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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
challenging
sad
Masaji Ishikawa had a harrowing life. In 1960, when he was 12, his Korean father, illuded by the North Korean propaganda, forcibly brought him, his two baby sisters and his mother to live in the allegedly "glorious Republic of North Korea." This powerful memoir is told in fluid prose and compelling storytelling and I strongly recommend it.
This book chronicles Ishikawa's life during his almost 40 years living under hellish human conditions and how he eventually escaped back to Japan.
I learned immensely from this book and cannot imagine how difficult it must have been to put all those long years of suffering on paper. Nevertheless, there is no melodrama or heavy-handed politics. This book is a deeply personal account of his life and his family.
A must-read if you are interested in learning how North Korean society operated, and probably still does, under the communist dictatorship.
This book chronicles Ishikawa's life during his almost 40 years living under hellish human conditions and how he eventually escaped back to Japan.
I learned immensely from this book and cannot imagine how difficult it must have been to put all those long years of suffering on paper. Nevertheless, there is no melodrama or heavy-handed politics. This book is a deeply personal account of his life and his family.
A must-read if you are interested in learning how North Korean society operated, and probably still does, under the communist dictatorship.
Best book I've read this year!
Read this book and then tell everyone you know to read it.
As someone who reads science fiction dystopian novels like a madman, I found myself having a hard time remembering this was a true story and not just another dystopian novel. This man went through hell and I'm so thankful he lived to write this story.
Read this book to educate yourself, and tell others to read it so they can also be educated.
Read this book and then tell everyone you know to read it.
As someone who reads science fiction dystopian novels like a madman, I found myself having a hard time remembering this was a true story and not just another dystopian novel. This man went through hell and I'm so thankful he lived to write this story.
Read this book to educate yourself, and tell others to read it so they can also be educated.
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
dark
informative
fast-paced
This was heartbreaking. This man endured so much. An important story to read.
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
I learned a lot about a particular sect of people in North Korea, that being Japanese citizens who emigrated there in the 1960s. This story is raw and discusses the very horrible living conditions in detail like you've probably never considered. This is more a story about living under the Dear Leader's regime than the escape itself. Truly makes you thankful and sad to know this is probably still going on today three dictators later.
I learned so much from this book! I always knew things were rough in North Korea but I had never heard personal accounts. This book was very enlightening on something going on in our world today.
Highly recommend for all people to read whether you enjoy historical books or not. I think it's important for us to know about the rest of the world. This book will definitely open up your eyes!
Highly recommend for all people to read whether you enjoy historical books or not. I think it's important for us to know about the rest of the world. This book will definitely open up your eyes!
Raw survival
Mr. Ishikawa grips you from the beginning with heartbreaking memories of living in a home where domestic violence is the norm. As he reaches his teen years his world is torn asunder when his father takes them to North Korea. The fight to survive in a country that doesn't want you, has just begun. This book is not for the weak-of-heart.
Mr. Ishikawa grips you from the beginning with heartbreaking memories of living in a home where domestic violence is the norm. As he reaches his teen years his world is torn asunder when his father takes them to North Korea. The fight to survive in a country that doesn't want you, has just begun. This book is not for the weak-of-heart.
eye-opening and riveting, but ultimately so heartbreaking