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4.47 AVERAGE
4.47 AVERAGE
Apart from being a deeply touching story, it gave me more food for thought than I had imagined when I got the book. I considered myself well-educated on the hardships North Koreans face, but apparently, I still have a lot to learn, especially regarding the role of China. Everyone who is even vaguely interested in human rights has to read this
It is impossible to read this book and not feel deep pain for the North Korean people. This book eats away at the very things that make us human. Watching her transformation from simply wanting to not be starving to coming to understand concepts like love, inspiration, and freedom is staggering.
I'm eager to see how this book stacks up against the other defectors' books I have on my list. I suspect I'll end up feeling like it's unfair to compare them and that each story is important.
I'm eager to see how this book stacks up against the other defectors' books I have on my list. I suspect I'll end up feeling like it's unfair to compare them and that each story is important.
I have no words... I'm grateful to Yeonmi Park for sharing her story. I will strive to do more good in this world. You make me want to learn and read even more. Thank you
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
This was an incredibly powerful book. I think what made it so impactful to me was her honesty when talking about her past and how her younger self viewed the world. I feel like she shared her emotional and personal growth well, explaining why she made the decisions she did and how those difficult choices are haunting her now.
She also has a very interesting perspective in that her family was once very privileged (by North Korean standards) and lost their Songbun, causing them to live in extreme poverty.
She also has a very interesting perspective in that her family was once very privileged (by North Korean standards) and lost their Songbun, causing them to live in extreme poverty.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
The strength of the human spirit despite the most unimaginable conditions and suffering is inspirational. Yeonmi Park has experienced quite a bit in her young life. Her story was riveting and tragic and heartbreaking. I knew a little about North Korea, but her story illuminates just how brutal the conditions are there, and just how desperate people are to get out to survive. The danger that children and women face around the world is particularly infuriating. So many people profit from the intense suffering of women.
This book also showcased an interesting similarity between religion and mind-controlling regimes. The sitting around in circles to “call out” your friend and family for their “transgressions” was creepy. Getting people to watch one another and report on one another as a means of control... diabolical. North Korea does this- but so do the Christian groups working to save defectors. So does Scientology. It is a horrible thing to turn families and friends against one another under the guise of “helping them”.
This book was eye-opening. It is worth reading.
This book also showcased an interesting similarity between religion and mind-controlling regimes. The sitting around in circles to “call out” your friend and family for their “transgressions” was creepy. Getting people to watch one another and report on one another as a means of control... diabolical. North Korea does this- but so do the Christian groups working to save defectors. So does Scientology. It is a horrible thing to turn families and friends against one another under the guise of “helping them”.
This book was eye-opening. It is worth reading.
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced