NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
An extraordinary insight into life under one of the world’s most ruthless and secretive dictatorships – and the story of one woman’s terrifying struggle to avoid capture/repatriation and guide her family to freedom.
As a child growing up in North Korea, Hyeonseo Lee was one of millions trapped by a secretive and brutal communist regime. Her home on the border with … home on the border with China gave her some exposure to the world beyond the confines of the Hermit Kingdom and, as the famine of the 1990s struck, she began to wonder, question and to realise that she had been brainwashed her entire life. Given the repression, poverty and starvation she witnessed surely her country could not be, as she had been told “the best on the planet”?
Aged seventeen, she decided to escape North Korea. She could not have imagined that it would be twelve years before she was reunited with her family.
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Very interesting. A bit repetitive. Wasn’t crazy about writing style but subject was engrossing.
Very Good Book
True story of escape from a totalitarian country.
A memoir about a somewhat selfish girl growing up in North Korea and later becoming an asylum seeker. I almost clicked page turner there are so many unexpected twists to her story.
This is a true story of a 17 year old in North Korea who escapes her home and country to go to China. It is a story of determination and fortitude.
This is a wonderful book. Very informative about the North Korean culture.
Marvelous book….I don’t recommend very often but this is searing, a true story….just read it!
To learn about the people and their circumstances in North Korea one should read this book. It makes one appreciate what we take for grnated living in the USA.
Half way through I had trouble putting it down. It was very entertaining!!!
It was heartbreaking but thoroughly believable and moved fluidly.
What a great memoir of an amazing courageous young lady!
This true account of one girl’s escape from North Korea teaches more about life in this totalitarian communist country than any news report. She is a brave, remarkable woman who has written a very good book.
Very well written and keeps your attention.
I’ve always been curious about life in North Korea. This girl came from a family of means in North Korea. It was a lot of struggle and uncertainty in her young life. I found the book captivating and very realistic. I would definitely recommend this to others.
Eye opening reality. Reads much like a thriller.
Very interesting memoir about life in North Korea and one young girls’ journey to freedom.
It was a great read because it was a true story about the author!
She’s a wonderful storyteller and the fact that it’s her true life story made it even more intriguing. I learned a great deal about North Korea and its people. I chose this for my book club selection and it was extremely well received.
interesting insight into North Korea
The horrifying conditions of North Korea and the many obstacles faced after escaping to China leave the reader breathless to find out how this remarkable young woman, her mother and her sister finally obtained real freedom.