multitalented_egg's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

gracie_reads_everything's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

A very powerful and moving story about a North Korean defector turned human rights advocate. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

averagemugglereader's review against another edition

Go to review page

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.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

laedyred's review against another edition

Go to review page

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. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

elkiebear's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional informative tense fast-paced

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

ernie_8's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

julia_browns's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced

5.0

This memoir is probably one of the most impactful books I've ever read. Honestly, everybody should read this and educate themselves about the crimes happening daily in that isolated country. If you haven't read this book already, go read it, right now! 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

on_your_raedar's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

I’ll be the first to admit that I never knew what happened in North Korea because I never thought about it. I watched a YouTube video about the 8 ways to defect from the country and this story was mentioned, I knew I had to read it, educate myself about what’s happen in the world.

This entire story is heartbreaking and is a necessary read. It took weeks to get through because things were so hard to stomach but I truly cannot express the appreciation I feel toward Yeonmi for being brave and willing to share her experiences. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

theverybookish's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective tense fast-paced

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

clevelandbookgirl's review against another edition

Go to review page

informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

Synopsis: Yeonmi Park was born in North Korea. She spent most of her childhood trying to survive the atrocities of the country. One day, Yeonmi's mother decides the family must escape, in order to live. What awaits them during their escape is equally as terrible as the things that happened in North Korea. This true story displays courage, survival, and resiliency. 

I'm so happy I checked out this audiobook from Libby. Yeonmi Park gives insight to what life was like for her in North Korea. 

This story was very hard to listen to. It was tragic, but Yeonmi and her family did what they had to in order to survive, no matter the cost. I will list content warning at the end of this post, because a lot of what Yeonmi and her family survived was extremely brutal.

If you are looking for a memoir for Women's Month this March I would strongly suggest picking up this book. I think this book should be read in political science and sociology classes to showcase politics, survival, and people's ways of thinking. If you're looking for a non-fiction book that will shake you to the core, read In Order to Live.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings