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snarkycrafter's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
3.5
owenatkinson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
tense
fast-paced
2.5
I felt the story was cut short in places. It's an invaluable resource on life in North Korea, but there are parts of the story I would like to have learnt more about. Overall, a little curt. I'm still glad I read it, and it was very gripping, but I can't say I loved it
alexaamarok's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.0
creativerunnings's review against another edition
5.0
I'm always very captivated when it comes to accounts from North Korea. This memoir was no different. At first, I didn't particularly enjoy the interweaving of the translator's South Korean story - on first glance it seemed to be so much less "harrowing", which made me feel like it didn't belong. However, I thought about it more, and the trauma of the Korean separation doesn't just affect the North. And with that, I came to appreciate the South Korean commentary and perspective, also because most often, that kind of thing seems to be suppressed.
frankiloves's review against another edition
5.0
i think that everyone should give this book a read. it’s heartbreaking & full of hard truths from NK. I genuinely am so glad I read this when i did, and give a glimmer of hope to all who are going through a tough time. Truly the power of resilience!
ivassavi's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
madameroyale's review against another edition
4.5
Quite enjoyed this memoir; it offered a different class perspective from most defector memoirs I’ve read. The only drawback were the insertions of the ghostwriter’s perspective in contemporary London; they distracted from the main narrative in North Korea and didn’t offer any information that wasn’t already obvious. Thankfully, there were only a couple of them.
donellareads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Sexism, Rape, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Police brutality, Murder, Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, Deportation, and Death