In Order to Live Audiobook By Yeonmi Park cover art

In Order to Live

A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom

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In Order to Live

By: Yeonmi Park
Narrated by: Eji Kim
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About this listen

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
Asia Gender Studies Korea Social Sciences Inspiring South Korea Thought-Provoking Heartfelt North Korea Korean Authors

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)

What listeners say about In Order to Live

Highly rated for:

Powerful Story Harrowing Journey Authentic Narration Inspiring Resilience Eye-opening Account Engaging Accent
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Great book<br />

One of the best books I've ever read. Not a dull paragraph in this whole book. Im going to read it again. We are so fortunate to live in the USA. You think you know about north korea, well you dont until.you read this very informative book. Thank you Yeonmi Park for writing this story. Best of.luck to you, your sister and mother.

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22 people found this helpful

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Inspiring! Sad and Tragic but Inspiring!

This is a must read. If you cam just hang on, the narrator really tries to pronounce Cleary her words. I was able to fully understand her narration. So glad I got this book. She was only 13 when her life took a tragic path that no child should ever endure! Yes it was hard to hear thr atrocities that happened to her and her family and her people in general but for her to overcome and her determination to bring attention to human trafficking is incredible. Thank you for sharimg your story!!

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6 people found this helpful

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Fantastic! A young women’s escape from N Korea

Fantastic book about a young women’s escape from North Korea.

Overall comments?
Fantastic listen! I cried many times as I listened to this 13-year-old escaped from North Korea. How she had to do many things just to stay alive. Very engrossing! I HIGHLY recommend this book to everyone!

What was one (or more) of the most memorable moments of In Order to Live?
I knew things were bad in North Korea, but I did not know how bad they were. I can’t imagine how young Yeonmi Park and her family starved and were tortured in North Korea—and then in China after being trafficked there.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I got very sad many times when I heard what this young woman had to grow up so fast and deal with issues of rape for herself and her mother.
Yeonmi had to become an adult to help her captor in the human trafficking trade.
I was so happy when she was able to get her parents out of North Korea and so sad when her father died of cancer soon after the escape.
I was inspired by her strength and fortitude to catch up on her education and become the scholar and activist that she is.
I heard an interview with her and immediately purchased her book. I was not disappointed.

Highly recommend this book!

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Loved!

This memoir was quite moving and it captivated me through the entire read. The book was easy to follow and the readers accent was well understood. I would 100% recommend reading this book.

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Inspiring story

An unsporting story about living and scalping from North Korea and the drive she had to become an activist. Everyone should read her story!

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recommend

outstanding, insightful autobiography
This book serves as an eye opening story everyone can learn from

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One of the top books of the year

Fascinating insights of North Korea, human trafficking and her journey to freedom.
Excellent performance and story, I have a hard time turning it off when I parked my car.

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The best memoir I've read

This powerful story reads first like a brilliant commentary on North Korean every day life, then as a brutal almost thriller like journey through China and finally a heroic and heartwarming journey through freedom. I was literally on the edge of my seat the entire time and would highly recommend this book and this specific audio recording to anybody.

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So so good and inspiring.

this should be required reading in every school. wow. she is so strong I can't imagine

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Slight Spoiler

The audio book narration on audible isn't stellar, but the story itself was incredible. Unlike The Girl with 7 Names, this story delves into human trafficking and rape, which is heartbreaking and harder to read but an important perspective to understand. Her bravery inspires me. Her resolve to gain a higher education despite prejudicial naysayers and to speak out at great personal risk is admirable. To be that vulnerable for the cause of human suffering speaks volumes.

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