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Poslednji izgnanici
Nezaboravna saga inspirisana istinitim događajima, Poslednji izgnanici nam donose upečatljiv i potresan portret mladog para u Severnoj Koreji i njihove borbe za ljubav i slobodu.
Ćin i Sođa upoznali su se i zaljubili jedno u drugo dok su studirali na Univerzitetu u Pjongjangu. Ona je bila mlada novinarka iz ugledne porodice, dok je on poticao iz siromašnog gradića u unutrašnjosti. U Severnoj Koreji dolazi do velikih političkih previranja, zemlja je utonula u haos, vlada glad. Kada se Ćin vrati kući i zatekne svoju porodicu kako gladuje jer su im zalihe hrane oduzete u poslednjoj raciji, donosi ishitrenu odluku koja će ga proganjati do kraja života. U međuvremenu, stotinama kilometara dalje, Sođa počinje da oseća ispraznost privilegija kojima je okružena kada sazna da je Ćin nestao. Stavljajući sve na kocku i prkoseći svojoj porodici, Sođa odlučuje da ga pronađe i kreće na opasno putovanje koje je vodi u mračno kriminalno podzemlje, što će na probu staviti njihovu ljubav i volju za preživljavanjem.
Ćin i Sođa upoznali su se i zaljubili jedno u drugo dok su studirali na Univerzitetu u Pjongjangu. Ona je bila mlada novinarka iz ugledne porodice, dok je on poticao iz siromašnog gradića u unutrašnjosti. U Severnoj Koreji dolazi do velikih političkih previranja, zemlja je utonula u haos, vlada glad. Kada se Ćin vrati kući i zatekne svoju porodicu kako gladuje jer su im zalihe hrane oduzete u poslednjoj raciji, donosi ishitrenu odluku koja će ga proganjati do kraja života. U međuvremenu, stotinama kilometara dalje, Sođa počinje da oseća ispraznost privilegija kojima je okružena kada sazna da je Ćin nestao. Stavljajući sve na kocku i prkoseći svojoj porodici, Sođa odlučuje da ga pronađe i kreće na opasno putovanje koje je vodi u mračno kriminalno podzemlje, što će na probu staviti njihovu ljubav i volju za preživljavanjem.
327 pages, Paperback
First published April 6, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 317 reviews
June 10, 2021
THE LAST EXILES had me hooked from the first page. It was a compelling page turner that blended adventure and suspense with elements of harrowing courage and unrelenting love. It also featured my favorite element of historical fiction, a focus on a lesser known chapter in history or a topic I know little to nothing about. In this case: North Korea.
The pacing was propelled by captivating dialogue, vivid characters and poignant glimpses at everyday realities. Overall- it was an unforgettable story about the power of love and the resilience of the human spirit. So so good.
FOUND: Via What Should I Read Next podcast ep280. Also, the 2021 Modern Mrs. Darcy Summer Reading Guide.
BOOK FLIGHT: I happened to read this at the same time as Crying in H Mart which has a strong connection to South Korea. It was a delightfully serendipitous pairing.
The pacing was propelled by captivating dialogue, vivid characters and poignant glimpses at everyday realities. Overall- it was an unforgettable story about the power of love and the resilience of the human spirit. So so good.
FOUND: Via What Should I Read Next podcast ep280. Also, the 2021 Modern Mrs. Darcy Summer Reading Guide.
BOOK FLIGHT: I happened to read this at the same time as Crying in H Mart which has a strong connection to South Korea. It was a delightfully serendipitous pairing.
March 7, 2021
3.5 stars
My decision to read The Last Exiles by Ann Shin was in part motivated by a desire to get a futher glimpse into life in North Korea. Having read The Girl With Seven Lives I had something of an understanding of the dismal conditions and the difficulties of trying to escape from that country. I was drawn in by the blurb which described The Last Exiles as being inspired by true events. Oddly though, my early impressions were that some of the events felt highly implausible. For this reason this book and I got off to a slow start but I found the second half more compelling.
The story tells of two young North Korean university students. Though they had vastly different home lives they both demonstrated what I consider to be the idealogical indoctrination (aka brainwashing) of the oppressive regime that ruled their nation. They both stayed within the boundaries of what was allowed and they both spoke passionately of the Dear Leader believing in the righteousness of all his rules.
Suja's family was relatively well off in North Korean terms whereas Jin was from an impoverished farming family. When he returned during uni break to find his family starving and their last remaining food stolen he was infuriated and reacted impulsively. This was the catalyst for events that changed both Jin and Suja's lives and ultimately the eye opening realisation that their beloved North Korean leader was not doing right by his people.
The second half of the story was one of defection and escape to China. It was also a story of risking everything in the name of love. It shone a light on brokers, the lack of honesty and trust when dealing in the underground and black market. It drew attention to human trafficking and the mistreatment and dangers for all illegal immigrants to China.
Overall, the story worked well enough. I was able to put aside my earlier reservations about plausibility and didnt get hung up on the way the ending came together. If you haven't been exposed to stories set in North Korea this one would surely open your eyes and make you glad not to have been born there.
My thanks to Harlequin, Park Row Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity of reading this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 10, 2022
I love books about escape. This one is among the best of them.
I have read a few novels where someone is trying to escape, but a lot of them were prison breaks and the escapee was dodgy. Not here. The two main characters are bright, upstanding citizens from North Korea. The tension is almost constant, which made putting the book down difficult.
Towards the beginning, terrible things were happening to other people, and I was hoping this would be the way readers would experience the atrocities committed (as a step removed) but I was very wrong. The main characters were naive which resulted in some unfortunate choices and outcomes.
