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elizabacelar's review against another edition
5.0
This history transformed so many parts within me and moved me so deeply that it really is very hard to describe my thoughts on this book. I happen to have read this book after I did George Orwell's 1984 and I would actually recommend that too. When reading 1984, I couldn't believe a human mind could imagine and conceive those notions and put them into paper in such a way it can actually be mentally disturbing to the reader and so intensely vivid when describing the horrors of torturing a person physically and mentally, not to mention the mechanisms of brainwashing a society through all means, including and definitely not least by controlling the language, as therefore, the ability to communicate, think or even understand basic concepts such as friendship, love, science, evolution, grief, and ultimately right, wrong and justice. I was shocked and mentally disturbed on some levels for a few days later after I was done reading 1984, even considering that my ignorant self thought that it was all fiction. I could not believe the words I was listening to on this audiobook from Yeonmi Park, when I learned that 1984 was not only real in North Korea, but 100 times WORST in real life.
This book is a piece of art, beautifully written albeit an intense and excruciating eye-opener of such a tragedy that happens daily with so many people's lives, without their consent and absolutely without their fault. It made me feel grateful in a way I had never felt before, but also weak, powerless, and enraged by the disgusting acts the human race is capable of inflicting on itself. There is no doubt Yeonmi Park is one of the strongest people in our generation, and I wish her voice to be as strong as her resilience, and to break through and make an even bigger difference in the world every day. She's one of the main reasons why I'm getting more and more concerned with humanity and want to make whatever I can to help and make a difference in people's lives, especially those in need.
This book was absolutely a catalyst to help me be a better human, and for that I thank Yeonmi.
This book is a piece of art, beautifully written albeit an intense and excruciating eye-opener of such a tragedy that happens daily with so many people's lives, without their consent and absolutely without their fault. It made me feel grateful in a way I had never felt before, but also weak, powerless, and enraged by the disgusting acts the human race is capable of inflicting on itself. There is no doubt Yeonmi Park is one of the strongest people in our generation, and I wish her voice to be as strong as her resilience, and to break through and make an even bigger difference in the world every day. She's one of the main reasons why I'm getting more and more concerned with humanity and want to make whatever I can to help and make a difference in people's lives, especially those in need.
This book was absolutely a catalyst to help me be a better human, and for that I thank Yeonmi.
ylbirda's review against another edition
4.0
This was very interesting. It is a great insight into the life of North Koreans and into the decisions one must make to stay alive.
seadvst's review against another edition
4.0
The first 8 chapters were a bit slow, but it really picks up after. I didn't expect to love this book as much as I did and it made me reflect how easy I have it in America compared to others in the world. It's really eye opening to the struggles occurring in North Korea and gives insight to human trafficking.
medium_wasser's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
5.0
richnaluvs_bean's review against another edition
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
4.0
ambivia's review against another edition
4.0
A very impactful memoir that educates you while you read it, and won't leave your mind once you're finished.
It made me think not only of North Korea, China, and South Korea, where Yeonmi has lived, but the world at large — Yeonmi talks both about the rampant abuses of human rights occuring in China and North Korea, and of the world at large's reaction to the abuses she's suffered. The stigma for women who've suffered sexual abuse, for victims of human trafficking, and for defectors are all terrible; being called a liar, being constantly questioned, and being expected to prove that the most traumatic events in your life even happened... It's very disheartening.
But Yeonmi's determination runs deep through the entire book, and she ends it with discussion of her activism for the ordinary people of her homeland. In spreading awareness, she hopes to remind people of their duty to help and aid. It's a book I would recommend to anyone who needs reminding of why activism and spreading awareness is so important.
It made me think not only of North Korea, China, and South Korea, where Yeonmi has lived, but the world at large — Yeonmi talks both about the rampant abuses of human rights occuring in China and North Korea, and of the world at large's reaction to the abuses she's suffered. The stigma for women who've suffered sexual abuse, for victims of human trafficking, and for defectors are all terrible; being called a liar, being constantly questioned, and being expected to prove that the most traumatic events in your life even happened... It's very disheartening.
But Yeonmi's determination runs deep through the entire book, and she ends it with discussion of her activism for the ordinary people of her homeland. In spreading awareness, she hopes to remind people of their duty to help and aid. It's a book I would recommend to anyone who needs reminding of why activism and spreading awareness is so important.
bluubleuu's review against another edition
5.0
➸ 5 stars
heartbreaking, thought-provoking and yet very inspiring.
"Even when you think you’re alone, the birds and mice can hear you whisper."
Actually I saw a lot of interviews of Yeonmi Park before reading this book but still... there is some part that is very hard to read (especially when she moved to China) but it is very insightful about life in North Korea and how North Koreans live as refugees in China.
This book is very important for everyone to read, you will definitely get something out from it and this story will remind you how lucky you are.
heartbreaking, thought-provoking and yet very inspiring.
"Even when you think you’re alone, the birds and mice can hear you whisper."
Actually I saw a lot of interviews of Yeonmi Park before reading this book but still... there is some part that is very hard to read (especially when she moved to China) but it is very insightful about life in North Korea and how North Koreans live as refugees in China.
This book is very important for everyone to read, you will definitely get something out from it and this story will remind you how lucky you are.
careycarpenter's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. The story is compelling and sad but everyone needs to know how people in North Korea live. She writes in a very honest way, telling us parts of her life that she never shared with anyone before. It's a tale that is incredulous and her character is so amazingly strong and true.