Rated of 5
by Kelly P. (Monterey, TN) Mildly dissatisfied
I have mixed feelings about Your Republic is Calling You. The concept of the book is excellent, the primary plotline involving Ki-yong’s dilemma is unique, and the insights into the Korean culture (both North and South) alone are worth the read. The structure of the book though bounced constantly from character to character, with some of the characters being nonessential to the story, and this kept me from being able to immerse myself completely in the story. I do not regret the time spent with the book but I do not treasure it either.
Rated of 5
by Joe S. (Port Orange, FL) A Great Read,
This is a well written and interesting thriller. A sleeper agent receives the call he never thought was coming after 21 years and it effects his entire family. I enjoyed the book and was a little surprised by how much I didn't know about South Korea. I look forward to more by this author.
Rated of 5
by Vicky S. (Torrance, CA) The Choices We Make
The plot centers around a North Korean spy called home from South Korea, and his wife and daughter, but the story is really about what we think we know about people close to us and how this knowledge, or lack thereof, effects the choices we make in life. If you knew the man you were marrying was a spy would you still marry him?
What do you really know about those closest to you? What they think? What they do when you’re not with them? Intriguing questions. We’d probably be surprised by some of the answers.
Rated of 5
by Maria P. (Washington, DC) In the News
Amazingly enough this book has a parallel non-fiction story in the news. As we read about the current situation of the Russian spies returning home from here in the US we can also imagine what the author has constructed in this fictional account. The humanity of the characters is always evident and the differences between North and South Korea are made very clear, and currently we can see how the US handled a tricky situation and how it might have otherwise.
Rated of 5
by Neil W. (Tavares, FL) Any Day in a Life
This is a cleverly written and plotted book which takes place in a single day. The subject matter is timely, as it relates to espionage and agents living under deep cover in a foreign land. While some of the nuances are likely lost in translation, the plot builds steadily to a very exciting conclusion. The similarities and differences between the two prominent economic theories of our day are presented well. Somewhere along the line, the allegorical connections to all our lives are revealed. A little slow going in the middle, but worth reading to the very end. Do not start at the back of the book or peak at the ending!
Rated of 5
by Susan S. (Lafayette, CA) A glimpse of a world we rarely see
I loved this book. It has a mystery running through it – who has sent the ‘Order 4’ e-mail to the main character, Ki-Yong? - but more than that it is a fascinating look at life in South Korea and the changes that have taken place there over the last 20 years, as well as the views held by South Koreans and North Koreans about each other and the rest of the world, plus a close look at one unhappy Korean family. The writing style is very straightforward, and not ornate, but the overall effect of the book is haunting.
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of 5
by Kelly P. (Monterey, TN) 
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by Joe S. (Port Orange, FL) 
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by Neil W. (Tavares, FL) 
