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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.
aylinmoon's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
grb123's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
sammi620's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
personarobot's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
4.5
An incredibly interesting read, and very informative.
Although there are reports of inaccuracies of the memoir, the author does address this in the prologue that her own memories may not be accurate. I think it's normal for memories of the past to be distorted after so much time, trauma, dictatorship has passed.
Although there are reports of inaccuracies of the memoir, the author does address this in the prologue that her own memories may not be accurate. I think it's normal for memories of the past to be distorted after so much time, trauma, dictatorship has passed.