Eunsun Kim was born in North Korea, one of the most secretive and oppressive countries in the modern world. As a child Eunsun loved her country…despite her school field trips to public executions, daily self-criticism sessions, and the increasing gnaw of hunger as the country-wide famine escalated. By the time she was eleven years old, Eunsun’s father and grandparents had died of starvation, … starvation, and Eunsun was in danger of the same. Finally, her mother decided to escape North Korea with Eunsun and her sister, not knowing that they were embarking on a journey that would take them nine long years to complete. Before finally reaching South Korea and freedom, Eunsun and her family would live homeless, fall into the hands of Chinese human traffickers, survive a North Korean labor camp, and cross the deserts of Mongolia on foot.
Now, Eunsun is sharing her remarkable story to give voice to the tens of millions of North Koreans still suffering in silence. Told with grace and courage, her memoir is a riveting exposé of North Korea’s totalitarian regime and, ultimately, a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit.
more
While I don’t think this is a full five stars I am blown away by this story. It was an easy one for me to get sucked into. I knew that life in North Korea was horrible but I truly never realized just how bad it was. I cannot believe what she went through. She wrote this book at 25 and, with it being close to my current age, I can’t help but compare and contrast things she went through with my own life at the ages of 9, 11, 16 – unfathomable. This book forces you to recognize your privilege on a huge level. Reading this left me feeling sad for the people of North Korea and frustrated that more isn’t being done to help them.
A great insight into what life is like in North Korea and the lengths people will go to for a better life. A story of strength, hope and courage.
A WONDERFULLY INSPIRING AND EDUCATIONAL BOOK ABOUT N. KOREA’S HORRIBLE TREATMENT OF ITS PEOPLE.
A MUST READ .
Very good insight behind North Korea’s wall of silence about their citizens.
What an incredible journey for this lady.
Important and insightful.
It was everything I’ve ever heard or imagined life could be in North Korea. A story all young people who are dissatisfied with our form of government, should read.
Tough to read because it is a true story of a young girls escape from North Korea but very informative
I had no idea these things were still happening in Korea so recently. It was/is an amazing true story. I learned a lot.
This story is very touching and once again makes me grateful for having been born in the United Stares of America. It tells of the writers father’s death, basically from starvation. The mother and two daughters were in danger of starvation as well before the mother made the decision to escape into China. They received some assistance from Chinese people but also fell victim to human trafficking and a horrible marriage for the mother. …though there was no legal ceremony. I am amazed at the courage these 3 women had and their ultimate arrival to South Korea.
Terrible story of people living in horrible conditions and struggling with life.
Great book telling of true happenings in North Korea. Horrendous treatment by the North Korean Army and others . People are so brainwashed they believe the lies of the reigning government and are starved to death or killed if they refuse to worship them.
It was an awesome book. It goes to show how far the human spirit can do to survive
I didn’t want to put this down! Viewing the inside story of how some North Korean people are treated is eye-opening. I didn’t want the book to end.
Great inspirational story…… too simplistically written to “warm up” to characters.
I enjoyed the book, all the trials this family faced to reach freedom and the somewhat horrendous things they had to endure were amazing. When I didn’t think things could get any worse, they did!
Very enlightening to the atrocities going on in North Korea , could not put it down.
Tells the reality of how the North Korean people are treated. An excellent look at the horrors of what it takes to escape.
FasanatingHeart breaking for North Koreans
It’s very compelling of what the author, her mother and sister endured to escape North Korea. Their story is so moving. Thoroughly enjoyed the book.