為了活下去: 脫北女孩朴研美 - Goodreads

為了活下去book. Read 5687 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. 「這輩子我最感激兩件事，一是我出生在北韓，一是我逃出了北韓。

Goodreadshelpsyoukeeptrackofbooksyouwanttoread. Startbymarking“為了活下去:脫北女孩朴研美”asWanttoRead: WanttoRead saving… WanttoRead CurrentlyReading Read Othereditions Enlargecover WanttoRead saving… Errorratingbook.Refreshandtryagain. Ratethisbook Clearrating 1of5stars2of5stars3of5stars4of5stars5of5stars OpenPreview SeeaProblem? We’dloveyourhelp. Letusknowwhat’swrongwiththispreviewof 為了活下去byYeonmiPark. Problem: It’sthewrongbook It’sthewrongedition Other Details(ifother):   Cancel Thanksfortellingusabouttheproblem. ReturntoBookPage Notthebookyou’relookingfor? Preview—為了活下去 byYeonmiPark 為了活下去:脫北女孩朴研美 by YeonmiPark, 朴研美, 謝佩妏(Translator) 4.46  ·  Ratingdetails ·  58,183 ratings  ·  5,693 reviews 「這輩子我最感激兩件事，一是我出生在北韓，一是我逃出了北韓。

」 　　一個長於北韓黑市世代的女孩，歷經苦難終於逃離家鄉，　　卻在人口販子的掌控下，度過兩年生不如死的歲月。

　　這一則活下去的故事。

　　◆文字工作者阿潑、作家吳曉樂專文推薦　　◆已出版法、德、西、日等多國語言。

　　◆內附歷經幾番波折重新取回的珍貴家族照片。

　　＊＊＊　　上學途中看見屍體躺在路邊、肚子餓到只能吃野生植物果腹、鄰居莫名其妙「消失」等等，這些都是朴研美從小到大習以為常的事。

她相信「敬愛的領袖」可以看穿她的心，甚至因為她心裡的「壞念頭」而懲罰她。

　　十三歲那年，飢荒再加上父親入獄，迫使研美一家人不得不冒著生命危險，橫越結冰的鴨綠江，從北韓逃到中國。

然而，到了中國之後，她才發現自己已經落入中國人口販子的手中。

　　她在人口販子的掌控下度過兩年生不如死的歲月，在一個甚至比她 「這輩子我最感激兩件事，一是我出生在北韓，一是我逃出了北韓。

」 　　一個長於北韓黑市世代的女孩，歷經苦難終於逃離家鄉，　　卻在人口販子的掌控下，度過兩年生不如死的歲月。

　　這一則活下去的故事。

　　◆文字工作者阿潑、作家吳曉樂專文推薦　　◆已出版法、德、西、日等多國語言。

　　◆內附歷經幾番波折重新取回的珍貴家族照片。

　　＊＊＊　　上學途中看見屍體躺在路邊、肚子餓到只能吃野生植物果腹、鄰居莫名其妙「消失」等等，這些都是朴研美從小到大習以為常的事。

她相信「敬愛的領袖」可以看穿她的心，甚至因為她心裡的「壞念頭」而懲罰她。

　　十三歲那年，飢荒再加上父親入獄，迫使研美一家人不得不冒著生命危險，橫越結冰的鴨綠江，從北韓逃到中國。

然而，到了中國之後，她才發現自己已經落入中國人口販子的手中。

　　她在人口販子的掌控下度過兩年生不如死的歲月，在一個甚至比她逃離的家鄉更殘酷、更危險的地方掙扎求生。

後來，研美與母親再一次冒著生命危險想辦法逃亡。

她們在漆黑的寒夜橫越戈壁沙漠，跟隨著星星的指引邁向自由。

...more GetACopy AmazonOnlineStores ▾AudibleBarnes&NobleWalmarteBooksAppleBooksGooglePlayAbebooksBookDepositoryAlibrisIndigoBetterWorldBooksIndieBoundThriftbooksLibraries KindleEdition,320pages Published August1st2016 by大塊文化 (firstpublishedSeptember25th2015) MoreDetails... OriginalTitle InOrdertoLive:ANorthKoreanGirl'sJourneytoFreedom ISBN 1594206791 (ISBN13:9781594206795) EditionLanguage Chinese Setting NorthKorea (Korea,DemocraticPeople'sRepublicof) China SouthKorea (Korea,Republicof) OtherEditions(60) AllEditions | AddaNewEdition | Combine ...LessDetail EditDetails FriendReviews Toseewhatyourfriendsthoughtofthisbook, pleasesignup. ReaderQ&A Toaskotherreadersquestionsabout 為了活下去, pleasesignup. PopularAnsweredQuestions IfoundmyselftogglingtoGoogleMapsandmappingherroutefromonedestinationtothenext,viewingdistances,routes,cities,andbuildings.WhatIwishedIhadwasherexactlocationineachdestination.WouldMs.Parkconsiderprovidingtheexactcoordinatesofthedestinationsinherjourneywherevershemightbeabletoidentifythem?Itwouldmakeafascinatingmaptozoomdownintoandexplore. 36likes · like 6yearsago Seeall9answers Maja thatmightputothernorthkoreandefectorsinjeopardy? flag Iaminlovewithherstory. Suchaninspiration. Cananyonerecommendmeasimilarbooktoread? 10likes · like 4yearsago Seeall11answers SooYen ARiverinDarknessbyMasajiIshikawaGirlwith7NamesbyHyeonseoLee…moreARiverinDarknessbyMasajiIshikawaGirlwith7NamesbyHyeonseoLee(less) flag Seeall13questionsabout為了活下去… ListswithThisBook ThisbookisnotyetfeaturedonListopia. Addthisbooktoyourfavoritelist» CommunityReviews Showing1-30 Averagerating 4.46  ·  Ratingdetails  ·  58,183 ratings  ·  5,693 reviews AllLanguagesBahasaIndonesia‎(1) Dansk‎(1) Deutsch‎(47) Eesti‎(3) English‎(5029) Español‎(135) Français‎(27) Italiano‎(26) Magyar‎(7) Nederlands‎(3) Norsk‎(2) Polski‎(31) Português‎(75) Pусскийязык‎(3) Română‎(46) Slovenčina‎(1) Suomi‎(2) Svenska‎(30) Türkçe‎(10) Íslenska‎(14) česky,čeština‎(13) Ελληνικά‎(1) българскиезик‎(21) монгол‎(1) српскијезик‎(1) العربية‎(2) فارسی‎(6) বাংলা‎(1) ไทย‎(4) 中文‎(6) 日本語‎(1) Morefilters  |  Sortorder Startyourreviewof為了活下去:脫北女孩朴研美Writeareview Jan16,2016 Maxwell ratedit itwasamazing  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: non-fiction, favorites Idon'tthinkanyreviewIwriteforthisbookcandoitjustice.It'satrulyremarkablestory,butmorethanthat,itshowsatrulyremarkableyoungwomanwhoisresilientandhopefuleveninthebleakestofmoments.It'stheepitomeofinspiration,andIwisheverysinglepersonwouldreadthisbookandbeinspiredbyit. Idon'tthinkanyreviewIwriteforthisbookcandoitjustice.It'satrulyremarkablestory,butmorethanthat,itshowsatrulyremarkableyoungwomanwhoisresilientandhopefuleveninthebleakestofmoments.It'stheepitomeofinspiration,andIwisheverysinglepersonwouldreadthisbookandbeinspiredbyit. ...more flag 496likes · Like  · seereview Viewall7comments Dec20,2016 Petrik ratedit reallylikedit  ·  reviewofanotheredition Recommendsitfor: Everyone Someofyouwillprobablyskipreadingthisreviewsinceit’samemoirandmostofmyfriendsandfollowers,likemeareloversoffantasy&fictionbooks.Believeme,memoirsoranykindofnon-fictionbooksisagenreIavoidthemost.However,afterwatchingYeonmiPark’sviralvideoonYouTubebackin2014,IwassomovedandwhenIfoundoutthere’sabookbasedonherlifesinceherbirthuntilherescapefromNorthKorea,Iboughtitstraightthenextday.Ifyoudecidedtonotreadthis Someofyouwillprobablyskipreadingthisreviewsinceit’samemoirandmostofmyfriendsandfollowers,likemeareloversoffantasy&fictionbooks.Believeme,memoirsoranykindofnon-fictionbooksisagenreIavoidthemost.However,afterwatchingYeonmiPark’sviralvideoonYouTubebackin2014,IwassomovedandwhenIfoundoutthere’sabookbasedonherlifesinceherbirthuntilherescapefromNorthKorea,Iboughtitstraightthenextday.Ifyoudecidedtonotreadthisreviewatall,it’scompletelyokaybutpleaseatleastwatchthisvideo.It’sonly8minuteslongandwillshedalightonhowdarkNorthKoreais.It’snotanexaggerationwhenpeoplesaySouthKorea&NorthKoreaisHeaven&HellonEarth.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufhKW...Thatsaid,I’mgoingtosaythisisabookthateveryoneinthisworldmustread.Noone,andIseriouslymeanthis,nobodyinthisworldshouldeverexperiencetheshitsthatYeonmiandherfamilygothroughtoachievetheirfreedom.Thesedays,alotofpeoplesaidNorthKoreaisjustarepressivecountryruledbyafatdudewithbadhaircutandthreatentolaunchnucleareveryyearasifit’sananniversaryevent.Theyjokeandmakememesaboutitwhileintruth,NorthKoreaisadystopiancountrywithextremeTotalitarianism.Ifanyofyoureadthebook“AnimalFarm”or“1984”byGeorgeOrwell,thisistherealitymanifestationofthosebook.BigBrother?It’sthere,doublethink?it’sthere,ThoughtPolice?it’sallthereinthatcountrywithdifferentnames. “InNorthKorea,evenarithmeticisapropagandatool.Atypicalproblemwouldgolikethis:“IfyoukilloneAmericanbastardandyourcomradekillstwo,howmanydeadAmericanbastardsdoyouhave?” Yeonmi,beingonly4yearsyoungerthanme(she’s23currently)hadfacedbrutalhardshipstogetthroughtowheresheisnow.It’strulyawondershecouldsmilethewayshedoesnow.AttimeswhileI'mreading,IforgotthatI’mreadinganon-fictionbookbecauseitwassofuckedup,especiallywhatshewentthroughwhenshe’s13-15yearsold.Thisstoryisasrealasitgets,ithappenedandit'sstillhappeningtocountlesspeoplewhotriedtoescapefromNorthKorea.Theleastwecandoistobeawareofthissituation.YeonmiwrotethisbookwiththepurposethatmorepeoplewilllistentoherstoryandknowtherealitythatresidesinNorthKoreaeventhoughthismeansputtingherlifeindangerasshe'snowbeingbrandedasapublicenemytothewholecountrywhereshe'sborn.Atthesametimeshe'salsolettingusknowthatinthedarkestsituation,there’salwayshopetobefound.Ilistenedtoherstory,I'minspiredandIcared.IfsomehowmyreviewcouldreachjustonemorepersontoknowherstorythenI’llbesatisfied.Doesn’tmatterifyou’reafanoffantasy,sci-fi,romance,YA,oranyothergenre,thisisabookthateveryonemustread.Rantsection:IloweredthescoreofthisbookbecausesometimesIfeelthewritingsaretoosimple,there'ssometyposandtheymademefeeldetached.However,I’mseriouslydisappointedwiththosewholoweredtheirscorebecauseofthereasonsayingherstoriesarefakesandfabrications.Seriouslywhatisthematterwithyou?Look,herdetailscanbewrongsometimes,she'sdiagnosedwithPTSDanddepressionaftereverythingshewentthrough.Thebookitselfcouldbemistranslatedbutreally,Ichallengeyoutotryrememberingeverydetailofyourlifesinceyourbirthuntilnow,let’sseeifyougetthemright100%.Heck,Ican’tevenrememberalotofthingsfrommychildhooduntilmiddleschool.IhaveafriendwhoexperiencedoneharshthingthathappenedtoYeonmi(viewspoiler)[shewasraped(hidespoiler)]andtrustme,askinghertorememberthatdetailoverandoveragainislikeputtingaknifeinherheartandbrainrepeatedly.Doingthisislikesayingshe’sthebiggestliaroftheworld,ifwewon’ttrustherstorythenwhowill?