rumaho76's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I have a huge interest in North Korea and this novel about escapees trying to cope in China was a good read. I just couldn't get my head round Danny.
sisa_moyo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
A moving read about the struggle and suffering of North Koreans in leaving/escaping from North Korea.
It's a difficult read, dealing with have content merried with at times lyrical and exquisite writing.
It's a difficult read, dealing with have content merried with at times lyrical and exquisite writing.
rumade's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
An easy read in terms of flow and pace, but a hard one in terms of content. Brutal and sad but important. Daehan's relationship with his faith was heartbreaking, but I found him to be a frustrating character and a little unrealistic.
Also the timings felt a bit off in places, such as a character supposedly being pregnant enough to be identified as such as a silhouette in the dark, yet only being 4 months along.
But overall I liked the switching narrative and the tense story and desire to know what happened next made me gallop through it. It's been a while since I read a book this fast.
Also the timings felt a bit off in places, such as a character supposedly being pregnant enough to be identified as such as a silhouette in the dark, yet only being 4 months along.
But overall I liked the switching narrative and the tense story and desire to know what happened next made me gallop through it. It's been a while since I read a book this fast.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, Sexual harassment, Trafficking, Xenophobia, Sexual violence, Torture, Bullying, Sexual assault, and Slavery
emjuddz's review against another edition
5.0
I lived in Seoul for almost three years, and during that time I became very close with a man my age who had fled North Korea in high school. Although it was at times hard for him to talk about directly, he shared his experiences with me through articles written about him, screenplays he'd created, and interviews from his YouTube Channel. I thought of him throughout this whole book, and I am so, so proud of him. The work he does to spread awareness and dissolve stigma is priceless, as is the work Krys Lee has done here with this brilliant and moving novel.
Yoo Sung, you are the bravest person I've ever met.
Yoo Sung, you are the bravest person I've ever met.
colls's review against another edition
4.0
This was much more than what I was expecting (I'm not sure what I was expecting, to be honest). The altering voices between Yongju, Danny, and Jangmi and the way they are woven into a story larger than any of them is so well crafted. Both disturbing and poignant, I think this will stick with me for some time.
karabk's review against another edition
4.0
I have long heard about the deplorable conditions many North Koreans live in, and Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un’s twisted nuke loving attitude. But North Korean itself has remained elusive, because we are shown only carefully chosen images of “real” life in that country. Krys Lee’s How I Became a North Korean gave me an inside look at three people trying at all costs to get to the safety of South Korea through China.
The trials of characters Yongju, Jangmi and Danny are compelling and heart wrenching. This trio's shared quest for escape & freedom fortunately finds them together. Of particular interest to me was Jangmi who had to use her good looks to get by in her sad, desperate life in North Korea. The double edged sword that is her beauty lead her to be in the lowest, most victimizing situation she could be in. The emotional and physical chaos she goes through is painful to read, but it kept me hoping for her eventual escape.
Lee’s fluid writing style is a joy to read, and she is able to depict three very different points of view with ease. For a truly unique and educational read told by distinct perspectives, How I Became a North Korean is surely it.
I received How I Became a North Korean in a Goodreads Giveaway.
The trials of characters Yongju, Jangmi and Danny are compelling and heart wrenching. This trio's shared quest for escape & freedom fortunately finds them together. Of particular interest to me was Jangmi who had to use her good looks to get by in her sad, desperate life in North Korea. The double edged sword that is her beauty lead her to be in the lowest, most victimizing situation she could be in. The emotional and physical chaos she goes through is painful to read, but it kept me hoping for her eventual escape.
Lee’s fluid writing style is a joy to read, and she is able to depict three very different points of view with ease. For a truly unique and educational read told by distinct perspectives, How I Became a North Korean is surely it.
I received How I Became a North Korean in a Goodreads Giveaway.
mmichellemoore's review against another edition
4.0
Read it on the plane and enjoyed it. A bit choppy in transitions from chapter to chapter. Well written with interesting characters. I also enjoyed the mention of Danny starting the US part of his journey from Loma Linda/Redlands/ Big Bear since I grew up in Redlands.
gyeranbbang's review against another edition
4.0
"Freedom shows me that all that matters to the free world is money."
Slow beginning but it soon became a gripping, heart-wrenching book. I kept telling herself "this is just fiction" but then again, I've read about the experiences in this book in memoirs and testimonies. Sad read, sad reality.
I like how the author made the characters question how other countries know about this but they are too 'scared' to challenge China about what they make them go through to escape/avoid repatriation.
Slow beginning but it soon became a gripping, heart-wrenching book. I kept telling herself "this is just fiction" but then again, I've read about the experiences in this book in memoirs and testimonies. Sad read, sad reality.
I like how the author made the characters question how other countries know about this but they are too 'scared' to challenge China about what they make them go through to escape/avoid repatriation.
evemayy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
hannyreads's review against another edition
4.0
I fell in love with her short stories and this novel was just as lovely.