Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom by Yeonmi Park

6 reviews

averagemugglereader's review against another edition

I was really enjoying this book, but unfortunately half way through I did some digging and found that the author is not 100% trust worthy. She’s been “caught” lying about several things in the book. I say “caught” because some people take it as she is definitely lying and others see it as her not wanting to relive certain trauma’s so she didn’t divulge everything at first and that why her story has slightly changed. But because of all that,  I just don’t feel right finishing the book. Maybe I’ll get back to him some day in the future. But for now I’m going to research a few other NK defectors.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Kidnapping, Sexual violence, Trafficking, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, and Sexual content

laedyred's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring sad fast-paced

4.0

Many of us are aware of the horrors of North Korea, but this memoir also describes the challenges faced after leaving the country. The horrors escapees endure are hard to read. In my situation, this book did not change my life, but it was educational and inspiring. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Kidnapping, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Violence, Rape, Sexual violence, Trafficking, Physical abuse, and Infidelity

zoegrace's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

I cannot read this book enough times. There is so much substance and power in Yeonmi’s writing and storytelling.  II am so grateful to have read about Yeonmi’s  life and escape from North Korea. 

The narration is steady, clear and easy to understand. I find her voice so soothing which makes the challenging parts of the memoir easier to read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Medical trauma, Medical content, Death of parent, Child abuse, Trafficking, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Deportation, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual violence

graff_fuller's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.25

Do we ever really know why we pick up a book...and start reading it? Was it the cover? Was it the topic? Or could it be that we desire to know the story being told is going to TOUCH us...change the way we feel about [whatever the subject is]. 

I love biographies, but autobiographies are even better. "Straight from the horse's mouth", as they say.

The traumatic escape of Yeon-mi Park from N. Korea, to China, to Mongolia, to S. Korea, onward...to where she now lives in America.

The peak behind the curtain of what is actually going on in N. Korea is amazing (in a bad way). Also, to read about the propaganda machine that is at work in N. Korea...for 70+ years, so that not even S. Koreans know HOW different these two cultures are now.

To hear about empathy and love being devoid in the average N. Korean. Seeing public executions and dead people in the streets...as normal events. Being sold into slavery and prostitution, just to survive and escape...for slavery and prostitution are one thing, but HUNGER is worse. Anything, just to eat food.

None of us in the US can understand these things, which I'm glad for, but we need to educate ourselves. We do not agree with the leadership of N. Korea, but the people of N. Korea are enslaved, themselves to this dynasty and deserve our pity. The need to help other escape this hell hole...as Yeon-mi says, it is the DARKEST place on the earth. If you look at satellite photos of the area...there are very few lights, compared to the bordering countries...it looks like a black hole swallowed the entire country. Shortages of electricity, food, are necessities normal...and this is how the leadership keeps the people in check.

You really have to read it in her own words. She escaped when she was 13, but it wasn't until years later that she truly had freedom from the oppression that ALL people of N. Korea accept as NORMAL.

Share this story to your friends and family. It is a VERY sad tale, but she's come out of it, scars and all...and is trying to shine a light on N. Korea...so the world will come to its (the enslaved people who live in this country, under THIS regime) rescue.

I'm so happy that I picked this book up and read her story. There will be images that I won't be able to get out of my head, but maybe this will help people to help these downtrodden people.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Death, Trafficking, Bullying, Confinement, Death of parent, Deportation, Murder, Physical abuse, and Police brutality

clevelandbookgirl's review against another edition

informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

Synopsis: Yeonmi Park was born in North Korea. She spent most of her childhood trying to survive the atrocities of the country. One day, Yeonmi's mother decides the family must escape, in order to live. What awaits them during their escape is equally as terrible as the things that happened in North Korea. This true story displays courage, survival, and resiliency. 

I'm so happy I checked out this audiobook from Libby. Yeonmi Park gives insight to what life was like for her in North Korea. 

This story was very hard to listen to. It was tragic, but Yeonmi and her family did what they had to in order to survive, no matter the cost. I will list content warning at the end of this post, because a lot of what Yeonmi and her family survived was extremely brutal.

If you are looking for a memoir for Women's Month this March I would strongly suggest picking up this book. I think this book should be read in political science and sociology classes to showcase politics, survival, and people's ways of thinking. If you're looking for a non-fiction book that will shake you to the core, read In Order to Live.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia, Domestic abuse, Rape, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Abortion, Sexual harassment, and Sexual content

Moderate: Cancer and Gore

mxpringle's review against another edition

challenging dark hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Death, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Vomit, Murder, Torture, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Confinement, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Misogyny, Police brutality, Self harm, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Child death, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Abortion, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Cancer, Death of parent, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual harassment, Stalking, War, and Xenophobia