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A River in Darkness: One Man's Escape from North Korea

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2000

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Book Brief

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Masaji Ishikawa, Transl. Martin Brown, Transl. Risa Kobayashi

A River in Darkness

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2000
Book Details
Pages

159

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

North Korea • 1960s

Publication Year

2000

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

A River in Darkness: One Man's Escape from North Korea is a memoir by Masaji Ishikawa, with translation by Risa Kobayashi and Martin Brown. It narrates Ishikawa's harrowing experiences as a Korean-Japanese individual living under North Korea's oppressive regime and his perilous journey to freedom.

Dark

Unnerving

Melancholic

Mysterious

Challenging

Reviews & Readership

4.3

103,391 ratings

85%

Loved it

11%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

A River in Darkness: One Man's Escape from North Korea delivers a harrowing account of Ishikawa's life in North Korea and his daring escape. The narrative is gripping and eye-opening, providing insight into the regime's brutality. Some readers find the prose straightforward but lacking depth in emotional reflection. Overall, it's a powerful memoir that sheds light on a hidden world.

Who should read this

Who Should Read A River in Darkness?

Readers who value human rights, political memoirs, and survival stories will appreciate A River in Darkness. Fans of Escape from Camp 14 or Nothing to Envy will find this compelling North Korean defection story deeply engrossing and enlightening.

4.3

103,391 ratings

85%

Loved it

11%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

159

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

North Korea • 1960s

Publication Year

2000

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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