68 pages • 2 hours read
In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl’s Journey to Freedom
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Book Brief
In Order to Live
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2015273
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
North Korea • 1990s
2015
Adult
18+ years
1010L
Super Short Summary
In Order to Live by Yeonmi Park and Maryanne Vollers chronicles Yeonmi Park's harrowing journey from North Korea to freedom. Born in Hyesan, Yeonmi and her family initially thrive due to her father's trading business, but the family's fortunes dwindle following the economic collapse of the 1990s. After her father's imprisonment and struggles, Yeonmi and her mother escape to China, only to be ensnared in human trafficking. They endure significant hardships but ultimately make it to South Korea, where Yeonmi works to rebuild her life, share her story, and advocate for human rights. Descriptions of abuse, including human trafficking, are present throughout the book.
Informative
Challenging
Emotional
Dark
Hopeful
Reviews & Readership
118,685 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
In Order to Live by Yeonmi Park and Maryanne Vollers receives commendation for its gripping, raw narrative of survival and escape from North Korea. Reviewers appreciate Park's powerful, emotional storytelling. Some, however, critique the book for perceived dramatization and occasional inconsistencies. Overall, it remains a compelling, eye-opening read about resilience and freedom.
Who Should Read In Order to Live?
A reader who would enjoy In Order to Live by Yeonmi Park and Maryanne Vollers is typically interested in compelling stories of resilience and freedom. Fans of Malala Yousafzai's I Am Malala or Ishmael Beah's A Long Way Gone will find this memoir equally inspiring, as it vividly portrays the harrowing escape from North Korea and the pursuit of liberty.
118,685 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
273
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
North Korea • 1990s
2015
Adult
18+ years
1010L
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