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4.47 AVERAGE
4.47 AVERAGE
Super educational while still being super readable.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
It's pretty incredible to glimpse into such a reality. And when you consider, that it still exists in much the same state to this day - unbelievable. Makes you wonder about all the things we take for granted.
The personal histories of a few defectors from North Korea, with a look at most aspects of life (healthcare, education, living conditions, how to find food in a denuded landscape... jings). There is a little (simplified) modern Korean history thrown in and it is aimed at the general reader - not much sophisticated analysis (though the author is no doubt capable of it, as a correspondent for NK then, and China now), it comes across as rather Americo-centric (it's not necessarily a hardship to have a sleeping mat instead of a bed, particularly when your rudimentary heating is underfloor) and it does sentimentalise the stories of her 4 or 5 main figures.
But still - a devastating, fascinating, frightening and important book about the state of things in North Korea, particularly during the 1990s - published in 2009.
We can worry in 2012 that nothing much seems to have changed under Kim Jong-un and famine is looming, or actually happening, again (see here, and here for instance) - alarmingly the personal stories told on those links from 2011 and 2010 are just like those in the book, only 10 or 15 years later. And then there's imminent nuclear war with South Korea.
It all gives Eric Lafforgue's rather lovely pictures of made-up, Sunday-best Pyongyang rather a sinister air. He did go to Chongjin, where most of these stories are set, but wasn't allowed to film anything. He got a few grim clips from his hotel room: hard to believe this was 2010.
But still - a devastating, fascinating, frightening and important book about the state of things in North Korea, particularly during the 1990s - published in 2009.
We can worry in 2012 that nothing much seems to have changed under Kim Jong-un and famine is looming, or actually happening, again (see here, and here for instance) - alarmingly the personal stories told on those links from 2011 and 2010 are just like those in the book, only 10 or 15 years later. And then there's imminent nuclear war with South Korea.
It all gives Eric Lafforgue's rather lovely pictures of made-up, Sunday-best Pyongyang rather a sinister air. He did go to Chongjin, where most of these stories are set, but wasn't allowed to film anything. He got a few grim clips from his hotel room: hard to believe this was 2010.
Fascinating book about everyday life in North Korea. It is sad to read about what its citizens endured under Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-Il's dictatorships - and continue to endure after the latter leader's death. Highly recommended! Makes me want to read even more about the country.
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
informative
medium-paced
Although a little dated this book offers incredible (and terrifying) insight into life in North Korea. I loved how the author used the stories of those she interviewed as a guide to explain more broadly the constraints placed upon people in N Korea over the last century.
The end of the book ends on a vaguely hopeful note - this was in 2010. Knowing what we know now about Kim Jong Un it makes you wonder just how horrible it must be to live in N Korea by now!!
The end of the book ends on a vaguely hopeful note - this was in 2010. Knowing what we know now about Kim Jong Un it makes you wonder just how horrible it must be to live in N Korea by now!!
I can't remember the last time I gave a book five stars but here we are. I'd been thinking about North Korea and wondering what it was like there. I found this book and OMG! My wonders were answered. And guess what? Life there is pretty fucking terrible.
The author put so much work into this (unlike, say, so many YA books that are just sort of shit out and then thrown on a shelf) and did an amazing job. You never forget who is who (there are five main characters but many secondary characters). You get a glimpse into stuff happening beyond their lives--things with the ruling Kim family, policies, etc.
I'm happy that she got a book deal at all since there wasn't an inciting incident and every chapter didn't end on a cliffhanger. Rather, she wrote a book that actually informs and entertains the reader about a horrific regime. And you never lose hope that maybe, one day, things will get better there.
An absolute must read if you have any interest in North Korea.
The author put so much work into this (unlike, say, so many YA books that are just sort of shit out and then thrown on a shelf) and did an amazing job. You never forget who is who (there are five main characters but many secondary characters). You get a glimpse into stuff happening beyond their lives--things with the ruling Kim family, policies, etc.
I'm happy that she got a book deal at all since there wasn't an inciting incident and every chapter didn't end on a cliffhanger. Rather, she wrote a book that actually informs and entertains the reader about a horrific regime. And you never lose hope that maybe, one day, things will get better there.
An absolute must read if you have any interest in North Korea.