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anaffpereira's review against another edition
5.0
Impactful, important, and moving.
I had a little knowledge about North Korea’s oppressive regime, but through this autobiography I have learned new things (most of them terrible and hurtful). This book has touched me, and many passages will be forever in my memory.
The book depicts, of course, Park’s distressing quest for freedom, but it was so shocking learning that she didn’t even know the concept of freedom: “I wasn't dreaming of freedom when I escaped from North Korea. I didn't even know what it meant to be free. All I knew was that if my family stayed behind, we would probably die – from starvation, from disease, from the inhuman conditions of a prison labor camp. (…) I was willing to risk my life for the promise of a bowl of rice.”
These memories have been eye-opening for me, and even though this book made me cry and feel distressed, I will always remember this: “(…) I also know that the spark of human dignity is never completely extinguished, and that given the oxygen of freedom and the power of love, it can grow again.”
I had a little knowledge about North Korea’s oppressive regime, but through this autobiography I have learned new things (most of them terrible and hurtful). This book has touched me, and many passages will be forever in my memory.
The book depicts, of course, Park’s distressing quest for freedom, but it was so shocking learning that she didn’t even know the concept of freedom: “I wasn't dreaming of freedom when I escaped from North Korea. I didn't even know what it meant to be free. All I knew was that if my family stayed behind, we would probably die – from starvation, from disease, from the inhuman conditions of a prison labor camp. (…) I was willing to risk my life for the promise of a bowl of rice.”
These memories have been eye-opening for me, and even though this book made me cry and feel distressed, I will always remember this: “(…) I also know that the spark of human dignity is never completely extinguished, and that given the oxygen of freedom and the power of love, it can grow again.”
dreamerthinker's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
5.0
mariakatharjna's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
5.0
gracie_reads_everything's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
A very powerful and moving story about a North Korean defector turned human rights advocate.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Trafficking, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Police brutality, and Violence
Moderate: Chronic illness, Cancer, Rape, Slavery, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Medical trauma, Domestic abuse, Classism, Emotional abuse, and Sexism
Minor: Gore, Stalking, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Religious bigotry, Torture, Miscarriage, Infidelity, and Fire/Fire injury
Biography, autobiography, memoir, North Korea, human rights, powerfulexquisite_tragedy's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most beautiful and heart wrenching books I’ve ever read
alayna017's review against another edition
5.0
Wow!
Wow! This story is horrific and heartbreaking and amazing! I'm so astonished at the evil in this world and the resilience of humans to overcome it. I've been following Yeonmi Park on her podcast tour this fall, so I wanted to know her full story with all the details. This memoir is well worth your time, and Yeonmi Park is inspiring. Read this book!
Wow! This story is horrific and heartbreaking and amazing! I'm so astonished at the evil in this world and the resilience of humans to overcome it. I've been following Yeonmi Park on her podcast tour this fall, so I wanted to know her full story with all the details. This memoir is well worth your time, and Yeonmi Park is inspiring. Read this book!
marget's review against another edition
5.0
An astonishing young women, her story brought me to tears many times. Not just from the saddest of the situation but from the pure inspiration she is as well.