Reviews tagging 'Cancer'

In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom by Yeonmi Park

47 reviews

ainereads's review against another edition

dark emotional informative inspiring medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Violence, Trafficking, Suicidal thoughts, and Self harm

Minor: Terminal illness, Cancer, and Death of parent

shadereads's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Slavery, Suicide, Terminal illness, Trafficking, and Torture

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Medical content and Physical abuse

seedsofsunflowers's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

Yeonmi’s been through so many hardships, and her account of her life thus far is at once tragic and inspiring. Can’t recall if it is officially, but her story is sort of split into three portions - her childhood in North Korea, her time being trafficked and stuck in China, and her adjustment to South Korea when she finally escaped. Each of these sections feels a little different - the first is more matter-of-fact and emotionally detached (to be fair I can’t remember most of my childhood, so she probably relied a bit on family to piece some things together), the second is utterly depressing, and the third is more hopeful but makes you think about some issues we may take for granted today in “first-world” countries. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Eji Kim, and didn’t find the simplicity of the language at all an issue like I’m reading in some previous reviews. It’s well-written, and the kind of story that may not necessarily spell out hugely complex thoughts but does make you think upon your own assumptions.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, and Trafficking

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Death of parent, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Rape, and Violence

Minor: Cancer, Racism, Sexism, and Torture

ohlhauc's review against another edition

challenging dark hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

This book was a detailed retelling of the events in the author's life from her early childhood in North Korea, her escape to China and experience being trafficked as a sex slave, followed by her second escape to South Korea where she received an education and began to build a safe, hopeful life.

The story is very important as we need to understand more about the situations and social forces/governments that lead to such oppression and violence against human dignity. However, there wasn't much beyond a straightforward chronicle of events. I would have liked to see more commentary and extrapolation of the ideas beyond the author's experience. The writing was also fine; nothing stood out, either bad or good.

The topic was important but the execution was just okay. I'd recommend checking out other memoirs or books on the topic of North Koreans escaping their country if you want a broader or deeper understanding of the topics.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Trafficking

Moderate: Cancer

Minor: Death of parent and Kidnapping

phantasyia's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Confinement, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Police brutality, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Torture, Trafficking, and Violence

Moderate: Blood, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Police brutality

kissievendor's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative inspiring sad tense fast-paced

4.0

Wow... I had no idea things were this bad in north Korea. While people where on vacation in China and Seoul, this was going on.

I gave it 4 instead of 5 because I didn't like the writing per se. It could be because she wrote it herself in English, which she learned only recently. 

Also, I feel bad typing this, but it was written very matter of fact. She writes what happens and how she feels, but it felt sometimes still on the surface. And this was enforced by some things she wrote at the end.

Anyway, if you want to read more you should read it! It was brave of her to share her story. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Trafficking, and Cancer

Moderate: Physical abuse

linkamarisa's review against another edition

dark hopeful informative sad medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking, and Violence

Moderate: Blood, Cancer, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Medical content, and Sexual assault