The author’s language and style were simple in a good way. It wasn’t convoluted. A few flashbacks were done in the moment rather than confusing the timeline like many other books do. It was all plot-driven.
Unfortunately the book is inspired by true events. The things people can do to other people.
I have read a few novels where someone is trying to escape, but a lot of them were prison breaks and the escapee was dodgy. Not here. The two main characters are bright, upstanding citizens from North Korea. The tension is almost constant, which made putting the book down difficult.
Towards the beginning, terrible things were happening to other people, and I was hoping this would be the way readers would experience the atrocities committed (as a step removed) but I was very wrong. The main characters were naive which resulted in some unfortunate choices and outcomes.
The author’s language and style were simple in a good way. It wasn’t convoluted. A few flashbacks were done in the moment rather than confusing the timeline like many other books do. It was all plot-driven.
Unfortunately the book is inspired by true events. The things people can do to other people.
May 24, 2021
I don't know much about the conditions in North Korea or the dangers of trying to escape the country and regime, so when this book was offered for review, I decided to grab it for a read/listen. The story tells of two young North Korean university students. Suja from a well off family, and Jin a scholarship student from an impoverished village. Even though they came from different backgrounds, they were very supportive of the Supreme Leader and the regime that was ruling their nation, until things happened that changed their lives. When Jin returned home during University break to find his family starving and their last remaining food stolen he was angry and found himself making a mistake that ruined his life. He disappears and Sulja does everything she can to find out what happened to him. This action changed both Jin's and Sulja's lives. The second half of the story was about defection and escape to China.
Ann Shin writes a story that gives readers a peek at life inside the walls of North Korea. It shows how brainwashing, the black market, dictatorship and corruption are rampant while still sharing a story of intense love. It also shone a light on brokers and their lack of honesty, the risks you take when dealing in the underground and black market as well as bringing attention to human trafficking and the mistreatment and dangers for illegal immigrants to China. I was drawn into Jin's and Suja's story, crying for both of them at times. Suja gave up a good life with her family to find her true love and she went through a lot in that search. She was so strong and courageous, but my heart broke for her. It is easy to judge and say you would never do something, but we see that that innate drive to survive has people doing things they would never do otherwise.
Overall, this is a moving story about surviving by any means necessary, highlighting love, sacrifice, resilience and liberty. This book is based on a true story and that made it even harder to accept what these characters went through. This is a debut book and I will watch for more by Ann Shin. June Angela narrates this book with expression, voices and emotion. Her quiet voice when narrating Suja, is complemented by the voices she uses for the male characters. This is the first book I have listened to narrated by this talented actress, and I will not hesitate to listen to others she voices. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.
Ann Shin writes a story that gives readers a peek at life inside the walls of North Korea. It shows how brainwashing, the black market, dictatorship and corruption are rampant while still sharing a story of intense love. It also shone a light on brokers and their lack of honesty, the risks you take when dealing in the underground and black market as well as bringing attention to human trafficking and the mistreatment and dangers for illegal immigrants to China. I was drawn into Jin's and Suja's story, crying for both of them at times. Suja gave up a good life with her family to find her true love and she went through a lot in that search. She was so strong and courageous, but my heart broke for her. It is easy to judge and say you would never do something, but we see that that innate drive to survive has people doing things they would never do otherwise.
Overall, this is a moving story about surviving by any means necessary, highlighting love, sacrifice, resilience and liberty. This book is based on a true story and that made it even harder to accept what these characters went through. This is a debut book and I will watch for more by Ann Shin. June Angela narrates this book with expression, voices and emotion. Her quiet voice when narrating Suja, is complemented by the voices she uses for the male characters. This is the first book I have listened to narrated by this talented actress, and I will not hesitate to listen to others she voices. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.
June 12, 2021
Our last bookclub read until September. This debut novel is set in North Korea and follows Jin and Suja two characters that illustrate the complexities of the country that has raised them.
The fact that Ann Shin is a documentary filmmaker is very present in this novel. The experiences of the characters are very reflective of Shin's knowledge of that country and what life inside the guarded walls really is. Through Suja, we see the privilege and the wealth, while Jin's family represents the hardships and poverty. Based on true events which the author indicates in her acknowledgments that she interviewed defectors. If I have a sticking point is that the last few chapters wrap the story up rather quickly and I wish there had been a detailed author's note to give readers a little more current information. All in all, I did enjoy this novel.
#erinrossreads2021 #readersofinstagram #goodreads #teachersandbooks @ann.shin1
Goodreads review published 12/06/21
The fact that Ann Shin is a documentary filmmaker is very present in this novel. The experiences of the characters are very reflective of Shin's knowledge of that country and what life inside the guarded walls really is. Through Suja, we see the privilege and the wealth, while Jin's family represents the hardships and poverty. Based on true events which the author indicates in her acknowledgments that she interviewed defectors. If I have a sticking point is that the last few chapters wrap the story up rather quickly and I wish there had been a detailed author's note to give readers a little more current information. All in all, I did enjoy this novel.
#erinrossreads2021 #readersofinstagram #goodreads #teachersandbooks @ann.shin1
Goodreads review published 12/06/21
August 25, 2021
The Last Exiles would make the perfect book club read!
I'm a huge fan of stories based on true events. This did not disappoint.
Beautifully written, captivating and powerful. I will be thinking about this book for a very long time. The fact that this is Ann Shins debut is extremely impressive. I can't wait to see what she writes next.
