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barbistull's review
4.0
The Last Exiles shares a more in-depth look at the life of people in North Korea. Jin was able to attend the university in Pyongyang on scholarship--giving him many opportunities for a better future for him and his family. Suja came from a prominent family and lives a privileged life. Despite living vastly different lives, Jin and Suja fell in love while studying at the university. While visiting home on break, Jin finds his family starving after being raided by police. He makes an impulsive decision that sets a downward spiral and tears him and Suja apart. A few bad decisions later, both Jin and Suja were in poor conditions both hoping they would see each other again.
It was heartbreaking to read about the struggles of the people in North Korea just to seek sustenance. I was more engaged in this book than I expected to be, so I definitely recommend.
Thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for an advanced copy.
It was heartbreaking to read about the struggles of the people in North Korea just to seek sustenance. I was more engaged in this book than I expected to be, so I definitely recommend.
Thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for an advanced copy.
ggrillion's review
emotional
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
4.25
graystreetbooks's review
3.0
I was completely sucked in for the first half of the book but my interest steadily declined from that point to the end of the book. Honestly I don’t think it had anything to do with the writing or the story—there were some very, very tough scenes that I just couldn’t handle at this point in time.
hil_knecht's review
4.0
I’m fascinated by stories set in North Korea.
I enjoyed this (as much as one can enjoy a book set in NK with all its baggage that comes with it).
I definitely want to read more fiction and non fiction set there .
I enjoyed this (as much as one can enjoy a book set in NK with all its baggage that comes with it).
I definitely want to read more fiction and non fiction set there .
sdelcharco's review
4.0
So sad at times but very hopeful in the end. An insight into another culture and way of life.
kshiffler's review
3.0
For the most part, I enjoyed this book. But she spent a lot of time building up to the difficult parts. Then resolved it all in a just a few chapters. The ending just felt abrupt.
kvroberts's review
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
suvata's review
5.0
• ModernMrsDarcy.com 2021 Summer Reading Guide #MMDSummerReading
• Kindle e-book • Scribd audiobook
An unforgettable saga inspired by true events, The Last Exiles is a searing portrait of a young couple in Pyongyang and their fight for love and freedom
Jin and Suja meet and fall in love while studying at university in Pyongyang. She is a young journalist from a prominent family, while he is from a small village of little means. Outside the school, North Korea has fallen under great political upheaval, plunged into chaos and famine. When Jin returns home to find his family starving, their food rations all but gone, he makes a rash decision that will haunt him for the rest of his life.
• Kindle e-book • Scribd audiobook
An unforgettable saga inspired by true events, The Last Exiles is a searing portrait of a young couple in Pyongyang and their fight for love and freedom
Jin and Suja meet and fall in love while studying at university in Pyongyang. She is a young journalist from a prominent family, while he is from a small village of little means. Outside the school, North Korea has fallen under great political upheaval, plunged into chaos and famine. When Jin returns home to find his family starving, their food rations all but gone, he makes a rash decision that will haunt him for the rest of his life.
melloyellobooks's review
4.0
The Last Exiles is about two characters, Jin and Suja, who have very different upbringings and privileges in North Korea during the time of great political upheaval. They fall in love at the University of Pyongyang- Jin is a brilliant scholarship student, and Suja is a young journalist from a prominent family. Their futures are bright and full of promise, even for Jin who comes from a family in extreme poverty.
When Jin impulsively commits a crime against the government, he is sent to a North Korean labor camp, which who one ever returns from. He manages a harrowing escape, and this action inspires Suja to defect, leave her privileged lifestyle and look for him in China. While Jin is relegated to working in underground markets, Suja, being a woman, suffers much more dire consequences.
This story is very well-written and was a page turner. Shin does a great job of describing the genuine love and respect these two have for each other, as well as the bleak situations that North Koreans are living under. The propaganda presented in the book was both frightening and disturbing-- I appreciated the character's grappling with it as they slowly discovered the truth. There are a lot of twists and turns in this book, and although the end doesn't seem very plausible, it is based on a true story and events.
When Jin impulsively commits a crime against the government, he is sent to a North Korean labor camp, which who one ever returns from. He manages a harrowing escape, and this action inspires Suja to defect, leave her privileged lifestyle and look for him in China. While Jin is relegated to working in underground markets, Suja, being a woman, suffers much more dire consequences.
This story is very well-written and was a page turner. Shin does a great job of describing the genuine love and respect these two have for each other, as well as the bleak situations that North Koreans are living under. The propaganda presented in the book was both frightening and disturbing-- I appreciated the character's grappling with it as they slowly discovered the truth. There are a lot of twists and turns in this book, and although the end doesn't seem very plausible, it is based on a true story and events.
mary00's review
3.0
This book held promise and I enjoyed learning more about life in North Korea, but the writing did not feel cohesive enough to me. I understand what the author was doing by switching between the two stories/ perspectives, but for me the book may have felt stronger had she kept her focus on just one story. The love story did not feel quite believable enough to me. I am glad I read it, however, and I did like it. I just didn't love it.