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

The book is emotionally hard to read. Especially the first two sections in China and North Korea. Her and her mother had an incredible struggle that is a story that needs to be shared. The only reason I gave a low rating is that the book came off to me as self grandizing. She spends considerable time validating some her quick fame and tying together inconsistencies in her own story. I thought the chapters in South Korea were quite boring and very generic. This book is ultimately her story in her own words and there are very few witnesses that can stand as witness to her claims. I am otherwise glad that I read this book. It's a heartbreaking story that I think more people need to be aware of

I have read a lot about North Korea and as an American of immigrants, my father was from Cuba and I have family there I've never met. I can say this book hit me right in the heart. All of us cannot appreciate what we have here when we know nothing else. I saw my dad listening to his family pass away and never appreciated what it felt like to not even have money to even buy an apple. Yeonmi Park is a hero and a warrior and I hope one day ALL North Koreans can celebrate unification. Ms Park for your courage, resolve and that of your family Kamsahamnida.

This is an incredible and moving story about how a 13-year-old and her mother escaped from both North Korea and from sex trafficking in China to make it to South Korea!