anoriega 's review for:

Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick

5.0

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I have to admit, I’m not a huge non-fiction reader but this was excellent. An in-depth and humanistic look at life in North Korea told through various lenses. From a stoic loyal housewife to a hardworking kindergarten teacher, follow the harrowing life of growing up in the last standing communist country. The author did a great job of intertwining stories and detailing each defector’s background and motives for leaving their homeland. I also enjoyed learning more about the history and politics that led to the division of North and South Korea as well as the Korean War. This will probably be one of my favorite reads this year!