In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom

Written by:
Yeonmi Park
Narrated by:
Eji Kim

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
85
Narrator
29
Release Date
September 2015
Duration
9 hours 38 minutes
Summary
“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
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Babak A.

An informative account of the atrocities in NK. What a horrible place to live, well one is not really living but they are being directed on how to live. The sex trade is all over the world and not just China but the life for the NK defectors is even more difficult when they leave NK. I learned a lot about the culture of NK and partly China but grateful to see South Korea embrace these defectors. The author endured a lot but has shown that even under the worst possible conditions, something good can come out. Definitely recommend this book. There is no other regime like NK in this world and I just don't see why the US wants to appease them before they change their behavior and treat their people with dignity. P.S. the book was so good that often I would want to return to driving so I can listen to more of the book.

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Carol L.

An incredible story of strength.

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Christy L.

What an interesting story of survival! I really enjoyed this book!!

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Anonymous

Heartbreaking and inspirational.

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Philip H.

A sad story about survival through any means possible given unimaginable situations. The author not only survived, but also showed her courage to relive her experiences through her writings and live presentations, despite knowing how it could adversely affect her reputation and status as a respectable woman. The narrator reads with a timid Korean accent, which provided a better picture of the author's experiences as a defenseless naive victim. I highly recommend reading or listening to this book, but do it when you are in the right frame of mind to listen to a very sad tale, but with an uplifting ending.

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Anonymous

good audio

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Jennifer M.

One of the best books I’ve read - This rates right up there with The Hiding Place. What this gal went through and lived through is unimaginable to the average American. It gives much needed light to trafficking.

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Kim M.

Incredible, gut wrenching, inspiring, eye opening. One of the most powerful books I’ve ever read!!!

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Meagan

Tragic but very good book

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Anonymous

I love this book and the narrator did an amazing job

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Danielle L.

Very well written, harrowing account of one girls amazing journey out of North Korea. Her troubles are so well depicted that I wanted so badly for her to have a happy ending or even the smallest joy, which she eventually finds in the end after a lifetime of indescribable hardship. Great read that should definitely win awards for brave writing.

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Mariana Toro

After listening to this book, I went out and got two as gifts. It's one of those books that stays with you.

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