Identify Containing Books Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea
| Title | : | Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea |
| Author | : | Barbara Demick |
| Book Format | : | Kindle Edition |
| Book Edition | : | Special Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 338 pages |
| Published | : | December 29th 2009 by Spiegel & Grau |
| Categories | : | Nonfiction. History. Politics. Cultural. Asia |
Barbara Demick
Kindle Edition | Pages: 338 pages Rating: 4.43 | 61811 Users | 7141 Reviews
Commentary In Pursuance Of Books Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea
Nothing to Envy follows the lives of six North Koreans over fifteen years—a chaotic period that saw the death of Kim Il-sung, 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 most of us have never before seen, award-winning journalist Barbara Demick brings to life what it means to be living under the most repressive totalitarian regime today—an Orwellian world that is by choice not connected to the Internet, in which radio and television dials are welded to the one government station, and where displays of affection are punished; a police state where informants are rewarded and where an offhand remark can send a person to the gulag for life.
Demick takes us deep inside the country, beyond the reach of government censors. Through meticulous and sensitive reporting, we see her six subjects—average North Korean citizens—fall in love, raise families, nurture ambitions, and struggle for survival. One by one, we experience the moments when they realize that their government has betrayed them.
Nothing to Envy is a groundbreaking addition to the literature of totalitarianism and an eye-opening look at a closed world that is of increasing global importance.
Declare Books Concering Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea
| Original Title: | Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea ASIN B002ZB26AO |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Setting: | Korea, Democratic People's Republic of North Korea(Korea, Democratic People's Republic of) |
| Literary Awards: | National Book Critics Circle Award Nominee for General Nonfiction (2010), Ryszard Kapuściński Prize Nominee (2011), Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction (2010), National Book Award Finalist for Nonfiction (2010) |
Rating Containing Books Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea
Ratings: 4.43 From 61811 Users | 7141 ReviewsArticle Containing Books Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea
I'm really pleased that I discovered and decided to purchase this book. I've always wondered how such a horrible regime could hold for so long, and now I've had quite a few questions answered. I've seen the propaganda, and have always wondered what's going on behind those blank faces. Now, I'll know just a bit of the true conflict, sadness and horror. Thanks to the author for these insights into just a few lives of these brave, strong willed people. Highly recommendedThis book was simultaneously a page-turner and hard as hell to read. I had trouble falling asleep last night because of it, and when I did I had some unsettling nightmares. This isn't a book I can read, write an "oh that's nice, that definitely added to my life" type of review and go about my day. This is some seriously skillful nonfiction. It calls to mind being fourteen and reading Wild Swans. There's a similar structure to both works; history of a country to get the big picture, and memoirs
This nonfiction book written by journalist Barbara Demick was published in 2009. It follows the lives of six North Koreans (actually more if you count family members) who manage to defect to South Korea. One could say the stories they tell might be biased against the North as they are the ones who chose to leave. On the other hand, as Demick explains, western reporters (she works for The Los Angeles Times) are not allowed any free access to Northern Koreans while they are in North Korea. There
Far from a dry accounting filled with historical detail, this is a look into the lives of six average North Koreans who eventually defect, giving investigative journalist Barbara Demick access to their stories. We are given a peek into what it is like to live under an extreme totalitarian regime. Children are taught to sing anthems of praise where they "have nothing to envy in this world." They are taught that they live in the greatest place on earth, and they know so little of the outside world
They dont stop to think that in the middle of this black hole, in this bleak, dark country where millions have died of starvation, there is also love. A painfully human look at North Korea (mostly) through the eyes of defectors now living in South Korea or China.Demick peels back the layers of propaganda, parades and leader worship to expose the people and lives underneath. If you're anything like me, you'll find it hard not to be fascinated by this exceptionally secretive country and wonder
North Korea is so closed off to the rest of the world that Barbara Demick had to interview defectors who escaped to South Korea to learn what conditions were like in the North. She concentrated on six individuals from Chongjin, a northwestern city, who crossed a river into China and eventually reached South Korea.They told the author about the famine under Kim Il-sung and Kim Song-il when thousands died. Industry stopped due to lack of power, workers were not paid, and monthly allotments of food
This was an extremely well written book about the ills that are experienced by those who live in North Korea. Operating under a regime that would make "big brother" proud, these poor people suffer from inhumane living, working, and survival elements that make those of us use to freedom and free choice cringe. The author, Miss Demick, follows the lives of six people whose lives are so controlled that they are not even permitted to embrace in public. Living under a dictatorship, the only other
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