A Thousand Miles to Freedom

My Escape from North Korea

By: Sebastien Falletti, Eunsun Kim

Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller

Length: 5 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Eunsun Kim was born in North Korea, one of the most secretive and oppressive countries in the modern world. As a child, Eunsun loved her country...despite her school field trips to public executions, daily self-criticism sessions, and the increasing gnaw of hunger as the countrywide famine escalated. By the time she was 11 years old, Eunsun's father and grandparents had died of starvation, and Eunsun too was in danger of starving. Finally her mother decided to escape North Korea with Eunsun and her sister, not knowing that they were embarking on a journey that would take them nine long years to complete. Told with grace and courage, her memoir is a riveting exposé of North Korea's totalitarian regime and, ultimately, a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit.

©2012 Éditions Michel Lafon (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A sobering account of survival of the fittest in North Korea by a young woman on the run for nearly a decade." ( Kirkus)

Fantastic book

Where does A Thousand Miles to Freedom rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This story is so unreal. I can't believe there are humans on Earth still going through things like this. Please give it a read and it will open your eyes to a struggle most of us could not even comprehend. I will probably listen to this audiobook more than once.

What other book might you compare A Thousand Miles to Freedom to and why?

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What does Emily Woo Zeller bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The way the book is read makes you almost picture Eunsun Kim reading the book. Very well done.

If you could give A Thousand Miles to Freedom a new subtitle, what would it be?

N/A

Any additional comments?

Listen to this audiobook.

Another defector

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I've read a few books on North Koreans defecting. While Eunsun demonstrates amazing emotional strength and I cannot imagine the trials and tribulations, the book didn't WOW me, but maybe because I've read so many other books about North Korean defectors.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Relief for Eunsun.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Just ok.

Do you think A Thousand Miles to Freedom needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No. I think the story is based on her defection which was complete.

Great Book!

Great story about overcoming and pressing on when there is no hope and importance of education.

broaden your knowledge of North Korea.

very enlighting about the horrors of life in North Korea. it is a story of couage & hope

Malice cel unmask

The narrative shows the full evil of the ruling class of north Koera. Adds new meaning of the cruelty of this group. Yet contains the feeling of hope and spirit

he's very engaging autobiography. highly recommend

the narrator's voice is Pleasant and sounds slightly Asian blending in the autobiography A sense of authenticity. Very engaging and enjoyable story but sometimes surprisingly Advanced English words. Really liked it.

She SURVIVED North Korea

For me, appreciating this piece is less about appreciating the actual text and more about appreciating where it came from. This is the first-hand account of a woman who fled the only home she had ever known, North Korea, with her mother and sister as a small girl. That's fascinating enough to earn my recommendation.

just alright

I don't want to discount any person's struggle to escape that horrible place, but this story was somewhat short and therefore lacked details. I would have liked a more in depth story. I'm a bit fascinated by stories of escape like this and have listened to a few from other former North Koreans. Some were better than this, some far worse.

A very inspirational and eye opening memoir.

There is nothing more powerful than a true story of survival and hope like this that can make one relieze just how fortunate they are and how truely understanding the plight of others in similar situations like this one is so important.

Courage in the midst of hardship

I loved this book and reading the frightening flight of this young woman and her mother and sister from North Korea.

I was amazed by their courage and determination. I yearn for freedom for all North Koreans.

Beautifully written and performed!