In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom

Incredible and moving story. Very well written. I have followed her for a while now and have heard her tell her story and interviews but it was much better reading. Glad that I purchased.

EXCELLENT BOOK. Opened my eyes to many things I was oblivious on. A courageous story!

I learned a lot while reading this book along with the devastating life in North Korea. It's a good read!

Story itself: WOW. One of so few that has come out of North Korea. I've read my fair share of books/stories about abusive regimes as a history teacher who is constantly trying to educate myself in the little details, but this particular regime is a whole new level of evil. This story in particular was eye opening because it was an overview of many different social situations in North Korea, all in one woman's personal experience. She experienced the highs and the lows: what it was like to be poor, then well-off, then the daughter of a criminal, and finally her escape. Writing style: not horrible, but not brilliant. If you're someone who really loves a well-written book, this isn't your book. The plot is great, it's a true story, no issues there. But everyone loves books for different reasons, and if writing style is one of the main reasons you love to read, this probably isn't your book. Age group: for sure a mature audience. The writing is pretty approachable for even a middle school level, but I would NOT hand this to anyone younger than college. It has multiple mentions of rape, horrific treatment of humans, bullying, starvation, dead bodies, etc. It's horrific. Rightly so, it's a true story about something horrific. But readers be aware.

This is a personal memoir of the author’s journey to freedom. It begins by recounting her early life under tyrannical rule in North Korea, providing one of the most personal and depressing portraits of life under that regime I’ve ever read. Presumably other readers will be as shocked and horrified as I was to learn about activities we would find unthinkable but North Koreans are forced to accept as just a part of daily life. Even linguistic repressions are in equal parts fascinating and terrifying. But the book then goes on to describe the author’s escape from that hell on earth at the of only thirteen years (and at the weight of only sixty pounds!). Unfortunately the journey through hell wasn’t over as she’d escaped one hell directly into the hands of human traffickers in China. It was only after a period of more years, fully detailed in these pages, that she eventually made her way to freedom first in South Korea and eventually in the United States. Though the book is undeniably a fascinating and harrowing read, some have raised questions of its accuracy, and I think that’s an issue that should be addressed. This book is not a work of academic scholarship, but a personal memoir, and should be read as such. Minor errors of fact and slight inconsistencies do exist, as the book’s coauthor freely acknowledges and attributes to the author’s imperfect recollection of childhood memories and (at the time of the book’s publication) relatively weak English. If you’re planning to use the book for academic purposes, claims should be verified against independent sources, but if you’re reading the book to get a personal look into the life of one North Korean defector, you’ll find the book both useful and accurate on all points where it counts. With regard to more aggressive critics who try to call the entire story into question, coauthor Maryanne Vollers attributes those claims to an organized effort by the North Korean regime to discredit her claims. Regardless of what one thinks of the accuracy of some of the book’s claims—and I am not expert enough to validate every line of the book—it’s undoubtedly one of the most important books I’ve read in a long time because it provides a portrait of a country into which most of us have few opportunities to peer and helps us to understand not only abstractly or academically but personally what it’s like to live under the kind of repressive regime most of us are fortunate enough to have never individually witnessed.

What an adventure that was more like a never ending nightmare for Yeomni Park and her family. It was if they were so oppressed by the North Korean dictator, Kim, that they needed permission to even breathe! We, in America, have no earthly idea of this horrific, torturous existence that North Koreans suffer every day of their lives, as they hunt for food by eating grasshoppers, dragon flies and leaves to fill their stomachs, while the "Dear" Dictator grows fat, as he deliberately starves his own people. Yeomni gives an honest account of her childhood, as she grows up, her loving caring Mother & Father, the perverse education North Korean children are raised in and her desperate starvation that drove her from the border of her hometown to try to find a bowl of rice, somewhere, ANYWHERE AWAY FROM THE SADISTIC TENDRILS of oppression in the darkness of North Korea. By the mercy and grace of God, she escaped, but faced horrible difficulties as she wades her way to freedom. You will not be able to put this book down!

What a story! I had caught a few clips of Yeonmi on social media talking about North Korea and figured I'd give the book a try (was on sale on kindle) & I'm happy I did!

Must read. Have gifted this several times. Life changing, real deep dive into life in North Korea and out.

I am always on the lookout for compelling stories that can inspire and captivate audiences. "In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom" by Yeonmi Park is one such book that has left an indelible mark on my heart. This gripping memoir takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster, as Yeonmi shares her harrowing journey from the oppressive regime of North Korea to the freedom she now enjoys. From the very beginning, Yeonmi's storytelling is raw and honest, providing a rare glimpse into the secretive world of North Korea. The author's vivid descriptions of her life under the regime paint a chilling picture of the hardships faced by ordinary citizens. As a marketing professional, I appreciate the power of storytelling, and Yeonmi's narrative is both captivating and thought-provoking. The book also highlights the resilience and determination of the human spirit. Yeonmi's journey to freedom is fraught with danger, but her unwavering courage and resourcefulness are truly inspiring. As someone who values adaptability and perseverance, I found Yeonmi's story to be a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Furthermore, "In Order to Live" serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy and understanding. Yeonmi's experiences provide valuable insights into the lives of those living under oppressive regimes, and her story encourages readers to be more compassionate and aware of the struggles faced by others. In conclusion, "In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom" is a must-read for anyone seeking a gripping, inspiring, and eye-opening account of one young woman's quest for freedom. Yeonmi Park's storytelling is both captivating and heart-wrenching, and her resilience in the face of adversity is truly inspiring. This book has earned a well-deserved five stars and a permanent place on my bookshelf.

I am in awe of this woman and all others who made it. The book is perfectly written in my opinion, a fast, exiting and ultimately an inspiring and motivational read. So many real life lessons from someone so young. I recommend it highly.

Starving as a child in an utterly deprived society; crossing the Yalu river to reach China, only to be sold in sexual slavery there; inching through the Gobi desert barefoot towards freedom: still in her early twenties, Yaonmi Park has lived through harrowing experiences just "in order to know what it means to be free." I gave this book the highest mark, not only for the merits of such an epic journey, but because of the the abundance of concrete details it provides about everyday life in one of the most secluded societies in the world. I knew practically nothing about North Korea. Thanks to Yaonmi Park I can now vividly imagine what it takes to survive in such a an unforgiving environment where the struggle for life consumes every part of your energy. Yaonmi Park has become a proud freedom fighter. Her book might be the first nail in the coffin of an unsustainable communist regime.

This arrived with so much love, and it's a total dream come true for me. My first ever imported English book!

Beautiful book. Such a great read. Thanks, Yeonmi.