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sunflowerjess's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
5.0
I marked this book as one of my "favorites" because this is one of the most important nonfiction book I've ever read. It was not easy to read; it was full of pain, heartache, starvation, and loss. I thank the author for her bravery and openness in sharing her story, and I encourage everyone to read this to see a stark picture of the lives of people in North Korea.
justicepirate's review against another edition
3.0
The middle of this book was the most riveting and really made me feel deep emotion, while the way her story was written around the beginning and end didn't really tell it that would captivate me more. It was a really sad story about a young girl growing up in the country she had loved, but several times going back and forth into China and back into North Korea. These parts included labor trafficking and sex trafficking issues. It was sad and the part that was best told. Also her first marriage and story surrounding it really held my attention a lot. It was a good book, important story to learn from, but definitely not a favorite in regards to books about those who have defected from North Korea.
mermaidintherain's review against another edition
5.0
This book had me in awe and simultaneously in terror and heartbreak over the way humans have been and are still being treated. This woman and her bravery are inspiring. A must read if you need some perspective and a reason (or a few) to be thankful to live where (and how) we do.
sleightoffeet's review against another edition
4.0
I have read many, many books about escapes from North Korea, and I'm still fascinated by the country, and devastated by all the suffering that goes on there, and the almost impossibility of escape.
This book tells the story so eloquently, not just of the hardships, but the disillusionment that happened from childhood optimism, to the famine and on to the point where there was only one choice left, and that was to risk everything and leave everyone.
The only complaint I had was I wanted the story after, of getting to South Korea and Canada, and the adjustment to a more western way of life and the difficulties that entailed as well. It just ended abruptly, escape and then "the end". Otherwise, though, this was an amazing story, and one I'd definitely reccomend if you're interested in the subject.
This book tells the story so eloquently, not just of the hardships, but the disillusionment that happened from childhood optimism, to the famine and on to the point where there was only one choice left, and that was to risk everything and leave everyone.
The only complaint I had was I wanted the story after, of getting to South Korea and Canada, and the adjustment to a more western way of life and the difficulties that entailed as well. It just ended abruptly, escape and then "the end". Otherwise, though, this was an amazing story, and one I'd definitely reccomend if you're interested in the subject.
skzats_we's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
krispet's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.75
altlovesbooks's review against another edition
3.0
This was a sad story about growing up in North Korea, about family loss, and about moving on through grief. Weirdly, this was less about North Korea and more about her and the family she kept returning to. With the exception of the parts in prison, this felt like a story I've read before. While sad, ultimately the book didn't feel particularly unique, especially when compared with other memoirs from North Korea I've read.
Even despite the things she went through, even at the end of the book it didn't sound like she really wanted to leave North Korea either, especially not to South Korea. I guess that's a testament to the brainwashing and gaslighting around her, but it's hard to feel empathy for her when she herself doesn't want to leave.
While still a sad story and absolutely not downplaying the experience she had, I just had a hard time really getting interested in this particular North Korean memoir.
Even despite the things she went through, even at the end of the book it didn't sound like she really wanted to leave North Korea either, especially not to South Korea. I guess that's a testament to the brainwashing and gaslighting around her, but it's hard to feel empathy for her when she herself doesn't want to leave.
While still a sad story and absolutely not downplaying the experience she had, I just had a hard time really getting interested in this particular North Korean memoir.