Reviews tagging 'Rape'

In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom by Yeonmi Park

155 reviews

mmontemurro's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

This was a gripping memoir of Yeonmi Park's harrowing journey out of North Korea. She describes her childhood in a country where having no food for days on end was commonplace, and how they would eat dragonflies for protein when they had nothing else. She describes seeing dead bodies on the side of the road - people who had died of starvation. Her father was taken to a hard labor camp after being caught selling "illegal" goods which in any other place would be considered legal. Her mother left to attempt to retrieve her father from prison, and she was left to care for herself and her sister. While others tried to help them, it sounded as though most people had little to give for food. I was shocked to hear about the government radios which had to be on at all times - it reminded me of 1984 where they were constantly watched and listened to. No one could be trusted but yourself. Her sister left for China, and eventually Yeonmi leaves with her mother too, to hopefully find a better life in China, and get her father out of North Korea. Yeonmi and her mother were trafficked for many years in China, and forced into marriages by Chinese brokers. They were considered second-class citizens - or really not citizens at all in China. Yeonmi secured a deal for herself as a young girl in order to get her mother and father, and hopefully her sister, who was missing, in exchange for becoming a mistress to one broker. She describes painful, terrible rape and having to endure that for her family. Eventually they leave with a Christian missionary group for South Korea. However dangerous, they do eventually make it to South Korea, and are able to become citizens there. Due to a lack in eduation in North Korea, Yeonmi is told that she will never amount to anything, never catch up to other classmates, and never go to university. She surpasses every goal by working extremely hard. Her story is incredible, and she has everlasting hope through all the bleak moments of her life. I hope that this story reaches many, and that her story can inspire others to understand the tragedy of North Korea and understand that anything is achieveable in this life. 

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Genocide, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, and Deportation

Moderate: Abortion and Pregnancy

This book really captivated me from start to finish. I had heard of Yeonmi's story before from the numerous interviews she does, but I had not heard of some specific details about her family and her survival throughout her teenage years. It humbles me and I am grateful to live in a country where freedom is a right and I am able to achieve my goals without significant hardship or sacrifice. I am glad that after all the hardship Yeonmi endured, she was able to gain freedom and is now able to spread awareness and information to others.

jillmarie_23's review against another edition

dark reflective fast-paced

2.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Sexual assault, Trafficking, and Kidnapping

Minor: Death of parent

kaigeg's review against another edition

emotional informative medium-paced

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Grief

kyleighwhitsell's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, and Trafficking

bethantg's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring fast-paced

5.0

Such a worthwhile read. Difficult all the way through, but with a strong current of hope. Grants a lot of insight into what life really is, and what it should never be. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to tell this story over and over, but here it is clear and engaging throughout. Will definitely stick with me.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Death of parent

Moderate: Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting

Minor: Excrement, Alcohol, and War

averagemugglereader's review against another edition

I was really enjoying this book, but unfortunately half way through I did some digging and found that the author is not 100% trust worthy. She’s been “caught” lying about several things in the book. I say “caught” because some people take it as she is definitely lying and others see it as her not wanting to relive certain trauma’s so she didn’t divulge everything at first and that why her story has slightly changed. But because of all that,  I just don’t feel right finishing the book. Maybe I’ll get back to him some day in the future. But for now I’m going to research a few other NK defectors.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Sexual harassment

captain_tiz's review against another edition

dark emotional informative fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

livay's review against another edition

dark emotional informative sad fast-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Trafficking, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Classism, and Deportation

jbry44's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicide, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and War

laedyred's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring sad fast-paced

4.0

Many of us are aware of the horrors of North Korea, but this memoir also describes the challenges faced after leaving the country. The horrors escapees endure are hard to read. In my situation, this book did not change my life, but it was educational and inspiring. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Sexual harassment