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jenmangler's review against another edition
2.0
The story of Euna Lee's and Laura Ling's imprisonment in North Korea and the negotiations that led to their release is a very interesting one, but this book is not the one to tell it. Lee does convey her daily experiences well, but there wasn't as much about the culture or the behind-the-scenes details I was hoping for.
rarebird_15's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! This book was amazing and so inspiring! I have several health problems, and it can be so easy to get caught up in my own struggles, but when I read books like this, I am reminded of how blessed I really am. I cannot imagine what it must have been like to be imprisoned in North Korea. This book gives a glimpse of what it was like, but I know it was harder than readers will ever know. I love it and highly recommend it!
2catmom's review against another edition
3.0
interesting story-no written well. not much of her faith demonstrated. like the humanization of n. korea
ivassavi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
3.75
anothetbennet's review against another edition
5.0
I lost count the times my body physically shivered when I read certain parts of this book, so I cannot imagine what must have felt being imprisoned in North Korea for endless months.
I had already read Lisa’s (Euna’s work partner) side of the story but although I knew how everything turned out it still felt like the first time.
A heart wrenching testimonial filled with little beams of hopefulness and kindness that moved me and makes me believe in human kind.
val_halla's review against another edition
3.0
It is hard to fairly evaluate this book, because I read Laura and Lisa Ling's version first. While this is apparently an honest and heartfelt account of her captivity, Euna Lee's memoir just pales in comparison to her colleague's. There is not as much background information, not as much introspection, and none of the recounting of what it was like for her family back home. One of the most interesting parts of this ordeal was the way the journalists' families had to tiptoe around the subject of North Korea in bringing media attention to the kidnapping. Lee tries to inject personality by discussing her faith, but I personally couldn't relate to her religious views at all. Other people may love this memoir, though, so feel free to chalk the 3 stars up to personal preferences on my part.
rutnoboa's review against another edition
3.0
Euna Lee’s The World is Bigger Now provides her account of incarceration in North Korea after crossing the Chinese border with the Korean Peninsula, something considerably important when considering the rampant human rights violations under the state’s regime. However, Lee’s testimony is heavily focused on her particular experience and does not provide a comprehensive account of the circumstances that led to her release. Sadly, this was something I was looking forward to considering her experience as a journalist and the fact that I was reading the book with the objective of further understanding the modern consequences of the Cold War. Also, while interesting and honest, Lee’s writing is not particularly riveting.
athomewithbooks's review
3.0
The World is Bigger Now is Euna Lee’s recollection of her time spent imprisoned in North Korea, and the story of how she ended up there. Euna was working on a documentary that told the stories of escapees from North Korea, many of whom were in hiding in China (because China sends them back to North Korea if they are caught).
To me the most fascinating parts of this book were the stories of those refugees (which were a small section of the book). The author relates her experiences interviewing them, as well as their personal stories of escaping from North Korea and seeking refuge in China. It was interesting to get a closer look at what life is like for those trying to leave North Korea, and I will definitely be on the lookout for other good books on the topic.
Euna’s story was one that I already knew from watching all of the media coverage from when it happened. So, while it was nice to read about her experiences and what was going on in her head, there wasn’t a sense of urgency in the reading, because I knew the outcome already.
Euna spends a good amount of time detailing her mental state while in captivity and describing how her interrogator was excellent at using her testimony and that of Lisa Ling (the other reporter who was captured with her) against each other to elicit more information from both of them. Since she was held in solitary confinement (in a house/room with female guards who weren’t allowed to talk to her) much of her story is about her changing mental state from day to day, ranging from despair to hope. It is also filled with references to Euna Lee’s spiritual reflections on her experiences, and how her beliefs as a Christian helped her and strengthened her during the imprisonment.
I’m sure this inspirational story will appeal greatly to some, but for me it was just an okay read (and I think a lot of that had to do with already knowing what was going to happen). However, the stories of the North Korean refugees are important, and I was fascinated by that aspect of the story.
To me the most fascinating parts of this book were the stories of those refugees (which were a small section of the book). The author relates her experiences interviewing them, as well as their personal stories of escaping from North Korea and seeking refuge in China. It was interesting to get a closer look at what life is like for those trying to leave North Korea, and I will definitely be on the lookout for other good books on the topic.
Euna’s story was one that I already knew from watching all of the media coverage from when it happened. So, while it was nice to read about her experiences and what was going on in her head, there wasn’t a sense of urgency in the reading, because I knew the outcome already.
Euna spends a good amount of time detailing her mental state while in captivity and describing how her interrogator was excellent at using her testimony and that of Lisa Ling (the other reporter who was captured with her) against each other to elicit more information from both of them. Since she was held in solitary confinement (in a house/room with female guards who weren’t allowed to talk to her) much of her story is about her changing mental state from day to day, ranging from despair to hope. It is also filled with references to Euna Lee’s spiritual reflections on her experiences, and how her beliefs as a Christian helped her and strengthened her during the imprisonment.
I’m sure this inspirational story will appeal greatly to some, but for me it was just an okay read (and I think a lot of that had to do with already knowing what was going to happen). However, the stories of the North Korean refugees are important, and I was fascinated by that aspect of the story.
bmwpalmer's review
3.0
This is a good access point for finding out more information about North Korea if you don't know anything about the place or haven't read any other books about it. Otherwise, it's more of the same, but with an interesting captivity narrative overlay. I think what happened to Ms. Lee is truly frightening - getting dragged across the border from China into North Korea. It's a worst nightmare come true. I am so glad her story had a happy ending.
Also, not gonna lie, my favorite part was when she got home after finally being released and the first thing she did was deep-clean her entire house. Because that is totally what I would do. She says it was a symbolic process for her that helped her get out some of her feelings and I totally get that.
Also, not gonna lie, my favorite part was when she got home after finally being released and the first thing she did was deep-clean her entire house. Because that is totally what I would do. She says it was a symbolic process for her that helped her get out some of her feelings and I totally get that.
abookishaffair's review
4.0
I could not put this book down! In 2009, Euna Lee and Laura Ling were captured on the North Korean- Chinese border as they were working on a documentary about North Korean defectors. For the next several months, Euna and Laura are held in captivity while awaiting their fate in one of the most oppressive countries in the world. The book tells the story from Euna's point of view. She tells about how the thought of getting home to her husband and her beloved daughter carried her through some pretty dark times. Laura has apparently written a book as well that I'm anxious to read.