message

This book shows the extreme difference between country's. I feel as if I have been to North Korea myself and experience everything as she did. Also, it teaches us that there is a difference between the country and the people that live there. That is a lesson that I wish everyone to learn especially in times such as now. Not to reject people for where they were borne but except them for the soul that resides inside the skin. I would highly recommend this book to anyone not just to read but learn from.
From one reader to another I hope you read and love it as much as I have.

Definitely worth reading

I found the book to be very interesting. A peek into a very secretive country!

5/5

A really entertaining account with accuracy that seems to be confirmed by the few videos smuggled out of the country by tourists (go search YT for them). Simmons' book serves as a great supplement for the more dry or historic books about NK.