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sandiet's review
1.0
What the North Korean regime does to their people in the "non-existent" labour camps defies understanding. I did not enjoy this book, it was a very difficult and at times horrific read. I already know the atrocities committed by man against man, it's all over the media EVERY day and I don't want it creeping in on my reading time. I only read this for bookclub...not light reading and despite the hardships faced by Shin Donghyuk (the person whose story this is) I didn't connect at all with his story. Could be that I resented reading this around the holidays...wasn't my cup of tea.
chelseatm's review
3.0
It was a really interesting read. I will say that. I think more so because I had never really paid attention to North Korea before. Something I'm ashamed of but something I think a good percentage of North Americans are guilty of. We've grown up in a world where North Korea has been like this and we haven't seen a lot of progress, protests, or calls for actions so it's natural that we wouldn't pay it much mind.
But after reading this book, that has changed for me. I don't understand that if these labour camps exist (just google Camp 14 and you can see satellite images) how our governments haven't done anything. I hope this book inspires a call to action. I know it has in me.
That being said, don't go in expecting an inspiring hero. He is not a Hollywood survivor, only operating for good, maintaining his love and empathy, surviving on hopes for a better world. No, he is human. A man affected by the cruelty and sociopath guards. He admits that empathy is hard for him and may never be within his grasp. It is a true account of a man's quest from the depths of hell and his transition into the real world.
It may not be warm and fuzzy but it will be real.
It is a quick read and I think just for the eye-opening experience, it should be required reading. If you do like the hero placed in awful situations, then I would recommend Unbroken by Laura Hildebrand.
But after reading this book, that has changed for me. I don't understand that if these labour camps exist (just google Camp 14 and you can see satellite images) how our governments haven't done anything. I hope this book inspires a call to action. I know it has in me.
That being said, don't go in expecting an inspiring hero. He is not a Hollywood survivor, only operating for good, maintaining his love and empathy, surviving on hopes for a better world. No, he is human. A man affected by the cruelty and sociopath guards. He admits that empathy is hard for him and may never be within his grasp. It is a true account of a man's quest from the depths of hell and his transition into the real world.
It may not be warm and fuzzy but it will be real.
It is a quick read and I think just for the eye-opening experience, it should be required reading. If you do like the hero placed in awful situations, then I would recommend Unbroken by Laura Hildebrand.
adventuresinfictionland's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
5.0
abaugher's review
5.0
heart-wrending, even though I have almost no frame of reference for this man's experiences.
csgiansante's review
4.0
I mean, I read this book from start to finish in one sitting, so it was definitely engaging