Review | All Woman And Springtime
Author: Brandon W. Jones
Original Language: English (USA)
Published: 2012
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Summary:
Before she met Il-sun in an orphanage, Gi was a hollow husk of a girl, broken from growing up in one of North Korea’s forced-labor camps. A mathematical genius, she learned to cope with pain by retreating into a realm of numbers and calculations, an escape from both the past and the present. Gi becomes enamored of the brash and radiant Il-sun, a friend she describes as “all woman and springtime.” But Il-sun’s pursuit of a better life imperils both girls when her suitor spirits them across the Demilitarized Zone and sells them as sex workers, first in South Korea and then in the United States. All Woman and Springtime takes us behind the iron curtain of the most mysterious country on earth as it weaves a heartbreaking, breath-taking story.
My Opinion:
As me being a huge North Korea 'fan' (I can't think of a better word), I just could't resist to buy this book. I was not familiar with the author, and found out that this is his debut. The story is about two girls living in the terrible dictatorship of North Korea. They are, just like the rest of the people, brainwashed and unaware of it. It's very intruiging to read about this. The girls seize an opportunity to flee to South Korea, and once they're there, are sold in the sex industry. Even though they have to do pay a terrible price, living in South Korea and later the USA brings some luxuries, such as a refrigerator. It feels weird to realize that things wich are so naturaly for me, can be a huge deal for someone else. But on the other hand, the story makes you wonder if living in the 'free West' is as great as it seems. The book is written in fairly simple language, and is very virtually written. The story begins slowly, which doesn't make it a big page-turner.
Conclusion:
It may not be the best-written story ever, butAll woman and springtime defenitly takes you behind a closed curtain. The story is interesting, but sometimes hard to believe and unreal. But it's nice to read. And if you're interested in the matter, I can certainly recommend it.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