Thank you so much to the author for this gifted copy.
I'm a huge fan of stories based on true events. This did not disappoint.
Beautifully written, captivating and powerful. I will be thinking about this book for a very long time. The fact that this is Ann Shins debut is extremely impressive. I can't wait to see what she writes next.
Thank you so much to the author for this gifted copy.
April 10, 2021
I received a copy of The Last Exiles from Harper Collins Canada in exchange for an honest review.
The Last Exiles follows a young man and woman in North Korea as they meet and fall in love while in university. They come from two very different classes in society but nevertheless they find a connection and attraction between them. On a visit home to his poor village, Jin finds just how badly his family is suffering under the current political climate and makes a rash decision that will change his life - and Suja’s - forever. Before long, the two lovers are separated yet determined to find their way back to one another. This will mean escaping the country in which they were born into, and even then, freedom may not be quite as easy.
After having lived in South Korea for awhile and learning more about the history between North and South Korea, I started this novel with great interest in getting a more novel look into the lives of North Koreans. Life in North Korea is not as widely known as not many North Koreans are able to make it out to tell their stories. I thought that it was a very interesting narrative told from Jin and Suja’s point of view. The events of the story were harrowing and quite intense, even more so later in the book when Jin and Suja escape to China separately. The experiences that they have to go through even when they are “free” from North Korea is still quite traumatic especially for Suja, as a woman.
I found The Last Exiles to be a eye-opening story that approached many tough situations and themes head on. It is a story that shows the North Korea situation is not quite as romantic as South Korean dramas perhaps make it seem (I’m thinking of Crash Landing Into You here.)
Thank you to Harper Collins Canada for sending me a copy of the novel.
The Last Exiles follows a young man and woman in North Korea as they meet and fall in love while in university. They come from two very different classes in society but nevertheless they find a connection and attraction between them. On a visit home to his poor village, Jin finds just how badly his family is suffering under the current political climate and makes a rash decision that will change his life - and Suja’s - forever. Before long, the two lovers are separated yet determined to find their way back to one another. This will mean escaping the country in which they were born into, and even then, freedom may not be quite as easy.
After having lived in South Korea for awhile and learning more about the history between North and South Korea, I started this novel with great interest in getting a more novel look into the lives of North Koreans. Life in North Korea is not as widely known as not many North Koreans are able to make it out to tell their stories. I thought that it was a very interesting narrative told from Jin and Suja’s point of view. The events of the story were harrowing and quite intense, even more so later in the book when Jin and Suja escape to China separately. The experiences that they have to go through even when they are “free” from North Korea is still quite traumatic especially for Suja, as a woman.
I found The Last Exiles to be a eye-opening story that approached many tough situations and themes head on. It is a story that shows the North Korea situation is not quite as romantic as South Korean dramas perhaps make it seem (I’m thinking of Crash Landing Into You here.)
Thank you to Harper Collins Canada for sending me a copy of the novel.
April 10, 2021
Clearly a very well researched and for me, a very personal and emotional journey of Jin and Suja who are college students in North Korea. I want to be careful of any spoilers but I will say that this really highlights the hardships that people in North Korea face and not only in North Korea but in China as well. I have read and heard about what life is like in North Korea and it's so heartbreaking as I know in my own family, there were cousins of my grandmother who were in North Korea and could not make it back to Seoul when the borders closed. I remember watching secret footage of North Korea with my parents and grandparents and seeing the pain on their faces. When there were a small number of families that were trying to reunify, I remember asking my grandmother if she would try to reunite with her family. She said no because it may be more painful to see someone for an hour and then give them no hope to leave their situation. What a heartbreaking consideration. I think there are some nonfiction reads about people who have been able to leave North Korea but I loved reading this fictional story that really highlights love, strength, resilience and hope.
May 11, 2021
For those of us who know little about the lives of people living in N. Korea, this novel is an excellent place to begin. I enjoyed the action, characters, and descriptions of a world so unlike my own. The story of a young couple's search for one another, through varying social, economic, and physical landscapes is beautifully written, compelling, and heartfelt. I highly recommend Ann Shin's debut novel.
June 8, 2022
An unflinching look at North Korea under the devastating dictatorship of Kim Jong-il. Told through the trials of two college students, young and in love, who find themselves in dire straits.
Hard to read at times. Sad. Devastating. But proves that love, and a little bit of hope, are all a person needs to survive.
Definitely a must read as a modern day historical lesson. Four stars rather than five solely due to wishing there was an afterward that went into more historical detail and/or explained the research that went into the book.
Hard to read at times. Sad. Devastating. But proves that love, and a little bit of hope, are all a person needs to survive.
Definitely a must read as a modern day historical lesson. Four stars rather than five solely due to wishing there was an afterward that went into more historical detail and/or explained the research that went into the book.
November 6, 2021
This was really good- the first book I’ve read set in North Korea and focused on protagonists trying to escape into China (and eventually to a country where they can live freely). It was fascinating to get a glimpse of North Korean culture from the inside, and heartbreaking how incredibly difficult it is to get out. This was a fast, compelling read, but I felt like it ended too soon- I need to know what ended up happening with Suja and Jin!
January 23, 2023
Through the majority of this book, I thought it was set in past North Korea and China because I couldn’t imagine the horror they had to go through in this book was still happening but I checked, and it’s actually set in 2021. I was shocked! Tbh I can’t decide wether Jin or Suja had a worse journey, they were both that bad, although it was a very enjoyable and romantic book. I especially loved their reunion but it was frustrating to see all their near misses before ( made me think of Thomas Hardy lol ). Overall, would recommend!
