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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
The author’s journey is heartbreakingly tragic, filled with unimaginable suffering and resilience. He details devastating experiences and the inhumane living conditions he had to endure. His memoir gave me insight into the dark reality of living in North Korea. It also reshaped my perspective on life and what I often take for granted.
(I seen a lot of reviews saying that this book came off as whining or bias, which is a crazy thing to say about someone who was suffering from starvation along with everyone they know. Those reviews come from a place of privilege)
(I seen a lot of reviews saying that this book came off as whining or bias, which is a crazy thing to say about someone who was suffering from starvation along with everyone they know. Those reviews come from a place of privilege)
emotional
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
Intriguing and awful story about a man's life in N. Korea. I was interested in the depiction of how the country's government system functioned for its "lower class" citizens. Can't help but feel that the writing style lost a little flair during translation.
I know very little details about life in North Korea, just a general sense that it’s pretty bad there. I had heard vaguely about the famine in the mid-90s but again, very few details. This book was a punch in the gut, learning about the reality. It’s not bad. It’s evil.
I did some research after this book and learned roughly 600k to a million people starved to death (exact numbers not known). This book details the starving and the conditions and the dead bodies in the streets and the dying babies and the cruelty of the government.
What I’m left with is a whole mess of feelings on sanctions, humanitarian aid, and refugees.
I did some research after this book and learned roughly 600k to a million people starved to death (exact numbers not known). This book details the starving and the conditions and the dead bodies in the streets and the dying babies and the cruelty of the government.
What I’m left with is a whole mess of feelings on sanctions, humanitarian aid, and refugees.
Fascinating read that follows the author, a man of Japanese and Korean descent, who spent 30+ years in North Korea.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Masaji Ishikawa's A River in Darkness recounts his harrowing experiences in North Korea after his family's forced relocation from Japan. Born in Japan to a Korean father and Japanese mother, Ishikawa's perspective is uniquely informed by his early experiences of Japanese life before being thrust into the brutal reality of North Korea's totalitarian regime. This background provides a stark contrast that underscores the oppressive nature of his new reality. The narrative follows his struggles to survive amidst poverty, discrimination, and the oppressive political system, detailing the constant hunger, backbreaking labor, and ever-present fear.
The writing style is direct and unflinching, conveying these harsh realities with a stark simplicity that amplifies the emotional impact. The relentless pacing mirrors the constant hardships, exploring themes of survival, resilience, family bonds, and the devastating consequences of oppression. I wanted more detail in certain sections, as the narrative sometimes skipped over years, leaving gaps in the story. I was particularly interested in the impact of Ishikawa's unofficial working status on his family's survival. While effective, some additional context, such as more explicit mentions of events like the North Korean famine, could have enriched the narrative.
Overall, this is a powerful and important memoir, a compelling, albeit heartbreaking, read. Even escape offered little celebration, marked by the coldness of the Japanese government's reception and the painful disconnection from the family he left behind. The pervasive sadness underscores the enduring impact of trauma and oppression.
The writing style is direct and unflinching, conveying these harsh realities with a stark simplicity that amplifies the emotional impact. The relentless pacing mirrors the constant hardships, exploring themes of survival, resilience, family bonds, and the devastating consequences of oppression. I wanted more detail in certain sections, as the narrative sometimes skipped over years, leaving gaps in the story. I was particularly interested in the impact of Ishikawa's unofficial working status on his family's survival. While effective, some additional context, such as more explicit mentions of events like the North Korean famine, could have enriched the narrative.
Overall, this is a powerful and important memoir, a compelling, albeit heartbreaking, read. Even escape offered little celebration, marked by the coldness of the Japanese government's reception and the painful disconnection from the family he left behind. The pervasive sadness underscores the enduring impact of trauma and oppression.
Content Warnings
Minor: Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Grief, Cannibalism
This isn't an excellent piece of writing, but I don't think that's the point of this book. It's just a raw and truthful narrative about a man and his experiences. It's painful to read and the cruelties he faced are beyond my understanding.
Quite simply one of the best memoirs I have ever read. Both harrowing and gripping, the memoir explores humanity’s tenacity to survive under the harshest regimes and the price of freedom.
Ishikawa and Kobayashi paint such a visceral, detailed picture of life under the Kim Il-Sung regime, it was horrifyingly fascinating, I couldn’t stop reading.
Really recommend the audiobook, the narrator did a fantastic job and the prononciation of Japanese / Korean words made the experience feel even more immersive.
Ishikawa and Kobayashi paint such a visceral, detailed picture of life under the Kim Il-Sung regime, it was horrifyingly fascinating, I couldn’t stop reading.
Really recommend the audiobook, the narrator did a fantastic job and the prononciation of Japanese / Korean words made the experience feel even more immersive.
This was heartbreaking to read, but so good. It's so awful to think of all those poor people in North Korea living like that.
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced