In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom Paperback – 27 Sept. 2016

I have had this on my Kindle for a few months now and kept shifting it to the back of the queue. I had just finished a really entertaining and laugh out loud funny book and decided that a change of pace would be a good thing. That, I read this book in one day, says all you need to know. I never read books in one day, even books I really enjoy take me on average 4 or 5 days. I was reading this until 4:30am, I could not put it down.Most of us think that North Korea is that miserable country run, by that crazy adult/child like dictator with bad hair and a worse temper (No, not Trump (that comment is going to age badly)). A country who for whatever reason seems able to keep the rest of the world at bay with threats. A country that has nuclear capability, that likes to show off it's military strength. A country I am sure most of us would love to see blown off the face of the earth. And, then you read this book and you realise behind all the posturing and bluster are many millions of real people who live miserable lives, brainwashed from birth (like all good religions) to believe in the Kims as gods. Gods with extraordinary powers. A nation of people who all spy on each other (like all the best dictatorships). A country where it takes just one member of the family to fall from grace, for the whole family to suffer possibly never to recover. A country where a trip to prisons named re-education centres, or worse labour camps can be as good as a death sentence and will certainly change your life for ever. A nation where the vast majority of the people have literally nothing, barely enough food, no access to media outside of the non stop propaganda pumped out by the government. Basically, the majority of people in North Korea live miserable lives with little food or pleasure. Yet, the brainwashing goes deep and even those that manage to escape find it hard to shake off the belief that the Kim's are gods and their country is the best in the world (to begin with!) This book is written by an extra ordinary women who had been through more by the age of 15 than most of us in a lifetime. A women who endured hardship in her home country. Then arrived in China expecting to taste freedom only to find a whole different scenario. This book is a must read. Also China has a massive role to play in this. China is the scene of massive people trafficking. Of forced repatriation (leading to almost certain death) of forced rape. The fact that this young lady managed to escape North Korea and then had to undergo a whole new ordeal in China would have made most of us just give up. The Chinese have been supportive of the North Korean government and the forced repatriation is the reason that people from North Korea are bought and sold in China, as slaves, as prostitutes as wives, as all three. If China would just allow these people passage through there nation, most of the trafficking would go away. Yeonmi Park is doing an amazing job, telling people what hardships normal people face in North Korea, for people to understand what the real people have to live through. Her story, her life since leaving the 'Hermit Kingdom' her achievements, her willingness to tell her story, all her story, including all the horrific parts she would rather forget, mark her down as a very special person. It would have been so easy to escape North Korea and just fade away. But she has a higher purpose now and I truly wish her all the best as she tells it like it is, regardless of the threats still being received from her evil homeland.

What a good booked, was so hooked all the time, 5*Recommend it to everyone who wants a good read!

I've read quite a few books written by North Korean escapees over the last year or so ("Dear Leader", "Escape From Camp 14", "Aquariums of Pyongyang", and "Nothing to Envy" to name a few) and I have mixed feelings about "In Order To Live".Don't get me wrong, it's a good book. It's well written and Yeonmi's story is at times emotional and gripping. Yet at other times, it's an accounting that is not as interesting as I wanted it to be. Honestly, part II and III of the book are most outstanding. Her and her mothers hardships in China, the search for her sister and how hard it is for North Koreans once they're out of North Korea (with no understanding of the world beyond their indoctrinated view of NK and the 'enemies' outside) is a gripping and insightful read and should be read by anyone with interest in what happens 'after North Korea'. The (re)introduction process into South Korea's society and her subsequent actions to create awareness around NK is an interesting read as well.Overall, a great book on everything "after NK", and a good book on "inside NK", but if you want to know more about inside NK, also do read "Dear Leader" and "Escape from Camp 14" for two excellent viewpoints of two ends of life in North Korea.

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.