Reviews - A River in Darkness: One Man's Escape from North Korea

A River in Darkness is a harrowing memoir by Masaji Ishikawa, a man born in Japan to a Korean father and a Japanese mother. In the 1960s, his family relocates to North Korea, drawn by false promises of a better life under the regime. What follows is a life of unimaginable hardship, starvation, and oppression. The book chronicles Ishikawa’s survival in the brutal North Korean regime and his daring escape to freedom after decades of suffering.

Basic Themes:

The book explores themes of survival, resilience, and the crushing effects of totalitarian regimes on individuals and families. It shines a light on the horrors of life under the North Korean dictatorship, as well as the lies and propaganda that trap people in inhumane conditions. The theme of identity and belonging also plays a role, as Ishikawa struggles with his mixed heritage and his family's decision to move to North Korea.

Judgement of Writing Style:

The writing style is stark and unembellished, fitting the grim reality of the subject matter. Ishikawa’s prose is simple and direct, which allows the horrifying truth of his experiences to shine through without unnecessary literary flourishes. The straightforward narrative style makes the book easy to follow but emotionally intense. While not poetic, the writing effectively conveys the pain, desperation, and tiny moments of hope that Ishikawa experiences.

Who Should Read the Book:

This book is essential for anyone interested in North Korea, human rights, or survival stories. It offers a firsthand account of life under one of the most secretive and oppressive regimes in the world, making it a crucial read for those who want to understand the human cost of dictatorship. Fans of memoirs and stories of personal resilience in the face of overwhelming odds will also find this book compelling.

How It Made Me Feel:

A River in Darkness left me feeling deeply moved and outraged by the suffering endured by people under the North Korean regime. The book evoked a sense of helplessness as I read about Ishikawa’s experiences, but also admiration for his strength in the face of such despair. The emotional weight of the memoir lingered long after I finished reading, making me reflect on how fortunate I am to live in freedom and what others endure in the world.

Summary of What Happened (No Spoilers):

Masaji Ishikawa’s family is lured to North Korea from Japan with promises of a better life. Instead, they find themselves trapped in a brutal dictatorship, where starvation, fear, and relentless oppression are everyday realities. Over the years, Ishikawa struggles to survive, watching as his family suffers alongside him. As conditions worsen, he realizes that his only hope for survival is to escape, leading to a dangerous and heartbreaking journey.

Loved or Hated & Why:

I loved the book for its raw honesty and its unflinching portrayal of the horrors of life in North Korea. Ishikawa doesn’t shy away from describing the suffering, both physical and emotional, that he and his family endured. It’s a difficult read due to the heavy subject matter, but it’s also a powerful and necessary one. The courage of Ishikawa and others in similar situations is inspiring, even as the story highlights the darkest aspects of human existence.

How Well the Book Achieved Its Goal:

The book achieves its goal of shedding light on the grim reality of life in North Korea. It offers a rare and personal perspective on a regime that is often hidden from the outside world, giving readers a clearer understanding of the suffering that occurs within its borders. Ishikawa’s story is both informative and deeply emotional, and it effectively communicates the urgency of human rights issues in North Korea.

Recommend or Not and Why:

I highly recommend A River in Darkness for its powerful storytelling and its importance in raising awareness about the atrocities occurring in North Korea. The book is not only a compelling memoir but also an essential human rights narrative. It’s not an easy read due to the subject matter, but it’s one that will stay with you and broaden your understanding of the world.

Describe My Favorite Character:

My favorite character is Masaji Ishikawa himself. His resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Despite the overwhelming sense of hopelessness, he never fully gives up, fighting to survive not only for himself but for his family. His character represents the strength of the human spirit, even in the bleakest of circumstances.

meaganb914's review against another edition

3.75

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Content Warnings

magyklyxdelish's review against another edition

4.0

This was one of the hardest books I’ve read simply because you can feel the hopelessness. Starting from a young age, he experiences one ordeal after another. Truly heartbreaking.

This book puts many things into perspective. Not just in the little things we take for granted but everything, even our government.

I don’t think this is a book I would ever want to read again. It’s a heartbreaking story and it’s awful he never got his happy ending.

4/5⭐️

k_lenn's review against another edition

3.0

A stunningly sad memoir about the horrors of North Korea and surviving through the country’s worst famine in the ‘90s. I really feel for Masaji Ishikawa- who is now in his 70s- and I hope he’s found peace. More than that, though - I hope his children and siblings are safe.

I wasn’t a huge fan of the writing; though, to be fair, this memoir was translated and may have sounded better in Ishikawa’s mother tongue.

bloomingmightybooks's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark emotional inspiring sad tense fast-paced

atalia's review against another edition

emotional informative sad tense fast-paced

sunshine_lorena's review against another edition

informative inspiring fast-paced

More...