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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
The gut wrenchingly tragic life of a half Korean half Japanese man who endured long brutal years desperately poor in frighteningly insane North Korea, and who, despite escaping back to Japan, continues to live a tragic life unable to belong and unable to save what remains of his family. A tough read.
Astonishing
The strength of the author is phenomenal. I felt untwined with his emotions and perspective. This was a raw, powerful, beautiful story of family. The lengths and depths of love and despair. I was tearful and I was guilt ridden throughout this poignant journey. Definitely a must read.
The strength of the author is phenomenal. I felt untwined with his emotions and perspective. This was a raw, powerful, beautiful story of family. The lengths and depths of love and despair. I was tearful and I was guilt ridden throughout this poignant journey. Definitely a must read.
A life with no dreams, no hopes, no way out and lots and lots of cruelty.
Words can't even describe the mix of feelings that I have.
This was very tough to read and to digest. This is extremely heartbreaking, a life with no hope and no way out. A life where you are so scare from your thoughts and prohibited from thinking.
It's so raw and so brutal, and it's just so devastating that this disaster is still happening up till now.
The breeze of kindness that he got at the end, almost made me cry so hard. I was so touched and moved by the humanity of those people.
And I'm praying for him to be able to gather with his beloved ones one day.
This man deserves nothing but lots and lots of kindness.
I hope that the other chapter of his life will be full of joy, kindness and happiness. He did all what he can to survive and to protect his family.
This made me grateful and thankful for all what we have, cause what we take for granted others can't even dream of.
Words can't even describe the mix of feelings that I have.
This was very tough to read and to digest. This is extremely heartbreaking, a life with no hope and no way out. A life where you are so scare from your thoughts and prohibited from thinking.
It's so raw and so brutal, and it's just so devastating that this disaster is still happening up till now.
The breeze of kindness that he got at the end, almost made me cry so hard. I was so touched and moved by the humanity of those people.
And I'm praying for him to be able to gather with his beloved ones one day.
This man deserves nothing but lots and lots of kindness.
I hope that the other chapter of his life will be full of joy, kindness and happiness. He did all what he can to survive and to protect his family.
This made me grateful and thankful for all what we have, cause what we take for granted others can't even dream of.
Mr. Ishikawa's memoir is an important read for those who want to know about North Korea, the indoctrination process and the real story of what life is for ordinary citizens of NK.
Daily life is horrifyingly ugly for most citizens living in constant fear of the government. Their situation is more like slavery than a socialist country, which Ishikawa describes in detail. Without getting into political rhetoric he lays out what it takes for NK's to survive.
I would like to have seen more to this story, especially with his life after he escapes, but perhaps that's another book.
Daily life is horrifyingly ugly for most citizens living in constant fear of the government. Their situation is more like slavery than a socialist country, which Ishikawa describes in detail. Without getting into political rhetoric he lays out what it takes for NK's to survive.
I would like to have seen more to this story, especially with his life after he escapes, but perhaps that's another book.
Dark, haunting and terrifying to read. This memoir sheds a dull light on the souls in North Korea.
This book comes with a large warning, the experiences are exceedingly heavy - and it left my soul feeling hollow and weak.
This book comes with a large warning, the experiences are exceedingly heavy - and it left my soul feeling hollow and weak.
I still pray for a happy ending.
This memoir is easy to read and understand, making this difficult subject accessible. Ishikawa has had a life of suffering and still has hope for his family and the people of North Korea.
“Although I can’t see him myself, I still pray for a happy ending.” I will be empathetically alongside Ishikawa.
This memoir is easy to read and understand, making this difficult subject accessible. Ishikawa has had a life of suffering and still has hope for his family and the people of North Korea.
“Although I can’t see him myself, I still pray for a happy ending.” I will be empathetically alongside Ishikawa.
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Serfdom is freedom. Repression is liberation. A police state is a democratic republic. And we were “the masters of our destiny.” And if we begged to differ, we were dead.
What is it with me repeatedly picking up upsetting non-fiction book to read? This book is disturbing in its own way you would've thought this is a dystopian fiction. I went through so many emotions reading this - helplessness, despair, grief, you name it. I cannot imagine putting myself in his shoes. It is a powerful memoir and very educational in a lot of ways.
What is it with me repeatedly picking up upsetting non-fiction book to read? This book is disturbing in its own way you would've thought this is a dystopian fiction. I went through so many emotions reading this - helplessness, despair, grief, you name it. I cannot imagine putting myself in his shoes. It is a powerful memoir and very educational in a lot of ways.