A readable and illuminating account of the famine years of the early 20th century in North Korea, as seen through the eyes of six escapees. Not all of these people had been critical of the repressive, totalitarian regime under which they had been brought up. They accepted unquestioningly that there was nothing to envy beyond the country's borders, despite the fact that education, career ambitions, love and home life were under constant surveillance and minor 'offences' could result in lifelong punishment for themselves and their families. An eye opening look at a largely unknown world. ( )

Very well done look at North Korea, thanks to those who were willing to relive the best and worst details of their lives to share with the world.

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Recommended: ABSOLUTELY
For those who know nothing about North Korea, for those who know a boatload about North Korea, for a fantastic history of the country (and the whole peninsula, really), for moving stories of the people who grew up there, for an incredibly comprehensive and personal set of biographies

Thoughts:
Oh, wow. So I am not a beginner in learning about North Korea, but this book was a whole new style of writing about it that I deeply appreciated and was seriously impressed by. Although these are true stories of people who grew up in North Korea before making their way out of North Korea, it most often read like a novel. Barbara Demick was able to construct painfully relatable experiences from the numerous interviews she conducted with the people she met who had defected. Historical context is given as well, to help the reader understand the significance of events and actions that are occurring.

I mean... I'm just blown away by this. An absolutely fantastic compilation, and my gratitude to all who contributed to it - especially the defectors who relived some of the most painful parts of their lives in great detail and shared it with the world.

Stunningly effective writing brings each person to life on the page until you feel as though you know them inside and out, which makes their losses hurt all the more. The most chilling aspect of this is remembering that these are real people, these stories being told actually happened, and most of all that there are countless other people for whom these stories are still their daily life experience. ( )

Amazing book about a nearly unbelievable place. I hope, in view of Kim Jong-Il's death today, that Barbara Demick will get a huge amount of well-deserved attention! ( )

Reading this book felt eerily similar to reading books about the Holocaust. Not in content, necessarily, (although there are overlaps), but in the emotions it brought out of me and the depth at which I felt them.

Absolutely fantastic book. ( )

Wow! What a horrible life folks live in North Korea and all because of one sick dictator and his lemmings. He and they should be charged and convicted with crimes against humanity. it was an upsetting book to read. ( )