August 19, 2022
This book was gut wrenching. Definitely raw and real feels throughout. It kept me enthralled. I enjoyed the author's description of the characters in their environments from the very beginning. She was able to give me a sense of their personalities and relationships to each other, right from the start.
'They fell into step with each other, and Suja could feel the rhythm of their bodies naturally align, like the hands of a swimmer cutting into the velvety water of a lake. She looked at Jin and felt a sense of calm come over her. With him at her side she felt everything would go smoothly. Everything would turn out fine.'
'They fell into step with each other, and Suja could feel the rhythm of their bodies naturally align, like the hands of a swimmer cutting into the velvety water of a lake. She looked at Jin and felt a sense of calm come over her. With him at her side she felt everything would go smoothly. Everything would turn out fine.'
July 19, 2021
Congratulations to author Ann Shinn for this wonderful novel. This is my first book written in a North Korea setting and even though I it’s a novel she accurately depicts the circumstances of life in this god forsaken country. Her characterizations are compelling and keep the reader firmly involved from beginning to end. A wonderful read!
June 8, 2021
This is a fictional story of 2 university students in North Korea that meet and fall in love. But the story is much more than just a “romance.”
Suja is from a prominent family while Jin is from an impoverished family at the university on a scholarship. When Jin returns home and sees his family starving and their home has just been raided, he makes an impulsive decision and steals food for his family. Shortly after, he is caught and sent to prison. He later manages to escape. When Suja hears about his escape, she decides to leave North Korea to try and find him. (This was the only part I had a little hard time trying to understand because, of course, to leave North Korea she had to leave everyone behind without telling anyone).
That being said, there is so much more to this story. It is fast paced and kept my interest and made me want to keep reading and rooting for Suja and Jin.
Suja is from a prominent family while Jin is from an impoverished family at the university on a scholarship. When Jin returns home and sees his family starving and their home has just been raided, he makes an impulsive decision and steals food for his family. Shortly after, he is caught and sent to prison. He later manages to escape. When Suja hears about his escape, she decides to leave North Korea to try and find him. (This was the only part I had a little hard time trying to understand because, of course, to leave North Korea she had to leave everyone behind without telling anyone).
That being said, there is so much more to this story. It is fast paced and kept my interest and made me want to keep reading and rooting for Suja and Jin.
May 27, 2021
2.5!
The Last Exiles follows the story of two Pyongyang university students, Suja and Jin, and their journey defecting from North Korea. One is on the run after escaping prison and the other is on a quest to reunite with their lover. Along the way we learn about life under dictatorship, corruption, and the underground marriage market.
I struggled to connect to the characters individually as people and also in the context of their relationship. I would have liked more backstory behind how their relationship really blossomed. It felt like we were introduced to a rushed enemies-to-lovers type scenario. We were told as readers that the two protagonists were very important to each other which justified their decision to defect from North Korea, but because the development in their relationship felt so rushed, I had a hard time empathizing with their actions since it didn't feel believable. I found myself questioning at times whether they really loved each other or whether this was just some young lover's honeymoon phase they got caught up in. Suja's bold decision to abandon her family and high class standing in North Korea made it hard as a reader to empathize with because it felt naive and rash. I know that the love between Suja and Jin is only one aspect of the story used as a tool to discuss the wider issues going on in North Korea but I still feel like the characterization was worth mentioning. In the end, when Suja and Jin watch North Koreans mourn the death of Kim Jong Il they are able to see the lies they've been fed. However, I feel like this "revelation" was never fleshed out fully and we never got to see the development in this switch in mindset.
The author gives us readers a glimpse into the life of North Korea as well as the myriad of struggles and discrimination that defectors face once they get out of the country. As someone with only cursory knowledge of North Korea, I thought this book was a good introduction into some of the harsh realties faced there. While it felt like there were many plot conveniences and coincidences throughout the book, I still appreciated reading it because it's now inspired me to dive into other books revolving around the North Korean experience.
The Last Exiles follows the story of two Pyongyang university students, Suja and Jin, and their journey defecting from North Korea. One is on the run after escaping prison and the other is on a quest to reunite with their lover. Along the way we learn about life under dictatorship, corruption, and the underground marriage market.
I struggled to connect to the characters individually as people and also in the context of their relationship. I would have liked more backstory behind how their relationship really blossomed. It felt like we were introduced to a rushed enemies-to-lovers type scenario. We were told as readers that the two protagonists were very important to each other which justified their decision to defect from North Korea, but because the development in their relationship felt so rushed, I had a hard time empathizing with their actions since it didn't feel believable. I found myself questioning at times whether they really loved each other or whether this was just some young lover's honeymoon phase they got caught up in. Suja's bold decision to abandon her family and high class standing in North Korea made it hard as a reader to empathize with because it felt naive and rash. I know that the love between Suja and Jin is only one aspect of the story used as a tool to discuss the wider issues going on in North Korea but I still feel like the characterization was worth mentioning. In the end, when Suja and Jin watch North Koreans mourn the death of Kim Jong Il they are able to see the lies they've been fed. However, I feel like this "revelation" was never fleshed out fully and we never got to see the development in this switch in mindset.
The author gives us readers a glimpse into the life of North Korea as well as the myriad of struggles and discrimination that defectors face once they get out of the country. As someone with only cursory knowledge of North Korea, I thought this book was a good introduction into some of the harsh realties faced there. While it felt like there were many plot conveniences and coincidences throughout the book, I still appreciated reading it because it's now inspired me to dive into other books revolving around the North Korean experience.
