Ratings31
Average rating4.5
“I am most grateful for two things: that I was born in North Korea, and that I escaped from North Korea.” - Yeonmi Park "One of the most harrowing stories I have ever heard - and one of the most inspiring." - The Bookseller “Park's remarkable and inspiring story shines a light on a country whose inhabitants live in misery beyond comprehension. Park's important memoir showcases the strength of the human spirit and one young woman's incredible determination to never be hungry again.” —Publishers Weekly In In Order to Live, Yeonmi Park shines a light not just into the darkest corners of life in North Korea, describing the deprivation and deception she endured and which millions of North Korean people continue to endure to this day, but also onto her own most painful and difficult memories. She tells with bravery and dignity for the first time the story of how she and her mother were betrayed and sold into sexual slavery in China and forced to suffer terrible psychological and physical hardship before they finally made their way to Seoul, South Korea—and to freedom. Park confronts her past with a startling resilience. In spite of everything, she has never stopped being proud of where she is from, and never stopped striving for a better life. Indeed, today she is a human rights activist working determinedly to bring attention to the oppression taking place in her home country. Park’s testimony is heartbreaking and unimaginable, but never without hope. This is the human spirit at its most indomitable.
Reviews with the most likes.
This is different from any book I've ever read. I found it really insightful and inspiring, and would recommend it!
I don't normally read biographies and I don't usually finish a book within 24 hours of starting it, but I could not put this one down. I watch a lot of Yeonmi's videos on YouTube and knew some of her story, but this book was really eye opening as to what daily life was like in North Korea. Something that came to mind often while reading was that she was living in a real world Hunger Games reality. Then when they finally reached “freedom” only to enter a new kind of horror, my heart sank for Yeonmi and her mother. I am so glad that after everything they endured, they were finally able to reach true freedom. Yeonmi is a brave woman and a true inspiration! Thank you for sharing your story. I hope one day your dream comes true and all of NK will know true freedom.
WOW.
This woman is amazing. And North Korea is seriously messed up. (Understatement of the year.)