** spoiler alert ** 
 This is a story of an orphan in North Korea, who navigates the treacherous life of being a citizen and sometimes "hero". Taking on roles as a kidnapper, an intelligence agent and finally as one of the most powerful Commanders of the republic, we are given a look at different aspects of North Korean life and the constant struggle to find meaning in it. 
 The book was definitely interesting and had some truly thought-provoking material. In one part, a North Korean woman demands that an American hostage tell her how Americans can possibly live without government control over all aspects of life. It also had some parts that were very difficult to read, such as when the main character is "tested" to make sure he is telling the truth by receiving repeated brutal beatings. 
 The book was difficult to read though, if only because the people's plights seemed so hopeless. With the exception of one bright spot at the very end, the story moved from one sad event to the next, without any real enlightenment for me.