["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]> ...more flag 319likes · Like  · seereview Viewall69comments Nov10,2015 PetrahuggedaguywhogotCovidnextday.Ohdear ratedit likedit  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: reviewed, 2015-reviews, popculture-anthropology, 2015-read, travel-adventure-countries, korea, biography-true-story, 2021-100-reviews Update15June2021.NYPostJaneAustenisgettingcancelled!YeonmiParksaysthatfreedomintheUSisgoingthewayofNorthKorea-sheisnowinColumbiauniversity"Aprofessoraskedwhotheclasswholikedclassicalbooks,likeJaneAusten.'Isaid,'Ilovethosebooks.Ithoughtitwasagoodthing.''Thenshesaid,'Didyouknowthosewritershadacolonialmindset?Theywereracistsandbigotsandaresubconsciouslybrainwashingyou."ParkwarnedthatAmericanswerecensoringandsilencin Update15June2021.NYPostJaneAustenisgettingcancelled!YeonmiParksaysthatfreedomintheUSisgoingthewayofNorthKorea-sheisnowinColumbiauniversity"Aprofessoraskedwhotheclasswholikedclassicalbooks,likeJaneAusten.'Isaid,'Ilovethosebooks.Ithoughtitwasagoodthing.''Thenshesaid,'Didyouknowthosewritershadacolonialmindset?Theywereracistsandbigotsandaresubconsciouslybrainwashingyou."ParkwarnedthatAmericanswerecensoringandsilencingeachotherthroughcancelculture.'Voluntarily,thesepeoplearecensoringeachother,silencingeachother,noforcebehindit,'shesaid.'Othertimes(inhistory)there'samilitarycoupd'etat,likeaforcecomesintakingyourrightsawayandsilencingyou.Butthiscountryischoosingtobesilenced,choosingtogivetheirrightsaway.''Iguessthat'swhattheywant,'shesaid,'todestroyeverysinglethingandrebuildintoacommunistparadise.'WhenPrincePhilipdied,alibrarianinKingsCollege,London,circulatedaphotoofhimopeningthelibrary.Shewasforcedtowithdrawitandapologiseforthe'harm'itcausedashehadmaderacistandsexiststatementsinthepast.Acoupleofdaysago,itwasreportedthatthesamecollegehadhonouredanex-student,TeresaCheng,China'shardlinejusticeministerwithafellowship,despitehercentralrole(forwhichtheUScensuredher)incrackingdownonthepro-democracymovementmovementinHongKong.IthinkI'mgoingtohavetorereadthebookandrethinkmyreviewinlightofthisinterviewwiththeauthor.ItaddstomyknowledgeofherandwhatshewentthroughinawayIwasn'tawareof.Reviewtoberevised(viewspoiler)[Education.Re-educationandevenmorere-re-education.Oryoucouldjustcallitprogrammingorthatnice,old-fashionedColdWarword,brainwashing.Butwho,intheend,isbeingbrainwashed?Itwouldn'tbeusnow,wouldit?YeomiParkisbornintoasubsistence-levelexistenceinNorthKoreawhichisreducedtoalmostlowerthanthatwhenherfather,asmugglerofmetals,issenttoalabourcamp.Whenheisreleased,heisabrokenman."Atthreethefollowingmorning,Yeonmiandhermothertookhisremainstoanearbymountainandsecretlyburiedthem.‘Therewasnofuneral.Nothing,’Yeonmisays.‘Icouldn’tevendothatformyfather.Icouldn’tcallanyonetosaymyfatherhadpassedaway.Hewas45–reallyyoung.Wecouldn’tevengivehimpainkillers."Eventually,withthe'help'ofatrafficker,sheandhermothercrosstoChinawheretheyaresoldforthetraffickertorecouphiscosts.Inanotherversion,inaninterviewwithaSanFranciscoradiostation,Parksays,"Iescapedwithmymumandfather–thethreeofus.”BecauseofChina'sone-childpolicythereisagreatshortageofwomenandthereisnohopeformanymenevertofindawife,soparentsbuyonefortheirsonandthisiswhathappenedtotheauthor'smother.Shewastreatedlikeaslaveandscarcelyallowedtocontactherdaughter.Thiswouldmakeaveryinterestingbook,thesocialandpersonalcoststoChinaofthisshortageofwomen.SocietiesofmenwithoutwomenareveryLordoftheFliesIwouldimagine.(Notsomuchlikemonksinamonastery,rejoicinginthefeminineabsence).Yeonmisuccessfullyfoughtoffrapeattemptsbuteventuallygaveinwhenthetraffikerpromisedtobuybackhermotherandlookforherfamily.Hewastruetohiswordandgothimselfsexwithanunwilling13yearoldinreturn.TheywerebothsoldonagainandbecamefriendswithanotherNorthKoreanillegalimmigrantandplannedtheirescape.Thispartofthestoryisveryharrowingbutinteresting.FinallytheyarealmostinSouthKoreawhentheyarefoundbyChineseandKoreanmissionarieswhoarrangedfortheirpassageandpapersforSouthKorea,meanwhilethoroughlyindoctrinatingthemintoChristianityaspartoftheircompulsoryeducation-for-SouthKoreaprogramme.SouthKoreainit'sturnre-educatedherintotheirways.Withthefervourofthenewly-convertedYeonmiafterseveralyearsadjustingtolifeinSouthKoreawhichseemstohavesomeofthemostracistpeopleintheworldlivinginit,wenttoCostaRica,amissionaryherselfwithanAmericangroup.ItseemstomeshewaslookingforawayintolivingintheUS.YeonmiParkisnostrangertothemedia.Seemstomethatitwasn'tlongafterYeonmiParkgottoSouthKorea,acquiredalocal,moreacceptableaccentandsawtheGangamstyleconsumercultureandwasdrivenbyadesireforfameandmoneyherself.ShehasmarketedherstoryinatvseriesinSouthKorea(inwhichshestarred)aswellasradio,theinternetandnowprinttomuchsuccess.NowsheislivinginNewYork(areyousurprised?)Americaisthelandofmoney,mediaandmanipulationofhowweshouldthinkofothercultures.ThisharrowingstorybyaveryprettyyounggirlfitsinwellwiththeUSconstantlydemonisingNorthKorea.Itmightallbetrue,butmaybeit'snomoretrueaboutNorthKoreathanitisaboutCuba.Icouldgiveexamplesbutreadaverywell-respectedjournalist's(MaryAnnJolley'sarticleinTheDiplomatonallthediscrepanciesbetweentheauthor'svariousretellingsofherstory.Therebuttal,quiteobviouslywrittenbyaPRprofessionaltolessenthedamage.Thereisoneuntruthinitthough.YeonmiPark'swebsitethattheshesayswasn'tmeanttobelive'hadaPayPaldonatebuttononit,thatdoesn'tsay'notmeantto'tome.SodidYeonmiParkgrowupinaprofessionalfamilyhavingfunwithotherchildrenandhopesofauniversityeducationordidshegrowupeatingbeetlesinthedirestpovertywhereevenbeingsoldasaslavewasbetterthanthelifeshehad?Thetruthisprobablyamixtureofthetwo.OnlyYeonmiknowsandit'snotthatshe'snottelling,shecertainlyis,butnotnecessarilythesamestoryeverytime.