In Order to Live - Yeonmi Park & Maryanne Vollers

In Order to Live

By Yeonmi Park & Maryanne Vollers

  • Release Date: 2015-09-29
  • Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 1,169 Ratings

Description

“I am most grateful for two things: that I was born in North Korea, and that I escaped from North Korea.” - Yeonmi Park

"One of the most harrowing stories I have ever heard - and one of the most inspiring." - The Bookseller

“Park's remarkable and inspiring story shines a light on a country whose inhabitants live in misery beyond comprehension. Park's important memoir showcases the strength of the human spirit and one young woman's incredible determination to never be hungry again.” —Publishers Weekly

In In Order to Live, Yeonmi Park shines a light not just into the darkest corners of life in North Korea, describing the deprivation and deception she endured and which millions of North Korean people continue to endure to this day, but also onto her own most painful and difficult memories. She tells with bravery and dignity for the first time the story of how she and her mother were betrayed and sold into sexual slavery in China and forced to suffer terrible psychological and physical hardship before they finally made their way to Seoul, South Korea—and to freedom.

Park confronts her past with a startling resilience. In spite of everything, she has never stopped being proud of where she is from, and never stopped striving for a better life. Indeed, today she is a human rights activist working determinedly to bring attention to the oppression taking place in her home country. Park’s testimony is heartbreaking and unimaginable, but never without hope. This is the human spirit at its most indomitable.

Reviews

  • Adiamond

    5
    By ADiamond59
    This is a must read! It’s an exceptional story of escape and survival from North Korea
  • Excellent excellent read

    5
    By JessalynQ
    Such a well written and heart wrenching story of her life……so much respect for this woman and definitely for her mother and sister as well I pray God frees North Korea
  • Eye opening

    5
    By AM KC
    Beautiful and shocking book. I feel like my heart and eyes were opened in a new way, by reading this book.
  • Moving

    5
    By dkm1620
    This was a very moving book. Highly recommend.
  • Wow!

    5
    By Jamezmiiz
    This book has changed the way I look at my civil rights and freedom! Most people in the West have know idea how good they have it. Don't know how many times I said "wow" while I reading this book! This is a must read!
  • Incredible

    4
    By _Jenny_Lee_
    Gripping and powerful. The bravery, resiliency and strength of the author is truly inspiring. She tells an incredible story that opens the readers eyes to the evilness and inhumanity that exists in this world. Her story helps to give perspective on what it really means to struggle and it is both humbling and inspiring.
  • Steve Segal

    2
    By Steven A Segal
    Touching story and high praise to Yeonmi Park for her strength and determination to better her self. On the negative side, her writing style leaves the reader with the impression that Yeonmi had a very smug and high opinion of herself.
  • A wild tornado of emotions

    4
    By samantha harber
    I always though my life in america sucked because of the discrimination I faced. I am Jewish not to mention gay. So, it’s hard to be in this world when people constantly want you dead. I’m a picky eater because of texture since I also have adhd. After reading only half of this book I began to feel guilty for being so picky. After reading this book I have completely new outlook on life. I’m more grateful for my food, I feel guilty for being picky when this girl didn’t even have rice at one point and was eating bugs on hill to survie. Knowing what she went through and her writing about this was brave and I hope you get to write that personal letter to that fat jerk that he can no longer control you, he’s not a mind reader and hope to god, god takes care of him. I loved this book and highly recommend if you are feeling lost and don’t know if you should be happy by reading this book you’ll figure it out quickly. The ending by the way I was literally jumping up and down in joy about your sister, I’m so happy she’s safe!!!
  • Thankful

    5
    By TTMCTHY
    It is amazing that another human’s story can make you feel such compassion and give you an overwhelming sense of gratitude and love for the life you have been given. Thank you for sharing your experience.
  • Amazing read

    4
    By SJ Chris
    Enjoyed the book and learning about Yeonmi’s struggle for freedom from North Korea.. but the book ended so abruptly that I had to double check it was actually finished

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