by Adam Johnson
First published 2012
Orphan Pak Jun Do grows up in a work camp, learning to survive by his wits. Recognized for his talent, he's recruited as a professional kidnapper by the state. As Jun Do navigates the treacherous world of North Korean espionage, he seizes a chance at love with the famous actress Sun Moon. But their forbidden romance puts them on a collision course with the regime's ruthless leader, Kim Jong Il. Can Jun Do save the woman he loves and escape the cruel confines of the "greatest nation in the world"?
Genres: literary-fiction, historical-fiction, espionage, political-thriller
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fish-out-of-water
Setting: North Korea, Pyongyang
Period: 1994-2011
416 pages · Paperback · Random House
Content warnings: violence