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sakisreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
✨ Thrifted ✨
I found this book difficult in a number of ways. Firstly, the fact that it was smuggled out of North Korea and made it internationally was dramatic (and when they were discussing how it was done, I was on the edge of my seat) 😫 Secondly, the way it was made into a short collection of stories made it slightly harder to get into each and every character and their perspectives. These are the reasons why I’m giving it a 3.5 out of 5 stars ✨
But all in all, imagine being able to write like this under a dictatorship! I am hopeful that whatever has become of Bandi, that they are okay 🥺 Thank you! ❤️
I found this book difficult in a number of ways. Firstly, the fact that it was smuggled out of North Korea and made it internationally was dramatic (and when they were discussing how it was done, I was on the edge of my seat) 😫 Secondly, the way it was made into a short collection of stories made it slightly harder to get into each and every character and their perspectives. These are the reasons why I’m giving it a 3.5 out of 5 stars ✨
But all in all, imagine being able to write like this under a dictatorship! I am hopeful that whatever has become of Bandi, that they are okay 🥺 Thank you! ❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, and Police brutality
thatothernigeriangirl's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
This book is so good and the stories are so sad — I felt worse knowing that the stories were based on several real-life instances that the author had witnessed.
Every story starts out fairly harmless until the author starts to drive home the horrible things the characters have to experience (because of a foolish system that pretends to be “for the people”, but actually caters to the narcissism of one family).
We may never know who Bandi is but I’m beyond grateful that he took the risk to send these stories out to us. Also, that the translation of these stories manages to capture the undeniable wit of Bandi’s writing warmed me up so much. I can only imagine how witty his writing was in Hangul.
Argh! Y’all read this book. I hope that the crack that Bandi (and the defectors who documented their experiences in writing) has made, will eventually save his people from the dictatorship they are living under.
Ps: the cover of this book refers to the “stage truth” that many North Koreans have to live with; they must laugh even while they suffer and their hearts threaten to burst from the injustice. That’s the only way to survive
Every story starts out fairly harmless until the author starts to drive home the horrible things the characters have to experience (because of a foolish system that pretends to be “for the people”, but actually caters to the narcissism of one family).
We may never know who Bandi is but I’m beyond grateful that he took the risk to send these stories out to us. Also, that the translation of these stories manages to capture the undeniable wit of Bandi’s writing warmed me up so much. I can only imagine how witty his writing was in Hangul.
Argh! Y’all read this book. I hope that the crack that Bandi (and the defectors who documented their experiences in writing) has made, will eventually save his people from the dictatorship they are living under.
Ps: the cover of this book refers to the “stage truth” that many North Koreans have to live with; they must laugh even while they suffer and their hearts threaten to burst from the injustice. That’s the only way to survive
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Classism, and Death
Moderate: Suicide
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