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By: CHCH 312
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2026-03-31 15:26:39 |
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This was a well-written engaging story that kept you reading to the end. The content was horrifying but compelling. The characters' stories interconnected and tied up at the end really well. This book makes you think about the realities of North Korea, and its leaders plans for the rest. |
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By: WHANGA 004
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2026-03-11 10:33:33 |
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Very good read, informative and well-written. |
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By: CHCH 009
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2026-02-07 17:02:49 |
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Very varied reactions - reflecting the current world order and our reactions to it. |
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By: BLENH 007
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2025-11-17 11:46:09 |
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A good read with a well thought out plot. Great detail, obviously well researched. |
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By: NGON 001
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2025-11-08 11:59:35 |
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Voted one of the best books this group has read. Compelling, interesting, horrifying, and absolutely engrossing. Well researched. |
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By: HAMIL 003
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2025-11-06 13:17:38 |
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'Star of the North' is both very well researched and well written. It is the most popular book we've read this year. We found it very informative and appreciate the insight into North Korea that we've gained. |
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By: CHCH 240
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2025-10-24 14:36:12 |
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A great read and outlining the sad, but true, life of North Korea. Some interesting 'convenient' connections towards the end but thrilling and enjoyable. |
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By: LOWER 019
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2025-10-11 19:33:02 |
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Most found this book difficult to read, but were glad they did. Learnt a lot about North Korea. Felt some aspects were far fetched, eg. the main protagonist's ability to fight, the chance meeting with the sister, and the chases. |
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By: MTMA 012
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2025-06-25 11:52:27 |
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The whole group unanimously loved this book. Our favourite book so far. Brilliant storylines, real characters, and an intriguing insight into how North Korea operates. A fantastic book! |
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By: BLENH 010
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2025-05-13 11:16:28 |
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Generally considered a good read though we felt that events became rather far-fetched towards the end. What we learned about North Korea was appalling, particularly as this was based on real events. |
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By: TAUR 059
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2025-05-11 13:09:14 |
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Most really enjoyed the book and could not put it down once started. The plot and the characters were well-written and for most believable. A couple of the group found Jenna becoming a spy completely unbelievable which did taint their overall enjoyment to some degree. The camp, seed bearing etc was discussed at length. Most of us had independently looked up some things written about to get more context. |
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By: BLENH 010
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2025-04-30 10:09:01 |
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Generally considered a good read though we felt that events became rather far fetched towards the end. What we learned about North Korea was appalling. |
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By: PIOPIO 001
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2025-04-27 12:08:22 |
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All thought is was a very good book and well-written. Memorable and well crafted characters. It was a little unbelievable but the author's notes put perspective on some aspects. Had to remember that it was written as a 'thriller'. We had a lengthy discussion digressing into world politics and yet another realization that here in NZ we are often insulated from the reality of day to day survival. |
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By: CHCH 299
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2025-03-11 11:21:18 |
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One of the few books that everyone in the group enjoyed, including those who don't usually like political thrillers, with interesting characters and fascinating information about a country we know so little about. A good discussion book on the nature of dictatorships and how people cope living in such a world. |
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By: WHAKA 017
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2025-03-03 10:17:04 |
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This is our best overall book ever and scored very well. Everyone learnt a lot and found it very interesting. Best character - Mrs Moon. Cho a little unbelievable at times. We would definitely recommend. |
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By: BREAM 002
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2025-01-31 11:31:41 |
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An amazing story, it had us all hooked. |
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By: OHOPE 002
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2024-10-16 09:57:37 |
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Great read. Everyone really enjoyed it. Great discussion. |
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By: AUCK 471
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2024-10-09 11:45:57 |
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Overall, the group enjoyed this book. For most of us, it was the first time we'd really learned a bit more about North Korea and that was fascinating. Some minor plot points were a bit unnecessary but everyone in the group read it (which was rare) and it made for a great discussion. |
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By: CHCH 553
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2024-08-06 13:12:45 |
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Our group really enjoyed the book with lots of great discussion in our group - particularly as we have a member who has been to North Korea! |
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By: NEWP 009
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2024-08-05 14:56:04 |
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All enjoyed, but very moved and upset by the treatment of the captured and by general life in North Korea. So lucky to live in N.Z. |
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By: COROM 004
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2024-06-12 14:12:33 |
