Nothing to Envy

Ordinary Lives in North Korea

By: Barbara Demick

Narrated by: Karen White

Length: 12 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Barbara Demick's Nothing to Envy follows the lives of six North Koreans over 15 years - a chaotic period that saw the death of Kim Il-sung and the unchallenged rise to power of his son, Kim Jong-il, and the devastation of a far-ranging famine that killed one-fifth of the population.

Taking us into a landscape never before seen, Demick brings to life what it means to be an average Korean citizen, living under the most repressive totalitarian regime today - an Orwellian world in which radio and television dials are welded to the one government station, a country that is by choice not connected to the Internet, a society in which outward displays of affection are punished, and a police state that rewards informants and where an offhanded remark can send a citizen to the gulag for life. Demick's subjects - a middle-aged party loyalist and her rebellious daughter, an idealistic female doctor, an orphan, and two young lovers - all hail from the same provincial city in the farthest-flung northern reaches of the country. One by one, we witness the moments of revelation, when each realizes that they have been betrayed by the Fatherland and that their suffering is not a global condition but is uniquely theirs.

Nothing to Envy is the first book about North Korea to go deep inside the country, beyond the reach of government censors, and penetrate the mind-set of the average citizen. It is a groundbreaking and essential addition to the literature of totalitarianism.

©2010 Barbara Demick (P)2009 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A fascinating and deeply personal look at the lives of six defectors from the repressive totalitarian regime of the Republic of North Korea." ( Publishers Weekly)

A must-read for understanding North Korea

I came away from this book with a greater understanding of North Korea and a deep emotional attachment to the real people interviewed after hearing about their lives in an oppressive regime. The author gives vivid descriptions - often to the finest, most poignant detail - of barren lives and the courageous people who dared to leave. She follows a few separate people from their lives in North Korea through their defection and on to their new lives in South Korea. Truly amazing journalism and highly recommended for anyone who is curious about what goes on in the last communist dictatorship on the planet.

Simply amazing

Truly an amazing piece of work. The author does a wonderful job of taking us on the journey of the lives of ordinary North Koreans. I found myself unable to shut off my ipod because I felt so connected to the people in the book.
Please some one make this into a film.

Amazing and Important Story

The communist system in North Korea is a terrible tragedy. This book and the reader do an outstanding job of conveying the suffering of the people and their struggles to survive government imposed starvation and deprivation. Sadly the suffering continues without an end in sight.

Everyone in the world should read this book

I knew things were bad in North Korea, but I did not know what individuals lives were like. The real life stories in this book moved me to tears. The narration is top rate. I am not one to believe the USA needs to solve the worlds problems, but I would support an overthrow of the current NK govt. Alas, it will never happen. The poor souls are brainwashed from birth. This is one of the greatest tragedies of our time. It will take several miracles for the oppressed of NK to be freed from this tyrannical crazy leader. This book should be read by everyone in the world. You will appreciate how good you have it - no matter where you live.

Outstanding reporting AND story-telling

I wasn't sure I wanted to listen to a book about North Korea (figured it would be dreary and depressing), but I am so glad I did! The author vividly conveys life in this strange and oppressive country by telling the stories of several individuals -- all of whom eventually made it out. During the first few hours of listening, I almost felt that I was hearing a science fiction novel -- the specifics of life in North Korea are that weird! The author also weaves in occasional statistics to help you grasp the "big picture." This book will instruct you and make you more thankful for your freedom and prosperity.

Best book I've listened to this year.

I don't usually take time to write reviews, but this is an exceptional book. Everyone in America should listen to it.

Bad narrator but excellent book

This narrator breathed into the microphone whenever she had to take a breath mid-sentence. Almost like she was gasping for air. The was really annoying - got better after listening for a while, but it still bugged me throughout the book.

She also seemed to be trying to put on a bit of an Asian accent that comes across as robotic to me. Again, I got used to it over time, but quite odd.

The story itself is intensely interesting, so it was not difficult to keep listening even with the weird narration.

I almost wish that I had read it instead of listening to it because I think I may have enjoyed it more.

great story but...

I found the story very interesting but the reader was difficult for me listen to.

I had to write a review for this one

This audiobook blew me away. Is it really possible that a country like this exists on the planet... in my lifetime? A very well-written book with great source material of North Korean defectors, that tells the unbelievable story of life in North Korea. Worth every minute you will put into it.

Incredible

I stayed up until 3 AM for two nights in a row listened to this story and when not listening to it my thoughts were totally consumed by this book. That is the true mark of a great book. These North Korean's stories are captivating and you can't help but want to hear what happens to them all.