(hidespoiler)] ...more flag 281likes · Like  · seereview Viewall39comments Jun25,2017 WhitneyAtkinson ratedit reallylikedit  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: read-in-2017, made-me-cry, memoir 4.5starseverythinghurtsandi'mcryingThisbookjustmakesyoutake10seats.It'sastoryIcan'tevenfathombeingin.It'slikeanactualdystopia.Everythingwassooutrageousandhauntingthatitwasalmostunbelievable.WhatIfoundmyselfenjoyingwasnotjustYeonmifindingphysicalfreedomoutsidethebordersofNorthKoreaandthehumantraffickingindustry,butthementalfreedomoflearninghowtobeopinionatedandadvocatingforothers'rights.Thisbookissotouching,butsosa 4.5starseverythinghurtsandi'mcryingThisbookjustmakesyoutake10seats.It'sastoryIcan'tevenfathombeingin.It'slikeanactualdystopia.Everythingwassooutrageousandhauntingthatitwasalmostunbelievable.WhatIfoundmyselfenjoyingwasnotjustYeonmifindingphysicalfreedomoutsidethebordersofNorthKoreaandthehumantraffickingindustry,butthementalfreedomoflearninghowtobeopinionatedandadvocatingforothers'rights.Thisbookissotouching,butsosad.Itookoffhalfastarbecausealthoughitwasaninterestingstory,thewritingwasn'tparticularlybeautifulandflowing,itwasjustokay.Becauseofthat,ittookmealittlebitlongertoreadbecauseittakeslongertogetinto,butit'snotlikeit'samajorissuebecauseafterall,englishispracticallyherthirdlanguage. ...more flag 207likes · Like  · seereview Viewall5comments Oct09,2015 April(ApriliusMaximus) ratedit itwasamazing  ·  reviewofanotheredition Ihonestlydon'tevenknowwhattosay.WhatcanyoupossiblysayafterreadingYeonmi'sstory?Completelyheartbreakingandhorrific,yetinspiringallatonce.AroundtheYearin52BooksChallengeNotes:-19.Anon-fictionbook Ihonestlydon'tevenknowwhattosay.WhatcanyoupossiblysayafterreadingYeonmi'sstory?Completelyheartbreakingandhorrific,yetinspiringallatonce.AroundtheYearin52BooksChallengeNotes:-19.Anon-fictionbook ...more flag 109likes · Like  · seereview Mar02,2016 IonutVelicu ratedit didnotlikeit  ·  reviewofanotheredition Thisreviewhasbeenhiddenbecauseitcontainsspoilers.Toviewit, clickhere. Shameless.ThisisoneofthemostfrustratingreadingsIhad,notbecausethewritingisbad(onthecontrary,thetouchofawellversededitorisobvious),butbecauseIsimplycannotunderstandhowastorythatclearlyhasALOTofholesinitcanbeheldinsuchahighregard.NothingaddsupinYeonmiPark'sbook,butnobodyseemstocare.Thisshouldbearedflagforallofus,sinceitshowsthatpeoplelookforpersonalheroesandinspiringsuccessstorieswhateverthecost.Everybodyi Shameless.ThisisoneofthemostfrustratingreadingsIhad,notbecausethewritingisbad(onthecontrary,thetouchofawellversededitorisobvious),butbecauseIsimplycannotunderstandhowastorythatclearlyhasALOTofholesinitcanbeheldinsuchahighregard.NothingaddsupinYeonmiPark'sbook,butnobodyseemstocare.Thisshouldbearedflagforallofus,sinceitshowsthatpeoplelookforpersonalheroesandinspiringsuccessstorieswhateverthecost.Everybodyismorethanreadytoacknowledgeandshowtheirsupportforyetanotherheroovercomingallobstacles,butwhataboutthehalfofthebookthatdoesn'tseemrealatall?IfParkaddssomelieshereandtheretomakeherbookmoreempoweringandappealingtothepublic,shouldn'titriseanykindofsuspicionabouttheoveralltruthfulnessofthestory?Whatifthoseliesareactuallygrossexaggerations?Parkstartsbytellingusaboutherharshchildhoodinaverymodestfamily.However,herfatherhasagreatsenseforbusiness,andstartssmugglinggoldandsuchoutofNorthKorea.Sheadmitsthathewasapartymember,butnevermentionshisrankinthere.Myguessisthathehadaverycomfortablehighposition,sinceIdoubtthatyou'dbeabletosmugglegoldoutofacommunistcountrybyonlybribinglowlevelofficialsandcops.Thisdiscreditsher"humblebeginning",andprobablySouthKoreansreachedthesameconclusionwhentheystartedcallinghertheParisHiltonofNorthKorea.Shegoesonwithherstory,andthanshementionsthatherfatherwasabletoescapeprisonbypromisinganincrediblebribetotheprisonwarden.Ofcourse,theywereverypoorandhadnosuchmoney,butthatwastheendofit.Inthemeantime,thelovethemeiscasuallyinsertedinthestory,whenarich,smart,coolandolder(Iamrunningoutofadjectives)kidfallsforthe13yearPark,despitethesocialclassgap.Soonafter,sheandhermotherescapetoChinawheretheyfallinthehandofhumantraffickers.Here,ChinesebrokersrapeKoreanwomenleftandright,buttheynevermanagetorapeParkbecauseshescreamsandkicks.I'mguessingthattheotheronesnevercameupwiththissolution...ShefinallygivesintorapewhenabigChinese"gangster"offerstohelpherentirefamilyifshesleepswithhim.ThisdealnaturallyevolvesinParkbeingthegangster'srightarminthehumantraffickingbusiness.ThisisbecauseChinesegangstersprobablydon'thaveanykindofentourage,andtheyareinneedof13yearoldstokeepthebusinessgoing.Parkmentionsthatshewasprematurelybornat7months,andthatshealwayswassmallerthantherestofthekids.However,thisdoesn'tstophertoconvinceeverybodythatsheismucholder,whilepracticallyhandlingNorthKoreanslavesacrossruralChina.Thelovethemeisthenreintroducedwiththeentranceofanewbigger"gangster"whokidnapsandalsotriestorapeher.Thepreviousgangster(practicallyherpartner)wantstogetherback,andthelovetrianglebreakswhengangwarsareclosetostartinthecityforthesakeofPark.Shereallyexpectsthereaderstobuythis...Andapparentlytheydid.Inpassingsheisalsomentioninghavinganabortion,butitprobablyisn'tthatimportantinthegrandschemeofthings.ShethenproceedstodovideochatwithhermotherinordertogainmoneytoescapetoSouthKorea.Butwhileothergirlshadtostripfortheirclients,Parkmanagedtobuildoneofthemostpopularvideochatchannelsbysimplytalkingwithhercustomers,andnevertakingherclothesoff.Butthereismore!WhilevideochattingshemeetsaniceSouthKoreanguywhofliestoChinatosimplyhelpherwithsomemoney.Then,ParkreachesSouthKoreawhereshemanagestogetfromasecondgradeleveltobeingadmittedtoaprestigiousuniversityinlittlelessthantwoyears.Hersisterdiditevenquickerthanthat,sowhat'supwiththeSouthKoreaneducationalsystem?Ofcourse,sheisbulliedinschoolbytherich,coolkids.ShethandecidestohavesomeTVappearanceshopingtofindherlonglostsister.Itdoesn'tmatterthatinsomeofthoseappearancesshewaswearingalotofmakeup(evenherclassmatesfailedtorecognizeherandfirst)andalsohadafakename.Thesearejustafewpartsofthestorythatsmellfishy.Ofcourse,YeonmiParkdidagreatjobwithherbook.Lettheroyaltiescome!Meanwhile,therestofusaregivinghercreditwhilespendingalotofmoneyonaover-hypedbook.Honestly,Iwouldhaveexpectedthatbynowsomesortofboycottshouldhavehappenedoutofrespectforactualrapevictims,humantrafficvictimsandoppressedpeopleingeneral.Iwantmy20poundsback. ...more flag 87likes · Like  · seereview Viewall30comments Feb21,2018 HeleneJeppesen ratedit itwasamazing  ·  reviewofanotheredition ThisisoneofthemostimportantbooksI’vereadinmylife!“InOrdertoLive”tellsthetruestoryofYeonmiandherfamilygrowingupinthedictatorshipofNorthKorea.Yeonmiisveryhonestfromthebeginning,andherstorytellsaboutthebraverysheandherfamilyhadtohaveinordertoescapeNorthKoreaandsurvive.IknewalittlebitaboutNorthKoreabeforehand,butthisbookwasaneye-opener!NeverhaveIimaginedwhatthetruthisactuallylikeforNorthKoreanpeople,anditwa ThisisoneofthemostimportantbooksI’vereadinmylife!“InOrdertoLive”tellsthetruestoryofYeonmiandherfamilygrowingupinthedictatorshipofNorthKorea.Yeonmiisveryhonestfromthebeginning,andherstorytellsaboutthebraverysheandherfamilyhadtohaveinordertoescapeNorthKoreaandsurvive.IknewalittlebitaboutNorthKoreabeforehand,butthisbookwasaneye-opener!NeverhaveIimaginedwhatthetruthisactuallylikeforNorthKoreanpeople,anditwasdevastatingtoreadaboutfamine,extremepoverty,andschoolswhereevenmathematicswereturnedintopropagandatoenforcetheNorthKoreanregimeanddiminishthe“nastyYankees”fromAmerica.However,thisstoryalsotellsusthenastinessofhumantraffickinginChinaandhowYeonmiandherfamilywereforcedintosituationstheyhavefeltashamedofeversince.I’mnotgoingtosayanymoreherebecauseYeonmi’saccountissimplyhonest,educatingandtrulytrulyimportant.Readthisbooktoeducateyourselfonwhatisreallygoingoninthisworld.Thisisthetruthtoldfromthesource,anditiseye-opening,devastating,butsosoimportant! ...more flag 76likes · Like  · seereview View2comments Mar24,2017 Matt ratedit itwasamazing  ·  reviewofanotheredition RecommendedtoMattby: MariahRoze Shelves: audiobook, buddy-read Shiftingfocusonthisbiographyjourneyawayfrommenwithsignificantpower,Iwantedtofindapiecethatwouldnotonlyeducate,butalsoexemplifysomeofthestrugglesofthecommonperson.ThatthisisalsoabuddyreadwithagoodfriendofmineonlyaddstotheinterestwhenitwassuggestedIreadthismemoirbyYeonmiPark.GrowingupinNorthKorea,ParkoffersthereadersomehistoryofthecountryandtheautocraticKimFamilydynasty,someofwhichdirectlyrelatedtoherownance