All Woman and Springtime

“One of the most absorbing, chilling, beautifully written, and important novels I’ve read in many years.” —Alice Walker

“The North Korean government exploits its citizens completely and absolutely, and Brandon W. Jones has taken this as a starting point for a first novel that seems more like the polished work of an experienced novelist…Jones’ writing provides a sense of urgency—we want these women to leave, to risk everything in trying to escape their country and find a new life…His effort proves up to the challenge of vividly depicting the harsh, terrible circumstances and also believably gives hope that the individualist spark can sometimes carry us through to better things.” —Minneapolis Star-Tribune

“Lifting the veil on a little-known country, Brandon W. Jones’s debut novel, All Woman and Springtime, tells the story of two North Korean teenagers escaping the authoritarian state and battling the modern-day slave trade.” —National Geographic Traveler

“An eye-opening journey to the dark side of desire.” —Vogue.com

“A compelling psychological tour of life inside the socially and politically restrictive borders of North Korea via the poignant stories of two young girls on the cusp of womanhood…This tale of female friendship is distinguished by its illuminating glimpse into the arcane intricacies of both an ancient and a modern culture. Guaranteed to appeal to fans of Memoirs of a Geisha and the novels of Lisa See.” —Booklist

“[A] terrifying and masterfully realized debut…One of its most impressive achievements is the rendering of main character Gi, who is brought powerfully and beautifully to life…Jones depicts both the innocence of his protagonist and the pathologies and violence of the South Korean underworld with great skill and emotional power…Impossible to put down, this work is important reading for anyone who cares about the power of literature to engage the world and speak its often frightening truths.” —Library Journal