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

Publisher's summary

In In Order to Live, Yeonmi Park shines a light not just into the darkest corners of life in North Korea, describing the deprivation and deception she endured and which millions of North Korean people continue to endure to this day, but also onto her own most painful and difficult memories. She tells with bravery and dignity for the first time the story of how she and her mother were betrayed and sold into sexual slavery in China and forced to suffer terrible psychological and physical hardship before they finally made their way to Seoul, South Korea - and to freedom.

Park confronts her past with a startling resilience. In spite of everything, she has never stopped being proud of where she is from, and never stopped striving for a better life. Indeed, today she is a human rights activist working determinedly to bring attention to the oppression taking place in her home country. Park’s testimony is heartbreaking and unimaginable, but never without hope. This is the human spirit at its most indomitable.

©2015 Yeonmi Park (P)2015 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"One of the most harrowing stories I have ever heard - and one of the most inspiring." (The Bookseller)

“Park's remarkable and inspiring story shines a light on a country whose inhabitants live in misery beyond comprehension. Park's important memoir showcases the strength of the human spirit and one young woman's incredible determination to never be hungry again.” (Publishers Weekly)

Resilience

I have always been terrified of North Korea and this story only feeds into that. The mind control. However, I feel such hope reading Yeonmi’s story! She helps remind everyone of the humanity struggling to survive in the country. This story forces the reader to look at the day to day realities of a human being trying to live the only life she has ever known in a devastated country. Heartbreaking, but also by the end an inspiring tale. I finished this book once, but I know I will listen again.

I am shocked by the resilience of Yeonmi at such a young age. I found myself jolted into shock EVERYTIME she would remind me how old she was at each point in the story.

I will say the narrator is a little tough to listen to because of the drawn out monotone way of reading. However, I upped the speed of her narration and after a while it did not detract from the story.

Loved this book

What made the experience of listening to In Order to Live the most enjoyable?

The people involved in this are people I would love to know & have in my life.

What did you like best about this story?

It gave me hope to overcome my own challenges.

Have you listened to any of Eji Kim’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is my first Eji Kim performance.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Something for anyone who has lived a life.

Any additional comments?

Very inspirational, I feel like this book definitely added dimension to my life.

Inspiring story

A story of courage and perseverance. It is so important to know how lucky it is to be born in a free country. Everyone should listen to or read this book and the world should rise up against these north Korean scum. Also, China is no better. So many shameful countries and "leaders". It is important that people like Yeonmi have a voice and speak out against these despicable criminals in north Korea and China.

Strong and wonderful story.

Strong and wonderful story, definitely worth the read or listen. May your voice never be silenced.

Yeonmi, you are one of my heroes.

Thank you for telling your story. Welcome to America. I hope you get all the opportunity in the world to achieve your goals.

humbling and moving, inspirational

this story really puts it into perspective the extent of the horrors that people endure in the world. The author is a survivor and her story is inspiring, moving, and incredible. she is so brave for sharing this. everything she lost and endured is not for nothing though. this is a very good listen and well organized retelling of her life.

indescribable

I'm a guy that doesnt cry a lot, I sobbed like a baby listening to Yeonmi's story. This is such an important book.

Incredible story of human endurance and dignity

This story practically reads itself. Well, I mean it’s a story that just flows forward like a river. There are a few times when the narrator’s pronunciation is a bit hard to understand. Overall well written, well performed and engrossing.

Remarkable - All the elements of a well-lived Life

This girl is remarkable in every way. Her thirst for survival, education, freedom of both body and soul. Her story should ring throughout the United States as well as all freedom aspiring and loving nations. It should stand as a warning to evil regime and against evils of communism as well. Most of all, this story should stand as a paragon of an individual and what they are capable of accomplishing no matter where they come from or whom they are - all they need to do is hope, and dream; while moving towards their goals.

Inspirational

This woman and her family are so brave. I am speechless as I write this review. I just finished listening to the Audio of this book and my heart is so broken, yet so proud. Yeonmi, her mother, father and sister are warriors.
I am so glad you have your family back.
Now, let’s save North Koreans!