Shiftingfocusonthisbiographyjourneyawayfrommenwithsignificantpower,Iwantedtofindapiecethatwouldnotonlyeducate,butalsoexemplifysomeofthestrugglesofthecommonperson.ThatthisisalsoabuddyreadwithagoodfriendofmineonlyaddstotheinterestwhenitwassuggestedIreadthismemoirbyYeonmiPark.GrowingupinNorthKorea,ParkoffersthereadersomehistoryofthecountryandtheautocraticKimFamilydynasty,someofwhichdirectlyrelatedtoherownancestors'story.Thereafter,Parkpersonalisesthestorytodiscussherbackstory,alifeonthecuspofabjectpovertyandgeneralservitudetotheGreatCountry,whichincludedavignetteaboutgatheringanannualfaecesquotatohelpwithcollectivefarming,alarmingandyetsomewhathumerousattimesaswell.Aftersecretlypavingthewaytomakeanescape,ParkandhermothercrossasmalltributaryintoChina,wherethingsareanythingbutmannafromheaven.SupportingapolicyofreturningNorthKoreandefectors,theChineseareonthelookoutforthosewhomighthavesnuckacrosstheborder.ParkexploresthetreacherythatawaitedherinChinaandalifethatparalleledtheagonyofNorthKoreawhenshefoundherselfbeingtrafficked.ItwasonlyafirmmotivationtomakeherwaytoSouthKoreathatkeptYeonmistrongandpreparedforfreedom,adreamthatChristianmissionariessoughttofulfil.Whilemanytakefreedomforgranted,ParkoffersaninterestingperspectiveofSouthKoreanfreedom,whichmightprovidemuchsobrietyforthereader.Fulloftearsandangst,Parkdoesnotcoatherstorywithflowerytalesandsing-songmoments,whiletransitioningfromthedarkestcornersofonecountryaboutwhichtheworldknowssolittle.Apowerfulpiecethatpullsontheheartstringsofallbutthemostdetachedreaders,Parkprovidesadegreeofdeterminationthatnoobstacleisinsurmountable.IwentintothisbooksurethatIwouldcomeoutwithatonofinformationgroundedinreality,notsolelywesternpropagandaseekingtokicktheKimfamilyaroundandexploittheirsuppressiveways.Toheardirectlyfromonewhohaslivedintheseconditionsandseenthehorrorsofstarvationspeaksvolumestome.Ifoundmyselfneedingtokeepmyacademichatfirmlyinplaceandremindmyselfthatsomeonehassynthesisedthisbookbeforeitwenttoprint,eventhoughParkprofessestohaveastronggripontheEnglishlanguagebythetimeshecompletedherdraft.Addinglayersofoppressionandmakingthelightoffreedomlookallthebetterwillsellbooks,especiallytocomplementthemediareportsofincreasedaggressionandassassinationoffamilialmembers,thoughpartofmecouldnothelpbutacceptthestoriesthatfillthesepagesasbeingmorerealisticthanreserve-propaganda.Fullofthedarksidesthatthesetypesofstorieshavetooffer,thereadermuststomachdeath,neglect,rape,andevencriticismofthatwhichmanyofustakeforgranted.Park'ssurprisingopennessabouttheproblemswithfreedomshouldnotbetakenlightlybythereader,asshemakesastrongcaseabouttheperilsofremovingthosewhohadnochoicesandsupersaturatingthemwithoptionsandpathways.Thestorywasherown,butaddingafamilialelementhelpedstrengthenitsdeliveryandpermittedthereadertoseehowdesperatesomeweretoleaveNorthKorea,thattheywouldabandonfamilytopavethewaytowardsabetterlife.Anunderlyingthemeofpoliticalideologysurelyfindsitswayintothediscussion,fromtheKoreanWar,Soviet-stylecommunism,totheeventualisolatedsentimentalitythatevenMaowouldnothaverecognised.OneislefttowonderwhatwouldbebestforNorthKoreans,especiallysincemostappearlessthantrulyhappy,ifoneistobelievetheaccountsthatParkoffersherein.Shouldpeoplebeoppressedorliveinasocietythatdoesnotofferdemocracyforallcitizens?Thatisuptothereadertodecide,thoughParkprovideswonderfulinsighttoopenasubstantialdebate.Kudos,MadamParkforthishonestportrayalofthepainsofyourmotherlandandtryingtorecalibrateinasocietyonlytoohappytopileonthecriticism.Youaremonumentallystrongforallyouhaveseenandweathered.Ihopeyouwillprovideafollow-upintheyearstocome.Love/hatethereview?Anever-growingcollectionofothersappearsat:http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/ ...more flag 72likes · Like  · seereview Viewall12comments Oct27,2015 SarahChurchill ratedit itwasamazing  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: books-i-own, received-for-review I'mnotnormallyanautobiographyfan.Imostlyreadfiction.ButYeonmi'sstoryisjust...youknowhowtheysaytruthisstrangerthanfiction?That.WehavetobearinmindherethatImetthelovely,kindandhumbleladyherselfbeforeIreadthis.I'llholdmyhandsupthatthatprobablyhadanimpactonhowmuchthisbooktouchedme.SplitintothreepartstodocumentherescapefromNorthKorea,setinNK,ChinaandSouthKorea,theaccountisheartbreaking,fascinatingandpunctuatedbyth I'mnotnormallyanautobiographyfan.Imostlyreadfiction.ButYeonmi'sstoryisjust...youknowhowtheysaytruthisstrangerthanfiction?That.WehavetobearinmindherethatImetthelovely,kindandhumbleladyherselfbeforeIreadthis.I'llholdmyhandsupthatthatprobablyhadanimpactonhowmuchthisbooktouchedme.SplitintothreepartstodocumentherescapefromNorthKorea,setinNK,ChinaandSouthKorea,theaccountisheartbreaking,fascinatingandpunctuatedbytheoddbitofhumourthattranslatesperfectlyfromthepersonalityImet-shelearnedearlytohidehersufferingbehindamask.AfrighteningandfascinatinglookintolifeinsideNorthKoreaundertheKims'rule,humantraffickinginChinaandthe'reeducaion'ofdefectorsinSouthKorea,IfeelprivilegedtohavemetYeonmi,andwishhereveryluckintheworldinherfighttofindjusticeandreuniteKorea. ...more flag 67likes · Like  · seereview View1comment May19,2021 OliveFellows(abookolive) ratedit reallylikedit  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: memoir I'msixyearslatetothisparty,but-nosurpriseshere-thiswasheartbreakingandinspiring. I'msixyearslatetothisparty,but-nosurpriseshere-thiswasheartbreakingandinspiring. ...more flag 62likes · Like  · seereview Aug09,2018 Umut ratedit itwasamazing  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: favorites-2018, favorites-all-time WOW!Thisbookwasjustimpactfulbecauseit'sfullofaveryyoungwoman'sstrength,enduranceandemotions.Ilovedeverybitofit,andIadmireParkwithallmyheart.Fullreviewcomingsoon. WOW!Thisbookwasjustimpactfulbecauseit'sfullofaveryyoungwoman'sstrength,enduranceandemotions.Ilovedeverybitofit,andIadmireParkwithallmyheart.Fullreviewcomingsoon. ...more flag 52likes · Like  · seereview View2comments Sep29,2017 Sara ratedit reallylikedit  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: biographies-and-memoirs, non-fiction, library-loan I’vereadafewbooksfromNorthKoreadefectors.MostnoticeablyARiverinDarkness:OneMan'sEscapefromNorthKoreaandNothingtoEnvy:OrdinaryLivesinNorthKorea,butIhadn’treallyreadanythingfromapurelyfemaleperspectiveuntilnow.YeonmiParkgrewupinNorthKorea,neartheborderwithChina,withherentrepreneurialfather,motherandsister.Althoughtheymaynothaveinitiallyhadtheworstupbringingduetoherfather’singenuity,thischangedwhenhewassenttoprison, I’vereadafewbooksfromNorthKoreadefectors.MostnoticeablyARiverinDarkness:OneMan'sEscapefromNorthKoreaandNothingtoEnvy:OrdinaryLivesinNorthKorea,butIhadn’treallyreadanythingfromapurelyfemaleperspectiveuntilnow.YeonmiParkgrewupinNorthKorea,neartheborderwithChina,withherentrepreneurialfather,motherandsister.Althoughtheymaynothaveinitiallyhadtheworstupbringingduetoherfather’singenuity,thischangedwhenhewassenttoprison,leavingYeonmiandhersisteralonewithoutfoodwhiletheirmothertravelledforwork.Whatfollowsisthenowtypical,andharrowing,taleofstarvationanddesperationtosurviveinacountrythatdoesn’tcarefortheirownoutsideoftheelite.Yeonmitalksopenlyofachildhoodspentsearchingforfoodandconstantlylivinginfearthattheycouldfollowintheirfather’sfootsteps.Desperatetosurvive.Desperationturnstoflight,asYeonmiandhermotheraresmuggledintoChina,andtoperhapsanevenworsefatethanstarvationastheysoonbecomeembroiledinthetraffickingandrapingofNorthKoreanwomentoimpoverishedChinesefarmers.Throughoutherstory,Yeonmiishonestandopenaboutherexperiencestothepointwhereitalmostfeelscathartic.BysharingherstoryitfeelslikeYeonmiisexpressingnotonlyherdisappointmentinherhomecountry,butalsohergriefandresiliencetothrive.Anditalsogiveshopetothosestillstruggling.ThebookalsoreallyhighlightsjusthowdifferenttheexperienceofdefectingisforNorthKoreanwomencomparedtomen.Oftenthemendothisalone,andareexposedtoharshandviolentendings.Thewomenenduretheirownuniquehorrorsthatseemtorevolvearoundthisfeelingofpowerlessnessandrelianceontheircaptors,butoftenit’salongsideotherwomenwhosharetheirplight.ForYeonmi,shehadhermother.ThemostsurprisingaspectformewerethelaterchapterscenteringaroundSouthKorea.I’dreadpreviouslyofthestrugglesfirstencounteredbyNorthKoreansduringtheirassimilationintoSouthKoreanlife,howeverIwasn’tfullyawareoftheprejudices,andalsothelackofunderstanding,thatYeonmifacesonencounteringnativeSouthKoreans.Thisseemstobenofaultonthegovernmentsside,astheyprovideeducationandmoneytohelpeasethepressures,butratherjustageneralignorancetotheplightofdefectors.Itwouldseem,fromYeonmi’sperspective,thattheychoosetoburytheirheadsinthesandtotherealsufferingacrosstheirborders.IfounditespeciallysadthatYeonmifelttheneedtoburyallaspectsofherNorthKoreanheritage-fromheraccent,tostudying‘celebrities’justinordertofitinandbeaccepted.TherealsentimentI’lltakeawayfromthishowever,isjusthowstrongthefamilialbondcanbe.Yeonmiandhermotherfacesomuchadversitythroughtheirlives,andcontinuetolookfortheirmissingsisteranddaughterlongaftertheirarrivalinSouthKorea.Theirbondneverwaivers,andthelovetheyhaveforeachotherisunending. ...more flag 43likes · Like  · seereview View2comments Dec02,2016 Hilly♡ ratedit itwasamazing  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: korea, non-fiction 4.5starsIncredibleandheartbreakingstory.IwantedtowriteareviewbuthonestlyIdon'tthinkI'lleverbeableto.Inmyopinionit'simpossibletowritecriticismaboutabooklikethis.I'mhappyIreadthisandthatIknowalittlebitmoreofwhathappensintheworld.SincenooneevertalksabouttheconditionsofNKI'mgoingto.EveryoneIknowwilllistentometalkingaboutthishugeproblem.IhadpreviouslyreadEscapefromCamp14,butIneededsomeinformationaboutwomeninNK, 4.5starsIncredibleandheartbreakingstory.IwantedtowriteareviewbuthonestlyIdon'tthinkI'lleverbeableto.Inmyopinionit'simpossibletowritecriticismaboutabooklikethis.I'mhappyIreadthisandthatIknowalittlebitmoreofwhathappensintheworld.SincenooneevertalksabouttheconditionsofNKI'mgoingto.EveryoneIknowwilllistentometalkingaboutthishugeproblem.IhadpreviouslyreadEscapefromCamp14,butIneededsomeinformationaboutwomeninNK,andthisbookwasperfectforthat.Btwdon'tletpeoplefoolyou.InsteadofhelpingYeonmiandpraisingherforwhatshe'sdoingforhercountry,peoplethathavenoideaaboutwhatshewentthrougharelyingtellingtheworldthatsheisafraud.Andthat'sexactlywhatNKwantsyoutothink.Everyonethatisdoingthisshouldbeashamedofhimself/herself.WatchtheseamazingTEDtalks:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdxPC...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLeeT... ...more flag 42likes · Like  · seereview Viewall8comments Jul22,2021 Zainab ratedit itwasamazing  ·  reviewofanotheredition Readthistogetmyselfoutoftheslump,insteaditputmeintothestateofdepression flag 42likes · Like  · seereview Viewall6comments Feb08,2021 Abby ratedit itwasamazing  ·  reviewofanotheredition Breathtaking. flag 39likes · Like  · seereview Feb20,2016 Leonie ratedit reallylikedit  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: non-fiction, best-of-2016 Thiswassuchaninsightfulstory.Bothterriblyhorrificandbeautifullyinspiring.Imnotgivingthisbookastar-ratingbecauseitfeelsoddto'rate'astorythatisreal.Idowanttorecommendittoeveryonewhoisevenremotelyinterested.Don'tbehesistantbecauseit'snon-fiction;it'sveryreadableandapproachable.I'llbethinkingaboutthisforalongtime. Thiswassuchaninsightfulstory.Bothterriblyhorrificandbeautifullyinspiring.Imnotgivingthisbookastar-ratingbecauseitfeelsoddto'rate'astorythatisreal.Idowanttorecommendittoeveryonewhoisevenremotelyinterested.Don'tbehesistantbecauseit'snon-fiction;it'sveryreadableandapproachable.I'llbethinkingaboutthisforalongtime. ...more flag 35likes · Like  · seereview View1comment Oct30,2016 Katie ratedit itwasamazing  ·  reviewofanotheredition I'llhaveareviewofthisupnextweek! I'llhaveareviewofthisupnextweek! ...more flag 35likes · Like  · seereview View1comment Dec24,2016 MariahRoze ratedit itwasamazing  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: diversity-in-all-forms-book-club IreadthisbookfortheGoodreadsbookclubDiversityinAllForms.Jointhediscussion:https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...IamverygladwereadthisbookbecauseNorthKoreaisacountryIknowverylittleabout.Thisbookwassupereyeopening.IalsohadneverheardofthehumantraffickinginChina,especiallythetraffickingofNorthKoreans.BookslikethesearethereasonIread.Ilovehavingmyeyesandworldopen.Theymotivatemetomakeadifferenceandachange,evenifIcan IreadthisbookfortheGoodreadsbookclubDiversityinAllForms.Jointhediscussion:https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...IamverygladwereadthisbookbecauseNorthKoreaisacountryIknowverylittleabout.Thisbookwassupereyeopening.IalsohadneverheardofthehumantraffickinginChina,especiallythetraffickingofNorthKoreans.BookslikethesearethereasonIread.Ilovehavingmyeyesandworldopen.Theymotivatemetomakeadifferenceandachange,evenifIcanonlycontributeinsmallways.I'maSpecialEducationTeacherthatteacheshighschoolerswithcognitive/intellectualdisabilitiesandIstartedabookclubaboutdiversity.BothofthesethingsaresmallbuttheyhelpmefeellikeI'mmakingevenasmalldifference.Thisbookalsoreconfirmswhyweneedtotreatimmigrantsandrefugeeswithrespect,helpandunderstanding.Ascitizensl,ofanycountry,weneedtowelcomeothersandhelpthemadjust.Theyhavebeenthroughsomuchandneedus.Isuggestthisbooktoeveryone!!! ...more flag 34likes · Like  · seereview Viewall10comments Mar03,2018 chloe ratedit itwasamazing  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: best-audiobooks, 5-stars, 2018-reads, audiobooks “Iinhaledbookslikeotherpeoplebreatheoxygen.Ididn'tjustreadforknowledgeorpleasure,Ireadtolive.” Wow.Thisbookwasincredible.WhatYeonmiParkandmanyotherNorthKoreanshavegonethroughissimplyhorrificandinhumane.Sheissobravetotellherstoryandshinelightonthisissue.Ifelttrulyinspiredlisteningtothisbook.EverythingthatYeonmiParkhasovercomeandeverythingshehasachievedsinceherescapeisincredible.Itrulythinkeveryoneshouldreadthi “Iinhaledbookslikeotherpeoplebreatheoxygen.Ididn'tjustreadforknowledgeorpleasure,Ireadtolive.” Wow.Thisbookwasincredible.WhatYeonmiParkandmanyotherNorthKoreanshavegonethroughissimplyhorrificandinhumane.Sheissobravetotellherstoryandshinelightonthisissue.Ifelttrulyinspiredlisteningtothisbook.EverythingthatYeonmiParkhasovercomeandeverythingshehasachievedsinceherescapeisincredible.Itrulythinkeveryoneshouldreadthisbookandwillbenefitfromit.Ibelieveitissoimportanttoeducateourselvesonthisissue. ...more flag 31likes · Like  · seereview Jan20,2016 LizJanet ratedit likedit  ·  reviewofanotheredition Wearealwaysworriedaboutadystopiayettocome,withoutrealizing,thatinsomeplacesacrosstheworld,thesystemalreadyexists.Therearetwothingstotakefromthisbook.1)Thestrugglesomepeoplearoundtheworldhavetoendurecomparedtotherelaxedliveswehave,and2)Humanresiliencecanovercomeall,andthatintimesoftrouble,therewillstillbegoodpeopleouttherewillingtohelp. flag 