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Most enjoyed the book; one said it was the best book we've had so far. |
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By: TAUR 061
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2024-06-02 18:46:32 |
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We were engrossed by the world John presented. The Star of the North, only shines for the chosen few. John ensures we become aware of what happens to the ‘have nots’. Life is harsh. The final pages shocked us all. If the author is to be believed, North Korea and Nazi Germany have much in common. It seems ironical that the symbol of the balloons with Choco pies introduced at the beginning of the novel, which we assume came from Sth Korea, are currently in the news. This time they’re going Nth to Sth this time filled with rubbish and faeces. Go figure?! |
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By: LOWER 018
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2024-05-09 09:38:57 |
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A very popular book - extremely informative, yet still a rattling good yarn. We await the movie. |
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By: HAMIL 029
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2024-05-07 17:09:53 |
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The group enjoyed this book for both the thriller storyline and the grim picture of life in North Korea it presented. As far as we could judge from the writer's biography and other reading, this was a trustworthy account of how North Koreans live and our discussion very much focused on that. At times, the material is very grim indeed and surprising to find in the thriller genre. Several of us said the book was so gripping they read it very very quickly even though it is not a short novel. |
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By: TEPUK 004
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2024-03-06 12:15:01 |
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We all absolutely LOVED this book. Gripping read. Two hour solid discussion, but we found the questions in the notes a bit too long. Thoroughly recommend that groups read 'The Girl With the Seven Names' as a follow up. |
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By: AUCK 446
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2024-02-26 13:06:33 |
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We are enjoyed the book very much. It gave a little insight into the restricted society of North Korea, and made us appreciate our own democratic society. |
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By: TIMAR 022
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2024-01-23 14:42:58 |
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All members enjoyed this book. |
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By: CULV 001
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2024-01-11 09:27:59 |
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The group found this challenging at times and learnt a great deal about North Korea, but it was very well-written by the author who had resided there at some stage. Unbelievable that a country such as this is not so far from New Zealand! |
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By: RICH 007
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2023-11-23 13:44:28 |
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Everyone in the group found this book fascinating and informative. None of us knew much about North Korea and although fiction, the author had done extensive research so events that happened in the story were based on factual evidence. A very worthwhile read. |
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By: CHCH 539
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2023-10-30 11:29:21 |
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Our whole group loved this book. Fantastic discussion on the political repression and restrictions of human rights. Intricate storyline. An extremely well-written novel. |
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By: ROTO 006
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2023-10-18 13:26:10 |
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Everyone in the group loved this book as shown in our rating. There was such a lively discussion that we did not have time for all the questions! |
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By: TWIZ 003
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2023-09-20 10:30:10 |
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We enjoyed this. Although a bit graphic in parts was very educational. |
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By: TIMAR 004
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2023-09-18 10:59:45 |
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Eye-opening about the regime of North Korea. |
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By: RAUM 003
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2023-08-21 14:39:21 |
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Everyone really enjoyed the book - even two husbands! Very revealing - created a lot of discussion with few gaps. Great book and well-written. |
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By: NELS 040
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2023-07-26 11:16:22 |
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Very interesting and informative. A chilling observation of life in North Korea. Read with interest by all in our group. |
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By: CLARK 001
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2023-07-19 12:00:13 |
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Considered the best read this year. Beautifully crafted. Members were shocked and felt they had learnt from the author's clever narration through all the characters. The 'Author's Note' was particularly enlightening and gave authenticity. |
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By: WELL 041
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2023-07-17 12:43:57 |
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This was a stunning and gripping book. At first we all thought we were reading fiction, but it soon became apparent that this book was based on fact. North Korea, dominated by Kim Jong-Il, and the people kept in servitude and severe hunger. The 'outside' world is unknown to them and they revere their dictator. We see both sides of the story and were quite horrified at the cruelty that erupted throughout the book. It certainly opened our eyes to North Korea. Only one member did not read the book. |
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By: TIMAR 011
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2023-06-28 10:00:16 |
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I missed the meeting where this was discussed, I was sorry about that as I thoroughly enjoyed the book, as did my husband. I gave it a 5 - so did some other members. Apparently a good discussion. |
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By: OHOPE 009
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2023-06-01 13:59:30 |
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Nice descriptive writing style. The ending was possibly a bit far-fetched and unreal. It was informative and enlightening, and the factual add on at the end added to the whole. We all really enjoyed the book and felt lucky to be living in N.Z. |
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By: TEAWA 005
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2023-05-22 12:25:30 |
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Not a book to 'enjoy'. Most felt the writing was light and the ending abrupt. |
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