Without You, There Is No Us by Suki Kim- A 15-minute Summary & Analysis: My Time with the Sons of North Korea's Elite

by Instaread Summaries

• Summary of entire book
• Introduction to the important people in the book
• Analysis of the themes, important people and author style Without You, There Is No Us is a memoir by Suki Kim. In her book, Suki portrays what it was like for a Korean American to teach English to the sons of the North Korean elite during the last few months of the life of Kim Jong-il. Suki Kim was born in South Korea, but she moved with her family to the United States when she was thirteen years old. When her homeland was divided into North and South Korea, with members of her family on both sides of the line, Suki wondered what life was like for the people who remained behind. She went to North Korea to learn more about what had become of her country, and to write a book based on her experiences there.
Suki first went to Pyongyang in 2008 to cover a concert of the New York Philharmonic. It was on this visit that… With Instaread, you can get the summary and analysis of a book in 15 minutes. We read every chapter, summarize and analyze it for your convenience.

38 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 9, 2015

About the author

With Instaread, you can get the summary and analysis of a book in 15 minutes. We read every chapter, summarize and analyze it for your convenience.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is another book that is difficult to rate. It is cleanly written, brief, and rather tragic, and I found it compelling. Suki Kim, in barely 200 pages, tells us something about her own family's history (her uncle was lost during the assault on Seoul and ended up in North Korea, a prisoner, at the age of 17), Korean culture, and her own experiences teaching relatively privileged North Korean college students. She came to love "her boys" deeply, but it's clear that there were walls she could never breach. One hopes these bright and (as she says) innocent young men may have a better future.

Fascinating, disturbing, and thought-provoking.

[Kathy Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

American teacher in North Korea

[Nytreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This an arresting look at North Korea through the eyes of a young American South Korean woman. She goes over with the goal to teach the college level elite men of North Korea. The depths of our ignorance about this culture is tested but not found. Simply put, we have no idea how this country runs. She arrives with the idea of writing a book about her experience. She must not be found out or she could face unknown dangers. We read about these people everyday being swept into prison for two years before the U.S. authorities must save them. Who are these people? Why in heavens name are they in North Korea? This book answers these questions. The answers are not what you think. The book is well written and easy to read. It's a good book for a book club, upper high school or college aged folks. The book is 293 pages.

[Sarah Ewald · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I read the actual book, not this summary...)

I got this book as a GoodReads giveaway, so it was an uncorrected proof copy. While not a great literary read, I did find it very interesting look at life in North Korea. It is the memoir of Suki Kim who spend several semesters teaching English at a government school for high school age boys in North Korea. Her observations of life in North Korea is frightening, and makes you feel sorry for its citizens who are force-fed ideologies make up by the government. Over time, she connects with her students as a teacher, but dispite that, she is kept at arm's length with their reluctance to accept her friendship. A very interesting read.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Without You, There Is No Us by Suki Kim is a timely book, considering the situation in North Korea. Kim gives a glimpse into the unknown world and culture of North Korea through her position as university teacher of male, upper class college students. Her background as a journalist is reflected and makes the memoir believable. At the same time, the expression of her feelings about her students and the people of North Korea builds a sense of compassion toward them. That’s not easy, considering the repressive government and cult of Kim Jong-il. Definitely a significant read!

[Tora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't know much about NK. Feel like I know a bit more now.

[Tamara McKinney]

Interesting

[Rosanne Friedlander · Rating 3 out of 5]

What you don't know can't hurt you??