32likes · Like  · seereview View1comment May18,2017 Sara➽InkIsMySword ratedit itwasamazing  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: non-fiction, memoirs, emotional 5UnbelievableStarsAfterreading,andwhilereadingthisbookIkeptgoing...........Ijustcouldn'tspeakfromallthehorrorsshewentthroughinherlife.Ikeptaskingmyself,"Ifthatwasme,wouldIbeabletosurvive?"YeonmiwentthroughalltheunimaginablenightmareswhenshewasONLY13yearsold,andshewasstrongenoughtosurviveandtellusherstorytodayandhelpsusseetherealityourworldisleavingtoday.Becausewhilewearehere,readingaboutfictionaldystopian 5UnbelievableStarsAfterreading,andwhilereadingthisbookIkeptgoing...........Ijustcouldn'tspeakfromallthehorrorsshewentthroughinherlife.Ikeptaskingmyself,"Ifthatwasme,wouldIbeabletosurvive?"YeonmiwentthroughalltheunimaginablenightmareswhenshewasONLY13yearsold,andshewasstrongenoughtosurviveandtellusherstorytodayandhelpsusseetherealityourworldisleavingtoday.Becausewhilewearehere,readingaboutfictionaldystopianworlds,therearerealhumanbeingsouttherelivinginones.Thisbookletsusfeelthepainfulrealityandshameofourlives,howwedon'tthinksometimeshowabsurdwethinkwhenwearemakingatantrumjustbecauseastoredoesn'thavetheflavoroficecreamwewant,whileinNorthKoreapeopledon'tevenconsumemilk,isacrazythingright?Thisisamostread,justforthesakeofhumanity<3 ...more flag 32likes · Like  · seereview Viewall3comments Jan02,2016 Karatepop ratedit itwasok  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: biographies-and-memoirs, north-korea IfyouaregoingtoreadthebookIwouldrecommendavoidingarticlesandinterviewsuntilyou'redone.YeonmiPark'sstoryiscertainlyharrowing.Sheispartofwhatisreferredtoasthe'BlackMarketGeneration',youngNorthKoreansbornduring/afterthefamine,NorthKoreanswhodon'thavethesameconnectiontoKimIl-sung(notonlybecausehewaslongdead,butbecausetheyneverexperiencedasuccessful/functioningNorthKorea).Thankstoherfather'scunningandbusinesssense,sheandh IfyouaregoingtoreadthebookIwouldrecommendavoidingarticlesandinterviewsuntilyou'redone.YeonmiPark'sstoryiscertainlyharrowing.Sheispartofwhatisreferredtoasthe'BlackMarketGeneration',youngNorthKoreansbornduring/afterthefamine,NorthKoreanswhodon'thavethesameconnectiontoKimIl-sung(notonlybecausehewaslongdead,butbecausetheyneverexperiencedasuccessful/functioningNorthKorea).Thankstoherfather'scunningandbusinesssense,sheandherfamilymanagedarelativelymiddleclasslifestyledespitetheirbadsongbun.Andthenthefaminehappened.Andthingsgotworse.Andworse.Orsothebooksays.Therearequestionsbeingaskedabouthowtruthfulheraccountofthestory,herownstory,is.Inanutshell,herstoryhaschangedmultipletimesandinprettymajorways(likeescapingwithvs.withoutherfather,eatingdragonfliesandgrassvs.not).Ihavemixedfeelings.Shehasnotadmittedtolying,rathersheexplainsitallawayinthebook(andinofficialresponses)asherhavingbeenashamed,justnotremembering,orbeingconfused.Asfarasthebookgoes,whetherit'strueornot,thesethingshappentopeopleescapingNorthKorea-womenandchildrenaresold,peoplearebeatenandtortured,peopleategrass,peoplewitnessedexecutionsandlovedonesstarvingtodeath.IwasabouthalfwaythroughthebookwhenIdecidedIwantedtowatchaninterviewofhers,becausecertainthings-theextremelymelodramaticdialogue(twomensayingthey'll"gotowar"overheramongotherthings),herseeminglycrucialroleineveryone'slife,andasidefromherfamily'suniquestatussheexperiencesjustabouteverythingI'veeverheardofverypoorNorthKoreansexperiencing.LikeachecklistofBadStuff.TheinterviewIwatchedhappenedtobeanolderoneandthat'showIlearnedoftheinconsistencies.IGoogledandfoundafewarticles-oneverygoodoneonthediplomat.com(though,itdoesuseexpertsandotherdefectorstoconfirmherstoryisoff,theyalsouseamanwhotravelledthereandexplored"freely"whileonbusiness..hecankickrocks).Ineverexpectabiographyormemoirtobe100%true-memoryissimplynotthatreliable.AssomeonewhohasexperiencedvariousformsofassaultIalsounderstandifsomethingshaveonlyrecentlycomeoutbecauseshewasashamedoruncomfortabletalkingaboutthem.Notalloftheallegedliesarehuge,manyaresmallerandwouldn'thaveagreatdealofimpactonthestoryanyway;however,thelargeoneswould.Ifherfatherfledwiththem(asshe'ssaiduntilrecently),thendidtherapehappen?Weretheysold?Didshehelpahumantrafficker?Didhisconnectionshelpthem?Smallinconsistencyinthebook:Onpage139shesaysshehasnopicturesofherfatherwithher,fiftypageslatershesayshermothergoestoretrieveherfather'sashesandandasmallpacketoffamilyphotos.Attheendofthebooktherearephotosofherfatherincluded.Wheredidthesecomefrom?Didsheliethere?Didhersisterhavethem?Maybe.Idon'tknow.Notsuchabigdeal.EveryoneinNorthKoreaissufferinginsomeway.Noteveryonewas/iseatinggrass,butmanywere/are,andeventhosewhoaren'twantout.Theirstrugglesandfearsarelegitimateaswell.Iwishdefectorsweren'tbeingcoachedorchangingtheirstoryontheirown,sothatthenarrativeoftheirlifefittedwhatwewantedtohear,orneedtohear,inordertofeeltheneedtohelporcare. ...more flag 29likes · Like  · seereview View2comments Nov05,2016 Aoife ratedit itwasamazing  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: my-bookshelf, adult, tear-jerker, memoir, gryffindor, non-fiction, survivor-story Videoreview:https://bit.ly/2ALL4SiYeonmiParkwasonly21yearsoldwhenshebeganwritinghermemoirInOrdertoLivewhichtellsthetaleofhowsheandhermotherescapedfromaterriblelifeinNorthKorea,tobecapturedbyhumantraffickersinChinaandeventuallytravelacrossadeserttoMongoliatofindsafetyinSouthKorea.IhavejustfinishedthisbookandI’mleftwithathroatfulloftearsforthiswonderful,amazinggirlandhercourageandpowertotalkoutaboutthingsthat Videoreview:https://bit.ly/2ALL4SiYeonmiParkwasonly21yearsoldwhenshebeganwritinghermemoirInOrdertoLivewhichtellsthetaleofhowsheandhermotherescapedfromaterriblelifeinNorthKorea,tobecapturedbyhumantraffickersinChinaandeventuallytravelacrossadeserttoMongoliatofindsafetyinSouthKorea.IhavejustfinishedthisbookandI’mleftwithathroatfulloftearsforthiswonderful,amazinggirlandhercourageandpowertotalkoutaboutthingsthathavehappenedtothousandsofpeople.IthoughtIhadanideaofwhatlifemustbelikeinNorthKorea.WehaveseenthearticlesandthedocumentariesandthenewsbroadcastsaboutKimJongUnbutnothingpreparedmefortherealityYeonmispokeaboutinherbook.Sheisonlytwoyearsyoungerthanmeandtothinkthatshewasfreezingcoldinherhouse,almoststarvingtodeathwhileIwasprobablyvisitingthezoowithmyfamilyorsnuggledinbedreadingHarryPotterisjustinsanetome.Herstoryreally,reallytouchedmeandIcanreallyseethespecialpowershehastobringthisstorytolightandmakepeopleperkupandpayattention.YeonmiPark’svoiceissobrutallyhonestinthismemoir.Shereallytellsithowitwasandeventhoughshehadtorelivesomehorriblememories,sheputthemdownforeveryonetosee-sheevenspokeabouthowherfather,likemostNorthKoreanmen,beathermotherattimeswhichmusthavebeenhardforhertowriteconsideringthereactionthiswouldhaveintheWesternworldandherfatherwasherhero.YeonmimanagedtocaptureherstoryinanhonestandbeautifulwaythatleftmespeechlessandemotionalbutIreallywastouchedbytheclarityandpurityofherwriting.Aftereverythingshehasbeenthrough,Yeonmicanstillseethebeautyinlife,thekindnessinpeopleandjoyinsimplethingssuchaseducationandsimplybeingfreetochoose.Sheisanabsoluteinspirationandsheisdefinitelysomeonetowatchassheisgoingtobecomeevengreaterthansheistoday. ...more flag 26likes · Like  · seereview Viewall3comments Aug05,2015 Virginia ratedit itwasamazing  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: favorites