A review by bybookandbone
Nothing to Envy: Real Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick

5.0

I don't think I can express how much I adore this book. Lent to me by a friend, I didn't know what to expect but certainly didn't expect the truly masterful journalism Barbara Demick produced. She intertwined the North Korean history with the lives of the six interviewees. Instead of telling each person's story separately, they are told in relation to each other and the big events of the country with every other chapter being a different person and the youngest, Kim Hyuck, not coming in until about half way through.

The last few chapters centre around these defectors lives in South Korea and it does not shy away from those who found it difficult to adjust or missed North Korea. I found myself tearing up for Mrs Song though, who found a new lease on life after suffering so much and struggling due to her love of The Marshal.

Highly recommend this book to understand both the history and the people. I'd love more, especially since 2010.