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A review by chelseatm
Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West by Blaine Harden
3.0
It was a really interesting read. I will say that. I think more so because I had never really paid attention to North Korea before. Something I'm ashamed of but something I think a good percentage of North Americans are guilty of. We've grown up in a world where North Korea has been like this and we haven't seen a lot of progress, protests, or calls for actions so it's natural that we wouldn't pay it much mind.
But after reading this book, that has changed for me. I don't understand that if these labour camps exist (just google Camp 14 and you can see satellite images) how our governments haven't done anything. I hope this book inspires a call to action. I know it has in me.
That being said, don't go in expecting an inspiring hero. He is not a Hollywood survivor, only operating for good, maintaining his love and empathy, surviving on hopes for a better world. No, he is human. A man affected by the cruelty and sociopath guards. He admits that empathy is hard for him and may never be within his grasp. It is a true account of a man's quest from the depths of hell and his transition into the real world.
It may not be warm and fuzzy but it will be real.
It is a quick read and I think just for the eye-opening experience, it should be required reading. If you do like the hero placed in awful situations, then I would recommend Unbroken by Laura Hildebrand.
But after reading this book, that has changed for me. I don't understand that if these labour camps exist (just google Camp 14 and you can see satellite images) how our governments haven't done anything. I hope this book inspires a call to action. I know it has in me.
That being said, don't go in expecting an inspiring hero. He is not a Hollywood survivor, only operating for good, maintaining his love and empathy, surviving on hopes for a better world. No, he is human. A man affected by the cruelty and sociopath guards. He admits that empathy is hard for him and may never be within his grasp. It is a true account of a man's quest from the depths of hell and his transition into the real world.
It may not be warm and fuzzy but it will be real.
It is a quick read and I think just for the eye-opening experience, it should be required reading. If you do like the hero placed in awful situations, then I would recommend Unbroken by Laura Hildebrand.