Wow.Justwow.Thisgirlisonly21yearsoldandhaslivedalifethatmostofuscouldneverfathom.BornandraisedinNorthKorea,shewasbrainwashedtobelievetheBenevolentDictatorFamily,theKims,couldreadhermindandwascautiousofanynegativethoughtsshemayhaveabouthercountry.That'showcontrolledherlifewas.Duetoanincredibleseriesofeventsperformedbyherwholefamilyinordertolive,ParkescapestoChinawheresheandhermotherarecapturedandsoldintosl Wow.Justwow.Thisgirlisonly21yearsoldandhaslivedalifethatmostofuscouldneverfathom.BornandraisedinNorthKorea,shewasbrainwashedtobelievetheBenevolentDictatorFamily,theKims,couldreadhermindandwascautiousofanynegativethoughtsshemayhaveabouthercountry.That'showcontrolledherlifewas.Duetoanincredibleseriesofeventsperformedbyherwholefamilyinordertolive,ParkescapestoChinawheresheandhermotherarecapturedandsoldintoslavery.However,Parkknowsthatsheismeantformorethancaptivityandmanagestosavehermotherandherself.TheyembarkonaterrifyingjourneytoseeksafetyinSouthKorea,crossingtheGobiDesertintoMongoliaandflyingtoalandshe'dbeentoldwasfullof"Evil."ThecontrastsParklaysdownbetweenwhatshegrewuplearningandtherealworldareeye-opening.HerwritingreallytransportsyouintoNorthKoreaandyou'refightingforsurvivalrightalongwithher.Theendingisbeautifulandhopeful.Ireallyamhonoredtoreadherstoryandyouwillbetoo.She'sanamazingwomanwithanamazingstory. ...more flag 26likes · Like  · seereview Feb02,2020 Jananie(thisstoryaintover) addedit  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: books-i-own "Weallhaveourowndeserts.Theymaynotbethesameasmydesert,butweallhavetocrossthemtofindapurposeinlifeandbefree."OneofthemostheartbreakingthingsI'veeverreadbutalsothemostmovingandinspiring.IcannotexpresstheemotionsIfeelbutIamjustsogratefulthatYeonmisharedherstory. "Weallhaveourowndeserts.Theymaynotbethesameasmydesert,butweallhavetocrossthemtofindapurposeinlifeandbefree."OneofthemostheartbreakingthingsI'veeverreadbutalsothemostmovingandinspiring.IcannotexpresstheemotionsIfeelbutIamjustsogratefulthatYeonmisharedherstory. ...more flag 26likes · Like  · seereview Nov07,2015 Mari ratedit reallylikedit  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: 2015, non-fiction ItalkaboutthisbookinmyNovemberreadingwrap-upvideo.Don'tworryaboutmyratingforthisbook.Howdoyourateastorylikethis,abooklikethis?Idon'tknow.Idon'tknowatall.WhatIdoknowisthatIwasunabletoputdownYeonmi'sstoryonceIpickeditup.ItatoncegavemeaglimpseintoalifeinaplaceIknewnothingabout,hadneverreallythoughtabout,couldneverimagineevenifItried.Yeonmi'sstoryisincredibleandit'sthekindofstorythatmakesyouthink,that ItalkaboutthisbookinmyNovemberreadingwrap-upvideo.Don'tworryaboutmyratingforthisbook.Howdoyourateastorylikethis,abooklikethis?Idon'tknow.Idon'tknowatall.WhatIdoknowisthatIwasunabletoputdownYeonmi'sstoryonceIpickeditup.ItatoncegavemeaglimpseintoalifeinaplaceIknewnothingabout,hadneverreallythoughtabout,couldneverimagineevenifItried.Yeonmi'sstoryisincredibleandit'sthekindofstorythatmakesyouthink,thatputsthingsintoperspectiveandthatmakesyouwanteverysinglepersontoreadit,evenifit'sonlytobeexposedtoalifeoutsideoftheirpurview.Imentionedthisinmyvideoandtheyaren'tcomplaints,butjusttwoobservationstokeepinmindasyougointothestory:1-It'stoldinquiteplainlanguage.Alloftheemotionalcomplexitycomesfromtheevents,asthewayYeonmitellsthestoryisstraightforwardand2-detached.This,especiallyinthebeginning,canhaveasenseofdetachment.Youcanalmostfeelthewayshehashadtocompartmentalizeinordertotellthisstory.Thestoryisnolesstouchingforthewayitleavesalittlebitofspacebetweenthereaderandthetragedy,butthatspace,tome,didexist.I'mnottypicallyahugenon-fictionreader,butforanyonewhowantstodipatoeintothegenre,hereisanimportantyetaccessibleread. ...more flag 25likes · Like  · seereview Oct31,2015 KittyGBooks ratedit itwasamazing  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: non-fiction IwassentthisbooktoreviewbyPenguinafterIsentarequestaskingtoreceiveitbecauseIwasinterestedinreadingitandhearingYeonmi'sstory,butIwillalwaysgivemyhonestopinionandforthisbookthatwaseasytodo.I,likemanyotherswholiveinthemodern,Westernpartoftheworld,knewverylittleaboutNorthKoreabeforeIwassentthisbook.IhadwatchedoneortwodocumentariesandIknewthingswerebad,butIhadn'tyethadthechancetopickupandreadanactualacc IwassentthisbooktoreviewbyPenguinafterIsentarequestaskingtoreceiveitbecauseIwasinterestedinreadingitandhearingYeonmi'sstory,butIwillalwaysgivemyhonestopinionandforthisbookthatwaseasytodo.I,likemanyotherswholiveinthemodern,Westernpartoftheworld,knewverylittleaboutNorthKoreabeforeIwassentthisbook.IhadwatchedoneortwodocumentariesandIknewthingswerebad,butIhadn'tyethadthechancetopickupandreadanactualaccountofsomeone'stimelivingthereforetheymanagedtoescapeandwhenIsawthatthisbookhadcomeouttiseemedliketheperfecttime.Thisbookisdividedintothreeparts;NorthKorea,ChinaandSeoul.ThesearethethreeplacesthatYeonmiandherfamilytriedtosurviveandescapefrominordertomakeanewlifeandhomeforthemselvesinSeoulattheend.AlongthewayyoufollowYeonmiasshetellsyouaboutwhathappenedtoherineachoftheseplaces,andwhilstthewritingdoesfeelratherdetachedinthefirstpart,thesecondandthirdwerelesssoandbytheendofthebookIwascryingalongwithYeonmiandherfamily!Ithinkit'shardto'rate'someone'sactuallifestory,butYeonmiisspecialbecausewhatshe'sbeenthroughhasn'tbeeneasy,andyetshenotonlyhasrecoveredandmadesomethingofherself,shehasalsomadeherselfatargetofNorthKoreabybecominganactivistandtryingtoinformpeopleabouttherealconditionsofNorthKorearightnow.ThebiggestfeelingIhadwhilstreadingmostofherstorywasthatitcouldn'tbereal,itmustbefictional,becauseofcoursethesesortsofterriblethingscan'tbehappeningstill...buttheyare.UntilIreadthisIcouldn'tcomprehendtheseverityoftheNorthKoreanregimeandthewaythatpeopletherearetaughttobelieveintheKimleadersofervently,butnowIunderstandYeonmi,IseethatshewasjustoneofmanyandmanymorewhoarestillnowtrappedbackinNorthKorea.Herjourneywasadangerousoneandabrutalone,butnowit'sanessentialonebecauseitsavedherlife,thelifeofherfamily,andit'salsogivinghopeforthosestilltrappedandraisingawarenesstopeoplelikemewhowouldotherwisehavebarelyknownwhathappensthere.Iwouldsaythatthisisafantasticlittlebook,Ireaditallinaday,andthatthewritingisdonecleverlytogradually,slowlydrawyouinsothatbytheendyou'rerighttherewithYeonmi,hopingforachangefortheothersleftbehind.IwouldstronglyrecommendeducatingyourselfaboutNorthKoreaifyouknowlittle,andthisisagreatwaytodoso.Igavethisa5*sbecausebytheendIhadtearsstreamingdownmyfaceandIfullyintendtowatchsomeofhertalks,althoughIknowIwillcrythroughthosetoo.Sometimesit'sgoodtocryifitmeansyouconnect,empathiseandwantthebestforpeople,andthisisoneofthosecases.She'salittleolderthanme,andthatstruckachordwithmeforsure,she'sbeenthroughsomuchIhaven'thadtogothrough,andyetshe'sverycloseinagetome...It'sabrilliantbook,youshouldreadit... ...more flag 25likes · Like  · seereview View1comment Nov02,2018 Theresa ratedit itwasamazing  ·  reviewofanotheredition Thiswasabsolutelyphenomenal.Ihadnoideaofabout90%ofthethingshappeninginNorthKorea.Itsoundslikeacountrythatsomeonemadeuponadrughigh,tobecompletelyhonest.Absolutelymind-bogglinghowsomethinglikethisstillexistsinthe21stcentury.YeonmiParkisliterallyonlyabouttwoweeksolderthanme,buthashadalifeofmorehardshipsandstrugglingthananyoneshouldeverhavetoputupwith.Ican'tevenbegintoimaginewhatshewentthrough.Butthentoalsobeb Thiswasabsolutelyphenomenal.Ihadnoideaofabout90%ofthethingshappeninginNorthKorea.Itsoundslikeacountrythatsomeonemadeuponadrughigh,tobecompletelyhonest.Absolutelymind-bogglinghowsomethinglikethisstillexistsinthe21stcentury.YeonmiParkisliterallyonlyabouttwoweeksolderthanme,buthashadalifeofmorehardshipsandstrugglingthananyoneshouldeverhavetoputupwith.Ican'tevenbegintoimaginewhatshewentthrough.Butthentoalsobebraveenoughtowriteabookaboutitallisjustextremelyimpressive.Icouldn'tputthisdown,itwasfantasticallywrittenandthestorysherecountsisabsolutelyheartbreaking. ...more