April 28, 2021
I highly recommend! The Last Exiles was such a vivid read that, while technically a romance novel, captures so many different genres. The story follows Jin and Suja in their harrowing journey from the oppressive North Korea and into China. Jin comes from a family of peasants, while Suja is the daughter of the head reporter at the premier news agency in North Korea. While their backgrounds couldn’t be more different, they meet and fall in love in Pyongyang at University. Separated against their will, they will do anything to find one another (and I mean ANYTHING!)
I just finished watching the K-drama, Crash Landing on You with my boyfriend, which, funnily enough, is a romance that takes place in North Korea (literally this is a MUCH watch show, each episode is long but you WILL laugh and cry). #Thelastexiles, however, contrasts from CLoY in that it shows the much darker (and I’m sure realistic) sides of North Korea. The novel is definitely very bleak with the few glimpses into happiness/bliss found in the relationship between Suja and Jin. The writing was easily digestible and kept me interested the entire time with some really intimate and beautiful moments as well. I was rooting SO HARD for a reunion between Jin and Suja— but I guess you’ll have to read the book to find out if they have their happy ending!
I do wish the passage of time were a little clearer; I often had trouble telling how much time had passed between chapters. Perhaps this was purposeful of the author, but I definitely found it a bit confusing at times. I also wish that Suja had a bit more agency — Like, I totally understand that her world was completely turned upside-down and she went from a pampered schoolgirl to literally being on the run, but, I don’t know, I just wish that she got the opportunity to really use the brain that she so clearly has!
Anyway, kudos to @ann.shin1 for an amazing debut novel— I can’t wait to see what you write next! Such an interesting, well-researched, and entertaining first novel!
CW: Sexual assault, violence/domestic abuse
I just finished watching the K-drama, Crash Landing on You with my boyfriend, which, funnily enough, is a romance that takes place in North Korea (literally this is a MUCH watch show, each episode is long but you WILL laugh and cry). #Thelastexiles, however, contrasts from CLoY in that it shows the much darker (and I’m sure realistic) sides of North Korea. The novel is definitely very bleak with the few glimpses into happiness/bliss found in the relationship between Suja and Jin. The writing was easily digestible and kept me interested the entire time with some really intimate and beautiful moments as well. I was rooting SO HARD for a reunion between Jin and Suja— but I guess you’ll have to read the book to find out if they have their happy ending!
I do wish the passage of time were a little clearer; I often had trouble telling how much time had passed between chapters. Perhaps this was purposeful of the author, but I definitely found it a bit confusing at times. I also wish that Suja had a bit more agency — Like, I totally understand that her world was completely turned upside-down and she went from a pampered schoolgirl to literally being on the run, but, I don’t know, I just wish that she got the opportunity to really use the brain that she so clearly has!
Anyway, kudos to @ann.shin1 for an amazing debut novel— I can’t wait to see what you write next! Such an interesting, well-researched, and entertaining first novel!
CW: Sexual assault, violence/domestic abuse
April 6, 2021
[4.5/5 stars]
Jin and Suja fell in love while studying at university in Pyongyang. She's privileged, from a prominent family and he's humble, from a small village up north. When Jin returns home to find his family starving, he makes an impetuous decision that will impact the rest of his life.
THE LAST EXILES is so good that I will try to write quite vaguely in order to not spoil anything. The story flips back and forth between Suja and Jin's perspective - it begins by capturing the wide divide between him and Suja and how their fate is tied to family roots/status. Shin offers a rare glimpse at life inside the guarded walls of North Korea, where brainwash, black market, dictatorship, corruption and abuse of power are recurrent. We are allowed to see how North Korea works different in terms of economy and politics compared to our common knowledge about South Korea.
Then Shin introduces us to the alarming and horrific truths about China, shining a light on human traffic and black market. The hardships that Suja goes through are as realistic as the experiences that I have read in non-fiction books, showing how much research Shin put into the story. I was often afraid of what could happed to the characters and I didn't want to put the book down. It is ultimately a moving story about surviving by any means necessary, highlighting love, sacrifice, resilience and liberty. My small critique is that I thought that Jin's escape was too "easy", however I would understand that this fact isn't the focus of the story.
Inspired by true events, this is a solid debut with fluid writing that paints a vivid portrait of a young couple in North Korea and their fight for love and freedom. This plot-driven saga pierced my heart and I can't recommend it enough.
tw: violence, rape
[ I received an ARC from the publisher - Park Row books - in exchange for an honest review ]
Jin and Suja fell in love while studying at university in Pyongyang. She's privileged, from a prominent family and he's humble, from a small village up north. When Jin returns home to find his family starving, he makes an impetuous decision that will impact the rest of his life.
THE LAST EXILES is so good that I will try to write quite vaguely in order to not spoil anything. The story flips back and forth between Suja and Jin's perspective - it begins by capturing the wide divide between him and Suja and how their fate is tied to family roots/status. Shin offers a rare glimpse at life inside the guarded walls of North Korea, where brainwash, black market, dictatorship, corruption and abuse of power are recurrent. We are allowed to see how North Korea works different in terms of economy and politics compared to our common knowledge about South Korea.
Then Shin introduces us to the alarming and horrific truths about China, shining a light on human traffic and black market. The hardships that Suja goes through are as realistic as the experiences that I have read in non-fiction books, showing how much research Shin put into the story. I was often afraid of what could happed to the characters and I didn't want to put the book down. It is ultimately a moving story about surviving by any means necessary, highlighting love, sacrifice, resilience and liberty. My small critique is that I thought that Jin's escape was too "easy", however I would understand that this fact isn't the focus of the story.
