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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
An important book that gives a real-life, honest look inside North Korea.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
A bleak and heartbreaking narrative of a never ending life of hardship and adversity. I hope he gets his happy ending.
This book blew my mind. Not only was it shocking how these people lived. But the fact that it was not something from 100 years ago. This is what's happening right now. And this book does not end all happy with a nice bow either. Definitely makes me count my blessings. And pray for those poor people.
Required Reading
This story is an absolute must read. To read Mr. Ishikawa's account was historically interesting, horrific, and inspiring all at once. I want to know more, where his family is, and how he manages to continue to oysh forward. I'll not soon forget this one.
This story is an absolute must read. To read Mr. Ishikawa's account was historically interesting, horrific, and inspiring all at once. I want to know more, where his family is, and how he manages to continue to oysh forward. I'll not soon forget this one.
A well written account of one man's life living under communist rule in North Korea. What I found especially interesting was that he was not born there, but his family was basically deceived to move from Japan to N.Korea under the illusion that it was the land of milk and honey, all their problems would be solved, and the government would take care of him. What it really turned out to be was 40 years of living in the poorest, most horrible conditions, and a life or death escape. A very interesting read.
"when you find yourself caught in a crazy system dreamed up by dangerous lunatics, you just do what you're told."
Absolutely mind-blowing and heart-breaking life that the author was forced to endure.
Absolutely mind-blowing and heart-breaking life that the author was forced to endure.
it's a good book but it is BLEAK. there is no happy ending here so prepare your heart to just feel sad.
What a crazy, heartbreaking story! Pretty quick read too. It makes me want to learn more about the history and context of what else was going on at that time.