flag 24likes · Like  · seereview Nov06,2015 SamQuixote addedit  ·  reviewofanotheredition I’vealwaysbeencuriousaboutlifeinNorthKoreabutdidn’treallymakeanefforttofindoutjusthowweirdandharrowingitwasuntilIsawYeonmiPark’sInOrdertoLive-amemoirofagirlwhogrewupinNorthKorea,defected,andnowlivesinSouthKorea-anddecidedtofindout.Well…Ifoundout.Weirdandharrowingdoesn’tcomeclose.ThebookopenswithateenageParkandhermothertryingtomakeitacrosstheNorthKorea/Chinaborderinthemiddleofthenight,bribingguardsandr I’vealwaysbeencuriousaboutlifeinNorthKoreabutdidn’treallymakeanefforttofindoutjusthowweirdandharrowingitwasuntilIsawYeonmiPark’sInOrdertoLive-amemoirofagirlwhogrewupinNorthKorea,defected,andnowlivesinSouthKorea-anddecidedtofindout.Well…Ifoundout.Weirdandharrowingdoesn’tcomeclose.ThebookopenswithateenageParkandhermothertryingtomakeitacrosstheNorthKorea/Chinaborderinthemiddleofthenight,bribingguardsandriskingeverything.Hermothermakesthemenontheborderrapeherinsteadofherdaughter.Ohno…That’stheopeninggambit-that’sahintatthelevelofmiseryinstore.Forabriefmoment,Park’sdepictionofherchildhoodinruralNorthKoreaalmostsoundsquaint,ifstrangelyanachronistic,likemedievalpeasantssomehowstillexisted-thequiet,thefocusoncommunity,theclosenessofherfamily-andthenthefaminehits.Sheseesstick-thincorpsesnearwellswhohadtriedtogettosomewater,peopleareeatinggrassfornourishment,andoneyoungmanisexecutedforkillingandeatingacow-aperson’slifehaslessvaluethancattle.Parkmentionsthestoryofhergrandmother’sdeath.Anamputee,thegrandmother,whocouldn’twork,feltsoguiltyovereatinghermorseloffoodeachday,shechoseinsteadtocommitsuicidethaneatfoodthatcouldgotoherchildrenandtheirfamilies.Sheoverdosedonmethandwenttosleepforever.Whymeth?There’snomedicineinNorthKoreaandtheonlypainkillertheyhavethat’scheapandeffectiveisthisstreetdrug.Herfatherhadtoresorttosmugglingtokeephisfamilyfed-untilhe’scaught,senttoadetentioncamp,andthenit’sdowntohermothertomakemoneyforthefamily.Theycan’tmakemoneyintheruralvillagewheretheylive,eachparenthadtogotoPyongyangtoscrapetogetheraliving.HermotherendedupleavingParkandherlittlesisteraloneoutofdesperation-Parkwas8yearsold.Ispentweeksreadingthisandeventuallygaveupatthe30%mark.ThiswasmorerealthanIcouldhandle.Iwascryingeveryfewpages,Iwasmiserable,Iwasgettingreallydepressedreadingthisnightmarishaccount,soIhadtostopformyownmentalwell-being.It’stoomuch.I’mgladItriedreadingitthoughasIdidlearnatremendousamountaboutNorthKorea-itreallyisacountry-sizedcult.Likehowthey’retaughttheirDearLeadercancontrolweatherwithhisthoughtsandhowhewrote1500booksinhisthreeyearsatuniversity.ANorthKoreanarithmeticproblemtaughttokidsliterallygoes:“IfyoukilloneAmericanbastardandyourcomradekillstwo,howmanydeadAmericanbastardsdoyouhave?”Butholyfuckinggod-thisisatoughread.Iknow,poorme,right?Consideringwhatthisyoungwomanwentthrough!Iwouldn’thavemadeitanywherenearheragenow(she’sonlyinherearlytwenties)ifI’dbeenborninNorthKorea!Ifyouwanttogetacrystal-clearpictureofjusthowhorrificday-to-daylifeinNorthKoreais,InOrdertoLiveisforyoubutthismuchconcentratedhumansufferingwillseriouslymakeyourhearthurt.IcanonlyhopeParkandhermotherfindhermissingsistersomeday-ifthere’sanyjustice,givethisfamilysomehappinessforpity’ssake!!-andsomeonesomehowsoonkillsthoseevilKimfucksandflattenstheirentireregime.LiketheabolishmentofEastandWestGermany,IreallyhopeweseeasingleunifiedandfreeKoreainourlifetimes.NowI’mgonnagodrinkmanydrinksandcurlupinthefetalposition… ...more flag 23likes · Like  · seereview View2comments Sep22,2018 Nat ratedit itwasamazing  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: favorites Itseemsstrangetogivethisbookaratingduetoitsnature.ThesefivestarsareforYeonmiPark’simmensecourage,resilienceandperseverance.Sheismyhero.Yeonmi’sstorydemandstoberead.Thisishowtheworldreallyworks.“IlivedinNorthKorea,thecountrywhereweweresupposedtohavenothingtoenvy,andallIfeltwasenvy–desperateenvyforthepeopleontheothersideoftheriver”[inChina]“IknewinmyheartthatIdeservedtobetreatedlikeaperson,notahuntedanima Itseemsstrangetogivethisbookaratingduetoitsnature.ThesefivestarsareforYeonmiPark’simmensecourage,resilienceandperseverance.Sheismyhero.Yeonmi’sstorydemandstoberead.Thisishowtheworldreallyworks.“IlivedinNorthKorea,thecountrywhereweweresupposedtohavenothingtoenvy,andallIfeltwasenvy–desperateenvyforthepeopleontheothersideoftheriver”[inChina]“IknewinmyheartthatIdeservedtobetreatedlikeaperson,notahuntedanimal.”“Ihadusedmyfirsttwoyearsoffreedomtoworkonmyself;awakeningmymindandopeningittothepossibilitiesoftheworld.” ...more flag 21likes · Like  · seereview «previous123456789…next» newtopicDiscussThisBook topics  posts  views  lastactivity    Fastreadersbook...: InOrderToLive-buddyreadthread 10 15 Sep15,202009:37AM   ReadWithMe!: InOrdertoLive:ANorthKoreanGirl'sJourneytoFreedom 1 4 May03,202004:01AM   PlayBookTag: InOrdertoLivebyYeonmiPark--3stars 6 42 May01,201803:01AM   Moretopics... Share RecommendIt  |  Stats  |  RecentStatusUpdates Readersalsoenjoyed Seesimilarbooks… Genres Nonfiction 2,044users Autobiography> Memoir 701users Biography 536users Biography> Autobiography 171users Cultural> Asia 135users Audiobook 133users History 121users BiographyMemoir 120users Politics 111users Adult 76users Seetopshelves… AboutYeonmiPark YeonmiPark 753 followers ParkYeon-mi(Korean:박연미)isaNorthKoreandefectorandhumanrightsactivistwhoescapedfromNorthKoreatoChinain2007andsettledinSouthKoreain2009,beforemovingtotheUnitedStatesin2014.Shecamefromaneducated,politicallyconnectedfamilythatturnedtoblackmarkettradingduringNorthKorea'seconomiccollapseinthe1990s.Afterherfatherwassenttoalaborcampforsmu ParkYeon-mi(Korean:박연미)isaNorthKoreandefectorandhumanrightsactivistwhoescapedfromNorthKoreatoChinain2007andsettledinSouthKoreain2009,beforemovingtotheUnitedStatesin2014.Shecamefromaneducated,politicallyconnectedfamilythatturnedtoblackmarkettradingduringNorthKorea'seconomiccollapseinthe1990s.Afterherfatherwassenttoalaborcampforsmuggling,herfamilyfacedstarvation.TheyfledtoChina,whereParkandhermotherfellintothehandsofhumantraffickersandwassoldintoslaverybeforeescapingtoMongolia.SheisnowanadvocateforvictimsofhumantraffickinginChinaandworkstopromotehumanrightsinNorthKoreaandaroundtheglobe.ParkrosetoglobalprominenceaftershedeliveredaspeechattheOneYoungWorld2014SummitinDublin,Ireland—anannualsummitthatgathersyoungpeoplefromaroundtheworldtodevelopsolutionstoglobalproblems.Herspeech,aboutherexperienceescapingfromNorthKorea,received50millionviewsintwodaysonYouTubeandsocialmedia,withacurrenttotalofmorethan80million.HermemoirInOrdertoLive:ANorthKoreanGirl'sJourneytoFreedomwaspublishedinSeptember2015.fromWikipedia ...more News&InterviewsExploreNicheNonfictionwithTheseRecentMicrohistories Theterm“microhistory”isarelativelynewdesignationthatreferstononfictionhistorybooksthatfocusinonasingleevent,person,or...Readmore...4likes·0comments TriviaAboutInOrdertoLive:... Notriviaorquizzesyet.Addsomenow» Quotesfrom為了活下去:脫北女孩朴研美 “Iinhaledbookslikeotherpeoplebreatheoxygen.Ididn'tjustreadforknowledgeorpleasure,Ireadtolive.” — 212likes “Weallhaveourowndeserts.Theymaynotbethesameasmydesert,butweallhavetocrossthemtofindapurposeinlifeandbefree.” — 120likes Morequotes… Welcomeback.JustamomentwhilewesignyouintoyourGoodreadsaccount.