Inspired by true events, this is a solid debut with fluid writing that paints a vivid portrait of a young couple in North Korea and their fight for love and freedom. This plot-driven saga pierced my heart and I can't recommend it enough.
tw: violence, rape
[ I received an ARC from the publisher - Park Row books - in exchange for an honest review ]
May 2, 2021
Every child born in North Korea is born with the same naivety, love and hope of those born in the west. This book shines a bright light on what a culture of fear and repression can do to that naive heart in all of us.
It provides a relatable step into a profoundly foreign world. The naivety of young love, the boundless cruelty of a society buried in fear. The enduring hope and heart which may not survive but can struggle. With a memorable volley of right chosen words the novel reminds us of the fine balance between hope, struggle and despair that resides in the human soul.
It provides a relatable step into a profoundly foreign world. The naivety of young love, the boundless cruelty of a society buried in fear. The enduring hope and heart which may not survive but can struggle. With a memorable volley of right chosen words the novel reminds us of the fine balance between hope, struggle and despair that resides in the human soul.
July 31, 2021
This was just ok. I found the writing style to be more “telling not showing” and it just irks me. I think this book also didn’t grab me totally because I’ve read Nothing to Envy (nonfiction) plus a memoir of a North Korea escapee and both real stories were more compelling to me than this love story. I feel like it tried to capture the experiences of about 50 North Koreans in 2 characters’ experiences and it was just too much (even though I know every one of those experiences described happens to real people).
June 6, 2021
Learned a lot and made me want to continue learning about life in North Korea
June 11, 2021
Travel through this book to China and North Korea --
September 24, 2021
I was motivated to read The Last Exiles as I thought it would provide a rare insight into life in North Korea. I was right. Ann has done her research and through an engaging storyline, illustrates the many struggles faced both within the country and the hardships faced trying to defect from it. It was most illuminating.
‘She had always been true and faithful to the Party, but a trapdoor had opened and everything she held to be true and fundamental was slipping, falling into an abyss.’
Within the borders of North Korea, Ann covers both the life of city and country, the well off and the destitute - all in all, rather confronting from wherever you stand. Whether it be the dictatorship and corruption, or brainwashing and brokers, she lays it all out for her readers to see. Told through the eyes of a young couple in love, this provided the perfect avenue to issues such as human trafficking and the ordeal of illegal immigration as examples. Quite extraordinary to consider that separated by a river, life can be so very different for those across the border in China.
‘Back home his family was still living in famine conditions under the austerity regime, while here the average citizen ate meat, had electricity in their home and drove around in a car. There was no reason why North Koreans couldn’t live like this too. How could the Dear Leader have kept this all away from his own people?
How could Jin have devoted his life to this leader who had banished him from his country and his family, ultimately over a sack of cornmeal?’
The two main leads work their way through many hardships, providing the perfect mode to highlight the conditions. Yes, at times some events may appear lucky or coincidental, but dive deeper and focus on what Ann is trying to convey. Suja sacrificed so much and both she and Jin exhibited such a strong determination to both survive and thrive. Their harrowing experiences so foreign and at times incomprehensible to our own.
Overall this is a story of love and hope, bravery and fortitude and the resilience of the human spirit. Maybe too resilient, as Ann alludes to ….
‘The fabric of life in North Korea was riddled with dark holes, and yet somehow it held together. … Everyone had their losses; they knew to close up these losses and to go on with life, never speak of it again. Sometimes humans are too resilient for their own good.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
‘She had always been true and faithful to the Party, but a trapdoor had opened and everything she held to be true and fundamental was slipping, falling into an abyss.’
Within the borders of North Korea, Ann covers both the life of city and country, the well off and the destitute - all in all, rather confronting from wherever you stand. Whether it be the dictatorship and corruption, or brainwashing and brokers, she lays it all out for her readers to see. Told through the eyes of a young couple in love, this provided the perfect avenue to issues such as human trafficking and the ordeal of illegal immigration as examples. Quite extraordinary to consider that separated by a river, life can be so very different for those across the border in China.
‘Back home his family was still living in famine conditions under the austerity regime, while here the average citizen ate meat, had electricity in their home and drove around in a car. There was no reason why North Koreans couldn’t live like this too. How could the Dear Leader have kept this all away from his own people?
How could Jin have devoted his life to this leader who had banished him from his country and his family, ultimately over a sack of cornmeal?’
The two main leads work their way through many hardships, providing the perfect mode to highlight the conditions. Yes, at times some events may appear lucky or coincidental, but dive deeper and focus on what Ann is trying to convey. Suja sacrificed so much and both she and Jin exhibited such a strong determination to both survive and thrive. Their harrowing experiences so foreign and at times incomprehensible to our own.
Overall this is a story of love and hope, bravery and fortitude and the resilience of the human spirit. Maybe too resilient, as Ann alludes to ….
‘The fabric of life in North Korea was riddled with dark holes, and yet somehow it held together. … Everyone had their losses; they knew to close up these losses and to go on with life, never speak of it again. Sometimes humans are too resilient for their own good.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
May 5, 2023
Osvrt
"Posljednji izgnanici" - Ann Shin
Život u Sjevernoj Koreji nije nimalo lagan. Ljudima nedostaje osnovnih ljudskih prava i slobode, a najviše od svega nedostaje im hrane.
