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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
After reading three duds in a row, I was determined to find a compelling audiobook to finish off 2019. As I listened to A Thousand Miles to Freedom: My Escape from North Korea, I kept comparing the ease and comfort of my life with Eunsun Kim's ordeal.
This is the second memoir I've read about the harrows of someone risking their life to break out of North Korea. The escapees in this book are all female, which provided a different perspective than the male escapee in [b:Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West|11797365|Escape from Camp 14 One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West|Blaine Harden|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347954566l/11797365._SY75_.jpg|16750147]. Both books impressively share the grueling journey the authors endured to flee the oppressive totalitarianism state.
The women in this book all suffer domestic abuse and interrogations, one of which includes an invasive strip search. None of these atrocious acts are described in disturbing detail, but Eunsun Kim does recall many of the slurs thrown at her, which are particularly nasty.
While this story describes all of the struggles, obstacles, and barriers that Eunsun Kim had to overcome, there's a solid balance with her life now with a particular emphasis on her gratitude for the education she worked so hard for.
While she does give context for what daily life was like surviving in North Korea, if you're looking for solid historical context about North Korea, I would suggest reading [b:Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West|11797365|Escape from Camp 14 One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West|Blaine Harden|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347954566l/11797365._SY75_.jpg|16750147] first.
This is the second memoir I've read about the harrows of someone risking their life to break out of North Korea. The escapees in this book are all female, which provided a different perspective than the male escapee in [b:Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West|11797365|Escape from Camp 14 One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West|Blaine Harden|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347954566l/11797365._SY75_.jpg|16750147]. Both books impressively share the grueling journey the authors endured to flee the oppressive totalitarianism state.
The women in this book all suffer domestic abuse and interrogations, one of which includes an invasive strip search. None of these atrocious acts are described in disturbing detail, but Eunsun Kim does recall many of the slurs thrown at her, which are particularly nasty.
While this story describes all of the struggles, obstacles, and barriers that Eunsun Kim had to overcome, there's a solid balance with her life now with a particular emphasis on her gratitude for the education she worked so hard for.
While she does give context for what daily life was like surviving in North Korea, if you're looking for solid historical context about North Korea, I would suggest reading [b:Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West|11797365|Escape from Camp 14 One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West|Blaine Harden|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347954566l/11797365._SY75_.jpg|16750147] first.
I feel guilty rating this book so low. Be assured that I'm only rating the writing and translation, not the story or horrific experience of escaping from North Korea. I love a well written memoir that helps me learn of and relate to, different human experiences. However, this book was very difficult to listen to. It was very repetitive and jumped around a lot. It struggled to capture the emotion of the situation and ends up coming across as whiny - as if the author is describing not getting her own way in something trivial.
While her journey was difficult and long I was hoping to be given more information about North Korea but it was everything I've already know.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
A memoir about the journey of a North Korean woman who escaped starvation via China. Well-told, was glad to listen to the audiobook and I wish the author the best of luck with her education and goals!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Police brutality, Trafficking, Death of parent, Deportation
Moderate: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Pregnancy
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Excrement
5 stars for the plight of this young woman and for writing this book. I think some of the phrasing may have been lost in translation. It’s not a compelling ‘read’ but not sloggish either. It’s easy to tune in for short drives. (Audio book review)
medium-paced
I've read several accounts of life in North Korea, and I've learned something from each of them. The thing I found most interesting about Eunsun Kim's account was her life in South Korea and her observations about how they view North Korea and people who manage to defect.
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
It was a good book, it made you think about the situation in North Korea. I usually don't read books like this, so it was a nice change.