A River in Darkness

One Man's Escape from North Korea

By: Masaji Ishikawa, Risa Kobayashi - translator, Martin Brown - translator

Narrated by: Brian Nishii

A New York Times bestseller and Amazon Charts Most Read and Most Sold book.

A Goodreads Choice Award nominee for Memoir & Autobiography.

The harrowing true story of one man’s life in - and subsequent escape from - North Korea, one of the world’s most brutal totalitarian regimes.

Half-Korean, half-Japanese, Masaji Ishikawa has spent his whole life feeling like a man without a country. This feeling only deepened when his family moved from Japan to North Korea when Ishikawa was just thirteen years old, and unwittingly became members of the lowest social caste. His father, himself a Korean national, was lured to the new Communist country by promises of abundant work, education for his children, and a higher station in society. But the reality of their new life was far from utopian.

In this memoir translated from the original Japanese, Ishikawa candidly recounts his tumultuous upbringing and the brutal thirty-six years he spent living under a crushing totalitarian regime, as well as the challenges he faced repatriating to Japan after barely escaping North Korea with his life. A River in Darkness is not only a shocking portrait of life inside the country but a testament to the dignity - and indomitable nature - of the human spirit.

©2000 by Masaji Ishikawa. (P)2017 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Translation © 2017 by Risa Kobayashi and Martin Brown.

Riveting!!

I listened to the whole book in one go. I’ve been listening to books written by people who have escaped NK for a while now, there’s just something about their lives and will to survive that draws me in. This mans story is probably the darkest ive heard. His life begins in Japan and then his family moves to NK with promises for a better life. It’s quickly apparent to them that they were lied to and are now trapped in an even more awful life than they left... This mans courage to continue no matter what happens inspired me and reminds me to always appreciate what I have... even though he has left NK he still lives in a life of limbo and that made me saddest of all. Hope he gets closure and lives the life he deserves.

EVERY Freedom loving person needs to read this

EVERY person who thinks socialism or any form of Marxism is a good idea really needs to read this book!!!
Along with "Life and Death in Shanghai" this biographical account exposes the myth of the "good ideal" of any form of Marxism.
In reality only the most cruel, brutish, illogical and inhumane "societal devolution" results; as the author bears witness.

Tragic true story

This story tells one man's journey to survive after many struggles and losses in North Korea.

A harrowing insight to modern politics and regimes

Listened to this book while sewing, a insightful account of North Korea and why this regime should never be treated as a legitimate government of people. The repression is harrowing, but it also reaffirms my belief that what people of the world want is happiness, food, peace for their families, nothing more nothing less.

A tale that grips you from beginning to end.

Narrator was excellent. it was easy to tell that the translation was off in a few places but I feel it added to the story.

Great read.

Very moving story. Excellent narration.

A glimpse into the horrifying reality in North Korea. How very precious is our freedom!

Utterly Grateful

I listened without wanting to stop! My heart went out to his family the entire time. You can't listen to his story and not feel empathy. I was quickly reminded of the blessings in my own life...Blessings that no one should ever struggle to obtain. That said, his story also makes me feel shameful. I live in the U.S. There are many opportunities here. Makes me want to work even harder and not in the name of waistful vanity either, but of honor. I want to strive to be the kind of person who lives everyone, no matter who they are. I want to be kind to others, while I'm still living.

How does anyone survive North Korea

Masaji's story makes North Korea sound like Scientology turned up to 11, and cloaked in sadness. Unless you have a status of favor with the government officials, how you survive these conditions!? Masaji's story is utterly heartbreaking, dotted with a strong bond of family. During some of the darkest chapters, his commitment to his family was very beautiful and made everything he endured seem almost bearable. But even when you think he's turned things around, his story is still crushingly sad. Silver lining, this story makes me feel very grateful for my life.

One Man's Escape from North Korea had me hooked

I can say without any doubt that the only reason why I bought this was because of the subtitle. We have all heard about what it's like in North Korea, but a actual first person perspective. I had to hear it.

I'll tell you, I didn't read anything about this when I started it, and I won't spoil it for anyone who knows nothing about it. But Masaji's life was very, VERY interesting to say the least. I could not stop listening to it. I was so into his story that I googled the author after I finished the book, to see if there was anything else about him. The what happened next kinda stuff.

I couldn't find anything, probably because I think Masaji Ishikawa is a pen name. Anyway this is definitely worth the read/listen to.

A must read!!

I am so glad I read this story. It was so good that I couldn’t stop listening. It’s a must read for anyone to understand what’s going on in North Korea.