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alexaamarok's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.0
creativerunnings's review
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
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 against another edition
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Sexism, Rape, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Police brutality, Murder, Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, Deportation, and Death
my_rse's review
dark
informative
sad
fast-paced
5.0
No matter what your thoughts are after reading it...everyone NEEDS to read this book because it's impossible not to takeaway something from it —whether that be becoming better informed on life in NK or just coming to appreciate the privileges we have in the Western world. I for one couldn't put it down.... and I have never appreciated a single grain of rice more than I have since reading this.
The endless struggles this woman has gone through, the sacrifices she's made, and the way she persevered through so much suffering at the hands of people in positions of power, middle men helping her to escape, and her own family are all things people need to read. Sure you see it on TV... the struggles of people in third world countries, children who are starving, endless wars - but reading this gives you a new perspective of the day to day life of those who are suffering. It makes you come to appreciate every gram of food we have access to and every product we buy to make our lives easier - not to mention it really teaches you what life is like in NK. To think that her children — especially Chul — are close to my age and have endured so much struggle has made me reflect on my own life and the things I take for granted.
Reading this has not only helped me to learn, but it has made me feel so immensely lucky to live the life I live in a way I never have felt before. It's stories like these that every privileged person NEEDS to read.
The endless struggles this woman has gone through, the sacrifices she's made, and the way she persevered through so much suffering at the hands of people in positions of power, middle men helping her to escape, and her own family are all things people need to read. Sure you see it on TV... the struggles of people in third world countries, children who are starving, endless wars - but reading this gives you a new perspective of the day to day life of those who are suffering. It makes you come to appreciate every gram of food we have access to and every product we buy to make our lives easier - not to mention it really teaches you what life is like in NK. To think that her children — especially Chul — are close to my age and have endured so much struggle has made me reflect on my own life and the things I take for granted.
Reading this has not only helped me to learn, but it has made me feel so immensely lucky to live the life I live in a way I never have felt before. It's stories like these that every privileged person NEEDS to read.