YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

Human rights activist Park, who fled North Korea with her mother in 2007 at age 13 and eventually made it to South Korea two years later after a harrowing ordeal, recognized that in order to be "completely free," she had to confront the truth of her past. It is an ugly, shameful story of being sold with her mother into slave marriages by Chinese brokers, and although she at first tried to hide the painful details when blending into South Korean society, she realized how her survival story could inspire others. Moreover, her sister had also escaped earlier and had vanished into China for years, prompting the author to go public with her story in the hope of finding her sister.

Started this. I knew that this was going to probably be a harder read, but I do think this is going to be interesting.

10%
(view spoiler)[Her talks about not having electricity and then when it was on, even for a brief time, how everyone would cheer. Really is that reminder to be thankful for what you have, like everything. (hide spoiler)]

31%
(view spoiler)[Some things that also get me with this, is how if one person in the family commits something that is considered a crime it ruins everything for the whole family where they can't really do anything.

And also, how strong the propaganda is. Her mother was educated, but believed in things that made absolutely no sense because of how strong it was. (hide spoiler)]

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(view spoiler)[Oof man. I don't even know what to say about this second I just read that was ROUGH. Saving poop because can't afford fertilizer. Moving and having to change accents to fit in better. No one being able to actually make enough to survive on their own. Witnessing THAT happen to her mother I just... this second was a lot lol (aka laugh to keep from crying) (hide spoiler)]

Starting this now! Sorry I was late

Finished
(view spoiler)[Damn she just... went through a lot. I really hope she is still healing from all of that and continuing the education that she seemed curious, and a little happy, to be getting.

Also, can't imagine the full gravity of being so brainwashed with propaganda and have to fully unravel all of that. That had to be such a difficult thing for her to process, and probably continue to process. (hide spoiler)]

Shae wrote: "Starting this now! Sorry I was late"

No you are good! I'm glad you're here now!

Lee wrote: "Started this. I knew that this was going to probably be a harder read, but I do think this is going to be interesting.

10%
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ 100%, and I like how she says that she misses this about her life in North Korea, as they were so grateful for the small things.

It’s so interesting to learn about how Korea was divided and the propaganda they have been fed. (hide spoiler)]

Lee wrote: "31%
Some things that also get me with this, is how if one person in the family commits something that is considered a crime it ruins everything for the whole family where they can't really do anyth..."

(view spoiler)[ it is so crazy how much everyone is shunned and affected by one person in the family and their crimes or status.

And it’s crazy how much they believe in the regime.

I can’t believe how the fertiliser shortage and there was a competition to get the most human and animal feces! (hide spoiler)]

Lee wrote: "51%
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I know, they have gone from hell to hell! Having to witness that happen to her mother, so bad. This makes me so sad that they take advantage of these vulnerable woman just trying to escape (hide spoiler)]

Lee wrote: "Finished
Damn she just... went through a lot. I really hope she is still healing from all of that and continuing the education that she seemed curious, and a little happy, to be getting.

Also, ca..."
(view spoiler)[ she definitely went through a lot, it is so good she has now told her story and owns what happened to her and not feel ashamed. She did everything she did to try and survive.
It’s crazy how deep the brainwashing goes and how it took a lot to try and change her thoughts about America etc.

So glad they found Eumni! (hide spoiler)]