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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
medium-paced
I have decided not to rate this book due to its sensitive nature.
medium-paced
Growing up in Japan, the author's korean family gets duped into believing all the South Korean propaganda about returning to the homeland, and he finds himself leaving his well-off life behind in exchange for something much more grim. The family attempts to make do as best they can following this poor decision, but the family ends up getting thrown into a re-education camp for ten years. The bulk of the book takes place here, where the author describes the horrific conditions, punishments, and daily life they endured for those ten years.
I thought this book's perspective was unique and interesting, as this was the first book I've read which describes the inside of these re-education camps. For obvious reasons, once you're released (as this author was), you're discouraged from talking about your time there. But I also thought the writing felt flat, unemotional, and distant, which may be a product of the author's experiences. I just didn't feel as drawn in or as emotional as I've felt reading other books on this subject. I thought [b:Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea|40604846|Nothing to Envy Ordinary Lives in North Korea|Barbara Demick|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529606621l/40604846._SY75_.jpg|6358552] and [b:In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom|24611623|In Order to Live A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom|Yeonmi Park|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1437799970l/24611623._SY75_.jpg|44749881] were both better reads, both in terms of depiction and in terms of writing style.
I don't think I'd recommend this book to someone new to the topic of North Korea, but it's a nice, new look at something that isn't depicted very often in other books for people who are familiar with the topic.
I thought this book's perspective was unique and interesting, as this was the first book I've read which describes the inside of these re-education camps. For obvious reasons, once you're released (as this author was), you're discouraged from talking about your time there. But I also thought the writing felt flat, unemotional, and distant, which may be a product of the author's experiences. I just didn't feel as drawn in or as emotional as I've felt reading other books on this subject. I thought [b:Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea|40604846|Nothing to Envy Ordinary Lives in North Korea|Barbara Demick|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529606621l/40604846._SY75_.jpg|6358552] and [b:In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom|24611623|In Order to Live A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom|Yeonmi Park|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1437799970l/24611623._SY75_.jpg|44749881] were both better reads, both in terms of depiction and in terms of writing style.
I don't think I'd recommend this book to someone new to the topic of North Korea, but it's a nice, new look at something that isn't depicted very often in other books for people who are familiar with the topic.
I find stories about North Korea fascinating and I feel bad only giving this 2 stars considering the overall subject matter. However, I found myself wanting to skim through quite a few parts of this book. I'm not sure if it was the writing style or the level of detail. Anyway, I feel guilty, but I would not recommend this book.
Touching story about a boy who grows up in a prison camp. My one complaint is using the term "gulag" which is the acronym for the Soviet system of camps, not the name of camps.
A thoroughly documented book about one man’s time in Camp 15 of the North Korean gulag. He is passionate, and shares a lot of details.
While the writing was sometimes flowery, the story was horrific and compelling. It should be on a list of books people have to read before taking “a holiday” in North Korea to truly understand the going ons behind the performance.
While the writing was sometimes flowery, the story was horrific and compelling. It should be on a list of books people have to read before taking “a holiday” in North Korea to truly understand the going ons behind the performance.