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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
dark
sad
medium-paced
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Wow. This is a book that will make you feel guilty to read. To finish this book and realise that Masaji Ishikawa is still alive and still in the dark about his own family. It's unrefined, honest, and brutal writing style is perfect and truly harrowing. It's a fantastic introduction to North Korean history.
Too much suffering and yet the man lives. This was the book that made me rethink about everyone and everything. I feel blessed to have a roof over my head and food 3 times a day.
This quote broke my heart...
Nobody should ever go through what this man endured.
A big salute to him.
If you suffer long enough, it almost becomes funny, and you can find yourself laughing at the most miserable situations.
This quote broke my heart...
Nobody should ever go through what this man endured.
A big salute to him.
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual violence, Violence, Suicide attempt, Classism
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Never take what you have for granted.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
4.5/5
Absolutely heartbreaking read. The experiences him, his family and countless others shipped off to North Korea under the false pretence of a 'promised paradise' is truly horrifying and shocking. And despite all the tragedies Ishikawa had faced, from feeling lack of belongingness and shame to deaths of close loved ones and watching his family slowly wilt away from starvation, he'd managed to push through it all which really is admirable and something I could never do. He not only highlighted the dangers of an incompetent government can inflict on the citizens but he also showed the beauty of humans displayed through the little kindness and love in brutal and dark times. This memoir will a personal reminder to myself to be grateful and appreciative of the life I have been given and all the privileges, love and support that have been bestowed on. To continue to learn, speak up and speak louder about injustices. And most importantly remember that a little kindness does go a long way.
Absolutely heartbreaking read. The experiences him, his family and countless others shipped off to North Korea under the false pretence of a 'promised paradise' is truly horrifying and shocking. And despite all the tragedies Ishikawa had faced, from feeling lack of belongingness and shame to deaths of close loved ones and watching his family slowly wilt away from starvation, he'd managed to push through it all which really is admirable and something I could never do. He not only highlighted the dangers of an incompetent government can inflict on the citizens but he also showed the beauty of humans displayed through the little kindness and love in brutal and dark times. This memoir will a personal reminder to myself to be grateful and appreciative of the life I have been given and all the privileges, love and support that have been bestowed on. To continue to learn, speak up and speak louder about injustices. And most importantly remember that a little kindness does go a long way.