Jin sa porodicom živi u malom gradiću na sjeveru zemlje. Kao i većina porodica, i oni žive siromašno. Jin dobije stipendiju i odlazi na studij u Pjongjang. Tamo upoznaje Suju, lijepu i uspješnu studenticu. Suja potiče iz ugledne porodice. Nikad joj nije ništa falilo, pa nije ni svjesna kako živi većina ljudi u njenoj domovini. Između Suje i Jina se rađa ljubav. Provode dosta vremena zajedno i maštaju o zajedničkoj budućnosti. Sve je bilo dobro dok Jin ne ode posjetiti svoju porodicu.
Prizor koji Jin zatekne kod kuće, duboko ga povrijedi. Njegova porodica je u posljednjoj policijskoj raciji ostala bez svih namirnica. Nemaju šta da jedu. Plaše se da će umrijeti od gladi. Shrvan stanjem u kojem se njegova porodica nalazi, on uradi nešto što će zauvijek promijeniti njegov i živote njegovih voljenih.
U Pjongjangu, Suja ga željno očekuje. Kad se vrati povrijeđen i u ranama, Suja se zabrine, ali on joj ne otkriva šta se desilo.
"Znaj da si najvažnija osoba u mom životu. Moje srce je kod tebe i uvijek ću biti sa tobom."
Nedugo potom, Jina uhapse. Suja je očajna. Svakim danom, nedostaje joj sve više. Odluči da ga traži. Svjesna je da to nije lahko nimalo. Ne može nikome vjerovati.
"Uvijek je koračala poznatim putem, ali sada nije znala u šta se upušta."
Potraga za Jinom, Suju odvodi daleko od kuće i života na koji je navikla. Naći će se u opasnim situacijama, doživjeće stvari za koje nije nikad ni pomislila da bi joj se mogle dogoditi.
Jin se bori za slobodu. Sjeća se svih trenutaka provedenih sa Sujom. Mašta da opet budu zajedno.
Likovi i događaji u knjizi su izmišljeni, ali autorica je knjigu napisala inspirisana pričama bjegunaca iz Sjeverne Koreje koje je upoznala u Kini.
Preporuke.
"Posljednji izgnanici" - Ann Shin
Život u Sjevernoj Koreji nije nimalo lagan. Ljudima nedostaje osnovnih ljudskih prava i slobode, a najviše od svega nedostaje im hrane.
Jin sa porodicom živi u malom gradiću na sjeveru zemlje. Kao i većina porodica, i oni žive siromašno. Jin dobije stipendiju i odlazi na studij u Pjongjang. Tamo upoznaje Suju, lijepu i uspješnu studenticu. Suja potiče iz ugledne porodice. Nikad joj nije ništa falilo, pa nije ni svjesna kako živi većina ljudi u njenoj domovini. Između Suje i Jina se rađa ljubav. Provode dosta vremena zajedno i maštaju o zajedničkoj budućnosti. Sve je bilo dobro dok Jin ne ode posjetiti svoju porodicu.
Prizor koji Jin zatekne kod kuće, duboko ga povrijedi. Njegova porodica je u posljednjoj policijskoj raciji ostala bez svih namirnica. Nemaju šta da jedu. Plaše se da će umrijeti od gladi. Shrvan stanjem u kojem se njegova porodica nalazi, on uradi nešto što će zauvijek promijeniti njegov i živote njegovih voljenih.
U Pjongjangu, Suja ga željno očekuje. Kad se vrati povrijeđen i u ranama, Suja se zabrine, ali on joj ne otkriva šta se desilo.
"Znaj da si najvažnija osoba u mom životu. Moje srce je kod tebe i uvijek ću biti sa tobom."
Nedugo potom, Jina uhapse. Suja je očajna. Svakim danom, nedostaje joj sve više. Odluči da ga traži. Svjesna je da to nije lahko nimalo. Ne može nikome vjerovati.
"Uvijek je koračala poznatim putem, ali sada nije znala u šta se upušta."
Potraga za Jinom, Suju odvodi daleko od kuće i života na koji je navikla. Naći će se u opasnim situacijama, doživjeće stvari za koje nije nikad ni pomislila da bi joj se mogle dogoditi.
Jin se bori za slobodu. Sjeća se svih trenutaka provedenih sa Sujom. Mašta da opet budu zajedno.
Likovi i događaji u knjizi su izmišljeni, ali autorica je knjigu napisala inspirisana pričama bjegunaca iz Sjeverne Koreje koje je upoznala u Kini.
Preporuke.
June 21, 2022
"You need a little devil in your heart to survive."
-----------------------------
Wow, I've read a lot of historical fiction about oppressed people and their resilience but to read one set in semi-modern times really shook me. The story of Jin and Suja takes place a few years before the death of Kim Jong Il and into the early reign of Kim Jong Un in North Korea. Suja is a well to do girl in Pyongyang who fully believes everything the Dear Leader has told the people of her nation. She interns as a photojournalist for the paper where her father works. It is not until she meets Jin, an intelligent boy from a farm in the suburbs, who is at university on a scholarship, that she begins to question just how privileged she is and what is truly happening in her country. Jin is imprisoned after a choice he makes to help his family and she is determined to find him and free him. Jin is determined to free himself, an almost impossible fate.
We see the conditions these two endure both when they are "privileged" students through life in prison, in the black market and on the run. They both experience such insane hardship and horrible treatment from their own people and the people they are counting on to help them. But surprisingly, it takes a long time for them to see the truth of their Dear Leader and that North Korea may not be a place where they will thrive.
This one has really beautiful writing with deep philosophical queries in a story that is both hard to read and compelling. I felt so many emotions reading this story, especially anger at how humans treat other humans.
