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  • 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
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (45 ratings)
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My Holiday in North Korea

By: Wendy E. Simmons
Narrated by: Jeena Yi
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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.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not bad but gets a bit boring.

The thing that keeps springing to mind when listening to this audiobook is :
You must of known what to expect going to North Korea on a holiday!.The author seems to just hate her experience there.

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Naive

For someone who is widely traveled I couldn’t help thinking how poorly prepared and naive the author was. I didn’t find the book at all funny and was positively quite dangerous in the way that the author puts forward a suggestion regarding one of her guides possibly wanting to escape because she was asking her about hard and soft currencies…..Really!!??


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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

An alternative look at NoKo

Thinking of payment a visit to North Korea? This is great reading for a tourist.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Soooooo funny

I only write reviews if I find a book a) really really bad or b) really really good. Anything average isn't worth my efforts. This book which is a very short memoir on an American's 10 day holiday/vacation to North Korea is the only book that has ever made me laugh out loud. I love the author's view on the world and she tells some really funny anecdotes. I suspect I'll read this one again once I've finished my next book. it's too good not to enjoy for a second time.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Jeena Yi’s narration is excellent

A great, gripping story of a travellers experience. I was enlightened by Wendy’s take on her adventure. Well worth listening to as it’s light, informative with shades of darkness. I could listen to Jeena’s voice all day... like eating galaxy chocolate at the same time.... wonderful

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Inextricably gripping

LOVE LOVE LOVE this book, the story, the narration, the ensuing emotions. Short, sweet, sad, hopeful, confusing, enlightening, terrifying, hilarious.... I could go on.

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worst book I have ever heard

It is seldom that I dislike a book - and an author - as intensely as I found myself when reading this book. If Ms Simmons is typical of American tourists in North Korea (and I assume and hope she is not) then it cannot be doing much for diplomacy between the two nations. The whole book is full of snide comments and feelings of superiority of her culture over theirs. She had very little nice to say about anyone - unless they were pretty - she even felt the need to belittle fellow tourists - in this case British teachers. Although to be honest all her "humorous" and snide comments actually appear to have happened in her head rather than actually say them out loud - gosh how brave of you (not). And to be honest I wouldn't feel quite so superior in intellect as the North Koreans if I were you Ms Simmons - the earth does not go around the sun in 1 day... It happens to take a whole year!
If this is the quality of her travel writing then I will steer well clear of it. Bring back Bill Bryson - someone who does not let his own ego get in the way of an excellent travelogue.

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