A novel set in North Korea?

I thought that I was going to love it because I have a soft spot in my heart for oppressive regimes, hunger and forced labor. <em>Just kidding</em>.
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I thought I'd like the book because it kept showing up on lists. Book lists. Lists of books I should read. Lists of good books. Lists of notable books.<!--more-->

I reserved the book in October and I've been waiting for it since. I finally got it three weeks ago. it's a popular book.

The thing is, I didn't love this book and in fact, I struggled to finish it. I basically just made myself read the last 100 pages. I kept thinking it's going to get better. There's going to be some awesome twist. There's going to be something redeeming. Only, it never did get any better.

Here's the deal, I really liked the first half of the book. The pacing is quick, the writing is tight and the plot is unexpected.  it's the second half of the book that killed me.

I am sad to report that in the end I feel pretty <em>meh</em> about the book. Good thing I checked it out from the library instead of buying it.

I guess that this is it the way it works sometimes. Not everyone likes the same books. I just thought this was a book that I was going to like a lot so I feel especially let down.