-----------------------------
Wow, I've read a lot of historical fiction about oppressed people and their resilience but to read one set in semi-modern times really shook me. The story of Jin and Suja takes place a few years before the death of Kim Jong Il and into the early reign of Kim Jong Un in North Korea. Suja is a well to do girl in Pyongyang who fully believes everything the Dear Leader has told the people of her nation. She interns as a photojournalist for the paper where her father works. It is not until she meets Jin, an intelligent boy from a farm in the suburbs, who is at university on a scholarship, that she begins to question just how privileged she is and what is truly happening in her country. Jin is imprisoned after a choice he makes to help his family and she is determined to find him and free him. Jin is determined to free himself, an almost impossible fate.
We see the conditions these two endure both when they are "privileged" students through life in prison, in the black market and on the run. They both experience such insane hardship and horrible treatment from their own people and the people they are counting on to help them. But surprisingly, it takes a long time for them to see the truth of their Dear Leader and that North Korea may not be a place where they will thrive.
This one has really beautiful writing with deep philosophical queries in a story that is both hard to read and compelling. I felt so many emotions reading this story, especially anger at how humans treat other humans.
September 22, 2021
3.5 ⭐⭐⭐ This is a heavy, emotional read detailing the love and persistence a young couple, Suja and Jin Lee, have for one another as they meet in a North Korean University and ultimately defect to China. The actual story is a fictional story but is based on various defector accounts and matches up with many accounts I have read from North Korean defectors. I liked (seems like a weird to use for such a tragic event) that Suja and Jin Lee defected for different reasons and in different ways because it opens the readers eyes to multiple mindsets and circumstances surrounding defectors. I agree with the many reviews saying the certain events (I won't spoil them here but it's obvious when you read it) seemed to come together a bit too perfectly. Their love story was rushed in the beginning so it does seem crazy to see the steps they take to reunite given the lack of emotion but I was able to put that aside and appreciate the courage it took to make and follow through with their decisions. This story is one that will remind readers how truly grateful we are to have the freedoms we encounter on a daily basis.
**I do think it could be helpful for some readers to know rape, assault, abortion, and violence are all discussed in varying detail.
**I do think it could be helpful for some readers to know rape, assault, abortion, and violence are all discussed in varying detail.
September 3, 2021
Having lived in South Korea in the late 80s I’m often drawn to stories that teach me a thing or two about Korea - specifically North Korea where citizens are not free to travel around their own country or outside for that matter.
I listened to this on audio and was disappointed to hear the narrator cannot speak Korean. 🥴. I did however find her easy to listen to - as for her tone of voice.
This is a story about young love and survival and also based on a true story. Jin and Suja were easy to root for and follow along in their desperate journey to survive in a cruel world and find one another again.
Looking forward to the live chat with the author this month over @owlslittlelibrary
I listened to this on audio and was disappointed to hear the narrator cannot speak Korean. 🥴. I did however find her easy to listen to - as for her tone of voice.
This is a story about young love and survival and also based on a true story. Jin and Suja were easy to root for and follow along in their desperate journey to survive in a cruel world and find one another again.
Looking forward to the live chat with the author this month over @owlslittlelibrary
March 25, 2021
Ann Shin highlights the reality of life in North Korea and the dangers of acting upon your starvation, being of lower class, and even the glimpse into being of higher class and the struggles they also face (especially if you are in disagreement with the supreme leader). My only complaint is that there wasn't much dialogue and I much prefer my book to be dialogue heavy. But other than that, this book is incredible.
March 23, 2021
Beautiful and beautifully done. This was a very well written story of hardship, courage, love, sacrifice, resilience and fighting for what’s right. I felt like I was watching a powerful heartfelt Korean drama. Chapter 7 brought me to tears and filled me with anguish. The lengths they had to go through for an uncertain future all for love. It was such a powerful read, I highly recommend this to anyone that loves a real and raw love story.
June 1, 2021
Life in North Korea is a daily exercise in desperation. Jin feels fortunate to be a student in Pyongyang, where he lives in relative comfort with his girlfriend, Suja. When Jin visits his family in their village and finds them starving, he is furious. Trying to rescue his family’s prized bag of cornmeal, he is caught and thrown into prison. A daring escape leads him to China, where he is forced to do whatever he can to survive. Unbeknownst to him, Suja hears of his escape and sets out to find him, also crossing into China. At the mercy of strangers, she is trafficked along with so many other North Korean girls into families seeking wives for their sons. She loses hope of finding Jin--even though, against all odds, her traumatic path is leading her ever closer to him.
The Last Exiles unflinchingly portrays the abuses “Northerns” like Suja and Jin suffer in China. The lack of options in their lives--accept the depravities of life in North Korea, or leave themselves vulnerable to unknown horrors elsewhere--make this novel unrelentingly bleak. Yet it is a compelling glimpse into a world most outsiders will never fully understand. Readers will hope for the best for Jin and Suja, even as their futures seem unfortunately preordained.
***Review originally written for the City Book Review. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.***
The Last Exiles unflinchingly portrays the abuses “Northerns” like Suja and Jin suffer in China. The lack of options in their lives--accept the depravities of life in North Korea, or leave themselves vulnerable to unknown horrors elsewhere--make this novel unrelentingly bleak. Yet it is a compelling glimpse into a world most outsiders will never fully understand. Readers will hope for the best for Jin and Suja, even as their futures seem unfortunately preordained.
***Review originally written for the City Book Review. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.***
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