In Order to Live by Yeonmi Park

[creekland]

Anyone read this already?  I just finished reading an excerpt in Reader's Digest and am seriously thinking of hunting down the rest of the book to read...  Figured I'd check in here to see if some of you who read far more than I do had thoughts about the whole book.

[creekland]

Had a couple more minutes before my first class comes in so I looked it up on Amazon.  It still seems like a worthy read if anyone else is looking...

 

http://www.amazon.com/In-Order-Live-Journey-Freedom/dp/1594206791

 

The excerpt I read is available online too if anyone wants a preview:

 

http://www.rd.com/true-stories/survival/escape-from-north-korea/

[Cinder]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[solascriptura]

How timely!  I just saw this book on Amazon and am planning to read it.  I've read other autobiographies of North Koreans and I"m sure that it isn't an easy read. 

[Ummto4]

I saw this book this afternoon at our local Barnes and Noble. I flipped through few pages ... and I'm not sure I have the strength to read it. But please, whoever read it ... please review it. It looks interesting. 

Edited February 12, 2016 by Ummto4

[J-rap]

Thank you for the recommendation!  It looks like one I would like to read, difficult as it will be.

[GailV]

That looks amazing.  Thanks for linking the information.

[creekland]

Our library doesn't have it.  If I want to read it, I'm going to have to buy it - which I don't mind to support the author - but right now when we're getting ready for the trip coming up, I'm not sure I'm going to do it.  I'll have to think about it this weekend and see if I can pull together an order to get free shipping (we don't pay for Prime).

 

I agree that I think it's going to be a tough read, but I'm really glad she shared her story.  I think it's good for many to see what's going on.  If the book is reasonably good, I'll probably donate it to school afterward.

[creekland]

Have you checked digital libraries?  Sometimes I can find them there.  We have a consortium..  If you don't have a Nook or Kindle, you can still read it on your computer with the Kindle download.  Just a thought.

 

I don't own a Nook/Kindle, and since this would be a trip read, I'm not positive I'd want it on a laptop vs a more easily portable (and sand resistant) book, but that's a great idea to suggest in general for those it could work for.  ;)

 

I'm actually leaning toward buying it at the moment - mainly because buying a new one would benefit the author.  Some things can be worth adding into the budget.

[creekland]

FWIW, I did buy the book (reviews on Amazon were irresistible after reading the excerpt) and will read it on our trip, so within a couple of months I'll be able to add my thoughts about it if anyone is curious at that point.

[Cafdog]

I saw her speak recently!  A courageous young lady with an engrossing story to tell...but it was very difficult to hear her experiences.  I wanted to give her a hug.  Heartbreaking.  

[creekland]

I saw her speak recently!  A courageous young lady with an engrossing story to tell...but it was very difficult to hear her experiences.  I wanted to give her a hug.  Heartbreaking.  

 

I'm sure I would feel the same way.  I love to hear experiences from our refugees and immigrants, but some of their stories are incredibly difficult to listen to.  They have my admiration - and IRL - sometimes my hugs too since school is different than speaking to a larger crowd.

[solascriptura]

I just finished the book and my heart hurts for North Koreans. So many people are so desperate to escape, not for freedoms that we enjoy, but just so that they can eat. I can't even wrap my mind around the desperation that drive these individuals into peril.

[creekland]

I just finished the book and my heart hurts for North Koreans. So many people are so desperate to escape, not for freedoms that we enjoy, but just so that they can eat. I can't even wrap my mind around the desperation that drive these individuals into peril.

 

I have it with me and have flipped through it.  I plan on starting it next week.  From just looking at the pictures and seeing a little bit I know my heart is going to ache for those people too.

 

But I'm glad she's getting the word out and I'm glad she escaped successfully, albeit with oodles of massive hardships on her life.

[PrincessMommy]

I thought she looked familiar.  I remember this coming through my FB feed a while ago

 

 

 

Her speech starts sometime after 8min... but the intro is also good

 

I read 'Nothing to Envy" a few years ago.. It's also good, but less of a personal story of escape.

 

 

Edited February 27, 2016 by PrincessMommy

[creekland]

Just bumping this up as I'm about 2/5ths of the way through the book now and will likely be done by the weekend.

 

It's a very, very worthy read IMO.  If you have any empathy, it will tear your heart out, but it's a very, very worthy read.  There's so much that those of us in "normal" countries take for granted.

 

I can't say I'll ever "dismiss" North Korea again as "just a news story."

[creekland]

Ok, finished the book.  It definitely didn't take until the weekend as it's an easy captivating read - very informative, very sad & somewhat rewarding.

 

It's now on my highly recommended list.  Hubby and my boys have it on their "plan to read" list, then my mom will get it, then I'll probably donate it to school.  Chances are, I'll also spend time talking about it with the head of our English dept to see if they want to toss it in on any of their summer reads.  It's not a deep book language wise, but topic wise, it's incredibly worthy in more ways than one.  Her story even after escape into South Korea is well worth knowing/understanding as many of us come into contact with refugees from numerous countries.

 

I'm really glad she decided to share her personal story.  What an incredible young lady who endured through hardships few of us could even imagine.  Her parents too...

 

May North Korea someday be free.  Preferably soon.