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  • In Order to Live

  • A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom
  • By: Yeonmi Park
  • Narrated by: Eji Kim
  • Length: 9 hrs and 37 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (693 ratings)

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In Order to Live cover art

In Order to Live

By: Yeonmi Park
Narrated by: Eji Kim
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Publisher's Summary

Yeonmi Park was not dreaming of freedom when she escaped from North Korea. She didn't even know what it meant to be free. All she knew was that she was running for her life, that if she and her family stayed behind they would die - from starvation or disease or even execution.

This book is the story of Park's struggle to survive in the darkest, most repressive country on Earth; her harrowing escape to South Korea through China's underworld of smugglers and human traffickers; and her emergence as a leading human rights activist - all before her 21st birthday.

©2015 Penguin Audio (P)2015 Penguin Audio

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Moved beyond words

What a deeply impacting story! Yeonmi Park - thank you for being completely vulnerable with your story and recognising the potential of how this can effect change across the world including your home of North Korea.

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Absolutely, mind-blowingly powerful

An incredibly emotional story brimming with pain and compassion. It feels as if you are transported directly into Yeonmi's life and experience her traumas with her.

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2 people found this helpful

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perfect if you wish to know more about north korea

such an incredible story. if you are curious about north korea this is for you.

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1 person found this helpful

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Extremely interesting story

I found this story so interesting. Quite an eye opener and very sad realizing it's still going on today no doubt.
Very well spoken and read.

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Wow what a story. Yeonmi Pak is inspirational.

Wow what a story. Yeonmi Pak is inspirational and courageous. I have read many books like this and this was up there with the best of them. She shows her flaws and depth as a human and the nuances of people she met along the way. The horrors she survived are unthinkable yet she writes about them with humility and shows such empathy for other humans. The story is difficult to read in parts but leaves you feeling a sense of wonder at her and others strength, proud and heartwarmed for where she is at now and grateful for all of the things we take for granted in developed countries. Highly recommend for anyone that wants to learn more about North Korea, human trafficking or anyone who likes reading inspiring stories about surviving.

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Eye-opening, captivating story

My world is bigger because of this book. My eyes were opened to the level of mind control by the north Korean government and trafficking in China. How dignity and expressing emotions were not things that every human believed they had a right to. I had never considered the reality of adjusting to a free life, not just practically but changing your mindset that you need to think for yourself. Highly recommended for those who want to expand their view and put their own world in perspective!

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A captivating story

The stories about life in North Korea and the experiences after that are captivating and informative. I especially liked how Park brings in other characters, too, to enhance the illustration of her experiences.

The book does lack depth in emotion but perhaps that's something that simply reflects get own growth over time, coming from a background where that would have been not even understood and spoken about. It'd be interesting to hear reflections on the emotional journey and growth over the last nearly ten years and transitioning into a very different life.

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Inspiring and tragically eye-opening.

Excellent narration and transcript that kept the story flowing whilst engaging emotions and sharing horrific experiences of the North Korean people.

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A Touching Recounting of a Harrowing Ordeal

An insight into life in a place most of us will never know and only ever hear snippets of.

The story is raw, honest, and the narrator makes the listener feel like it’s Yeonmi narrating it herself.
It’s a reality check for most of us, inspiring us to take a look inside ourselves and reflect on how lucky we are. As is generally the case in life, it’s a pity that the ones who most need such a reality check, are the ones least likely to ever listen to something like this.

The highest praise to Yeonmi for sharing her story with the world.

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Incredulous Fight for Freedom

Riviting from beginning to end! I am astounded one could endure such pain, suffering and deprivation, yet rise to triumph so magnificently. One of the best books I have read.

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