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North Korea Journal

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North Korea Journal

By: Michael Palin
Narrated by: Michael Palin
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

THE BOOK BEHIND THE HIT CHANNEL 5 DOCUMENTARY


A glimpse of life inside the world’s most secretive country, as told by Britain’s best-loved travel writer.

In May 2018, former Monty Python stalwart and intrepid globetrotter Michael Palin spent two weeks in the notoriously secretive Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, a cut-off land without internet or phone signal, where the countryside has barely moved beyond a centuries-old peasant economy but where the cities have gleaming skyscrapers and luxurious underground train stations. His resulting documentary for Channel 5 was widely acclaimed.

Now he shares his day-by-day diary of his visit, in which he describes not only what he saw – and his fleeting views of what the authorities didn’t want him to see – but recounts the conversations he had with the country’s inhabitants, talks candidly about his encounters with officialdom, and records his musings about a land wholly unlike any other he has ever visited – one that inspires fascination and fear in equal measure.

Written with Palin’s trademark warmth and wit, and illustrated with beautiful colour photographs throughout, the journal offers a rare insight into the North Korea behind the headlines.

©2019 Michael Palin (P)2019 Penguin Audio
Asia Cultural & Regional Thought-Provoking
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What listeners say about North Korea Journal

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A wonderful insight into DPRK

Another fantastic travel journey. Michael really knows how to stimulate the mind into perfect imagery.
Thank you.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great audiobook

If you enjoyed the documentary I think you will enjoy this too. Great performance by Michael and will definitely be looking at his other audiobooks

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A glimpse into North Korean life

Wonderfully read by Mr Palin. I enjoyed the TV show and this just added to that.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Eye opening

So much more detail than the documentary and shows much more of Korean life and insights that cannot be filmed. Michael Palin as magical as ever.

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Pleasant easy listening

Lovely narration by that warm familiar voice. The story doesn't tell us much that wasn't well known, but the emphasis on common humanity between peoples cannot be faulted.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Interesting

Interesting tale of his time in North Korea, afraid the openness of his other trips was missing too much for me to fully enjoy it.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Brilliant & really interesting!

I always enjoy Palin, a nice guy & holds you all the way!

I would recommend this book if you have an interest in North Korea

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Enjoyable but too short!

I enjoy Michael Palin's travel series and this one was up to the high standards. The only problem it's not long at just over 3 hours. I wanted more! Wish he could of spent more time in North Korea!

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Excellent

If your a fan of his travel writing, then you won’t be disappointed here, enjoyed finding out about this country. From Michael’s view point.

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Good but lacking

While interesting, this account, as you might expect, failed to reveal any real insight into the real daily lives and goings on of the North Korean people. I still enjoyed it, Michael Palin has a good manner in which he delivers the story and his observations along the way were nice. But I just hoped for more. 4/5

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