elliemarshall19's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad medium-paced
Did not want to rate this book as it didn’t feel right. I would highly recommended reading.

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horizonous's review against another edition

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challenging dark medium-paced

3.5


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ivassavi's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

3.5

(2021 Book#13)
3.5-3.75⭐️

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empusa's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad slow-paced

5.0


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fuzz's review against another edition

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challenging emotional slow-paced

4.5

I was introduced to this book by one of our followers on IG. I read up on the summary and instantly bought the audiobook. In this open and uncensored account, Yeonmi Park shares horrific experiences that no child should have to go through. In the years that most teenagers in the western world are going to school, hanging out with friends and going shopping, Park was sold as a wife to a man way older than her. I was taken on rollercoaster ride where at each peak you hope for Park's freedom, but then learn of the misfortune she receives. But as you're reading this, you're also joining Park on a journey of self-realisation and learning about the real world. I'll be honest, this was not an easy read for me. The horrors of North Korea and the life of a defector is a heavy subject. But at no point did I want to DNF this. I completed the book in parts over two weeks and I'm glad I had the opportunity to listen to/read it. 

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pawiwowi's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.5


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shadereads's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

4.5


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seedsofsunflowers's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

Yeonmi’s been through so many hardships, and her account of her life thus far is at once tragic and inspiring. Can’t recall if it is officially, but her story is sort of split into three portions - her childhood in North Korea, her time being trafficked and stuck in China, and her adjustment to South Korea when she finally escaped. Each of these sections feels a little different - the first is more matter-of-fact and emotionally detached (to be fair I can’t remember most of my childhood, so she probably relied a bit on family to piece some things together), the second is utterly depressing, and the third is more hopeful but makes you think about some issues we may take for granted today in “first-world” countries. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Eji Kim, and didn’t find the simplicity of the language at all an issue like I’m reading in some previous reviews. It’s well-written, and the kind of story that may not necessarily spell out hugely complex thoughts but does make you think upon your own assumptions.

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phantasyia's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.5


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samireads's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad fast-paced

5.0


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