Friend by Paek Nam-nyong, Translated by Immanuel Kim. The story is set in an idealistic communist country and deals with problems that people are unable to deal with and values that are not found in a capitalist society. The book was enlightening in showing how North Korean people perceive their country. It is a formal style of writing and the characters seemed almost childlike and their actions were often puzzling. However, the book allows an insight into a North Korea that is not shown documentaries or news broadcasts. An interesting read.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

I wasn't really invested in the story or the characters which remained quite shallow, their actions often incomprehensible and naive in my opinion. But the book was interesting nonetheless because it showes how North Korean people perceive their country (or have to portray it at least). Life in North Korea isn't portrayed as problematic as it is shown in various documentaries but as quite mundane with martial tifts and divorce beeing the greatest challenge the characters are confronted with - a little like North Korea likes to present itself. I guess this says a lot about the restrictions publications are under...

Thanks to Columbia University Press and NetGalley for this ebook!