Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Kim Jong Il (Sometimes referred to by his hip-hop pseudonym, "Ill Kim Jong") proves once again that he has his fingers on the pulse of the art community with what is widely considered the seminal work in the crowded Dictatorship-Opera genre. This book covers the genesis of many of Kim's most famous operatic pieces, including "Kim Jong Il Superstar", "The Great Leader and the Amazing Technicolor Torture Chamber of Oppression", "Die Folterkneht", and his most popular work, "1984! On Ice!". It also contains many autobiographical notes and anecdotes of his experiences during his rise to international opera super-stardom in the early 1970's. I particularly enjoyed the stories about a young Kim performing the contralto parts of La Boheme with his mentor, noted Russian baritone Joe Stalin. Some of the behind-the-scenes exposition into the technical elements required to learn and perform such a part to perfection were incredible to read. Given the context of those elements, it's clear to see why Kim made the decision to sing as a castrati throughout the remainder of his career. The full color photos of the famous Pyongyang Opera House (designed by the Dear Leader himself) were an inspiration to me as I missed the official "Great Leader Presents: A Night of Opera and Polka to Usher In a New Millenium of Continued North Korean Domination and Prosperity" concert in December of 1999 due to some minor entrance visa issues on my part... A fact I keenly regret to this day. I recommend this book unreservedly to anyone who is a fan of the arts, despotism, or state-sanctioned starvation, or, ideally, anyone who is a fan of all three.