This story was a fascinating retelling of Adrian Hong's attempts to relocate North Korean refugees to safe places to start their lives over.

I have read several books written by former North Koreans but I hadn't read any about the people who were trying to help free them. Hong's history was a fascinating read. I found myself rooting for him throughout most of the book, despite knowing the end results of his last public mission. Hong was a compelling mix of boldness mixed with innocence and naivety. He truly believed in his cause but it seemed that his optimism had no basis in reality. If dreams could be willed into existence, he would have achieved them long ago.

It was hard for me to wrap my head around the idea that an ivy league graduate who could have achieved material success beyond his greatest imaginings could believe in North Korea's imminent demise. It was equally amazing that his charisma and beliefs inspired so many others to embrace his beliefs. I have to admit how angry I was to read about

Spoiler

how he roped his followers into following him without knowing his whole plan, jeopardizing their freedom and futures for potential extradition and jail time while he has disappeared into the ether and doesn't have to account for being the mastermind of the whole plan. I find that unforgivable.