Nothing to Envy
Demick, BarbaraJournalist Barbara Demick peels back the lid on life in the elusive Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Based on several years of conversations with North Koreans, the stories of six defectors are narrated revealing the struggle for survival under its totalitarian regime. With its fluent style and its excellent background information on the two Koreas, this book offers a rare insight into a mysterious nation that 23 million people call home. [Larger font]
Comments from Groups
Well constructed book with the right balance of facts and background interwoven with real people's stories. Would thoroughly recommend. New Plymouth 014 A fascinating insight into a country and people we know almost nothing about. Tauranga 019 Universally enjoyed - thought-provoking and a rare insight into a nation that has 'dropped out' of the developed world. Wellington 102 Without exception the group found the book fascinating, informative and an 'easy' read. Te Anau 001 A real eye-opening book as there is not a lot of information coming out of North Korea. It was very interesting to read first-hand sources how life actually was/is. A well written book. Waiheke 001
Pages
314
314
Year
2010
2010
Reviews
30-10-2023
This book got varying reactions from the group. Some thought the subject matter was hard going, and were not keen on the journalistic style. Others enjoyed the learning they took from the history of North Korea, and thought the personal stories were gripping and enlightening.
13-10-2023
A very informative book. Written in a lean crisp way and the interviews were an excellent way to have the stories carried.
30-05-2022
This book was a revelation to all of our members who were not aware of how repressive the Communist regime is in North Korea. We found it very informative, and were amazed at how the North Korean people could still stay under the spell of their Dear leader in such adversity. We considered the book well researched and written. We also thought it showed a good time span of the people telling the stories, this gave us a better idea of how their thinking changed over time. All completed the book or asked if they were able to hold onto it until they had finished. We would recommend this book.
30-05-2022
This generated one of our longest, albeit subdued, discussions. Readers were alarmed at how little they knew about North Korea. A very informative book, everyone was pleased that they'd read it.
30-05-2022
An amazing glimpse into the horror of life in North Korea. Told with compassion and sensitivity. A story of generations brainwashed by propaganda into venerating and idolising their Leader. We were all deeply shocked and totally unaware of life as it is lived in N. Korea in the 21st century. We were amazed by the resilience of defectors and their ability to adapt to a world of totally different values and beliefs. How brave and anguished they must have been...
30-05-2022
An enlightening and well-written book. Some found it a difficult topic to read about, but it was well worth persevering with. All felt the horror of life under the regime in North Korea - incredibly harsh and quite horrifying in its outcome for the general population.
30-05-2022
Interesting read. Written from the perspective of defectors from North Korea.
30-05-2022
Well-written, much discussed and tremendously informative. Would recommend highly, a gruelling and horrible situation for the people of North Korea.
30-05-2022
Some found the book too depressing for lockdown, while others couldn't put it down. A real eye opener!
30-05-2022
Excellent book. Well-written and provoked good discussion.
30-05-2022
Mixed reviews - some struggled to finish. But we all enjoyed talking about the lives of the people in the book, and were left wondering how they are getting on now. Interesting and informative.
30-05-2022
Some members were initially hesitant about reading this book but gradually found it really interesting. It was a very good insight into the life of people in North Korea. The author wrote the book in a very readable style.
02-05-2022
A very chilling book. The author is a most sensitive writer.
22-01-2020
Our group really enjoyed this. They sighed a bit when they first got it as we recently had read 'Dear Leader'. But once they were into it they found it fascinating because it focused on ordinary people and the ways they found to live, love and dream in difficult circumstances.
14-11-2018
The general feeling of the group was amazement that we, as Westerners, were (and still are) so unaware of the effects that such a regime could have on the people - the despair of ordinary people such as the kindergarten teacher when faced with the deaths of her pupils., the starvation and constant struggle for survival combined with the tenacity and bravery of those who dared to try to escape. Perhaps not a book that was generally 'liked', but certainly one that provided a robust discussion.
14-11-2018
A very good discussion. All members were of the opinion that all New Zealanders should read this book.
14-11-2018
Most of us found this an extremely interesting and shocking read.
14-11-2018
Some of our members did not complete reading the book. Those who did, found it very informative on life and the politics of North Korea. Not bedtime reading.
14-11-2018
All members found this book quite confronting, especially considering that these tragic events have taken place quite recently (and probably still are). The resourcefulness of the people is truly inspirational.
14-11-2018
Very well liked by the group. Educational and interesting, yet also quite captivating.
14-11-2018
Reasonably well received. A very well-written book. Those of us who read the entire book felt much better informed about the realities of living in North Korea.
08-09-2018
We felt this book was really a must for book groups to read - amazing insight into the ways of North Korea, the plight of the people and the way the country was divided into north and south - without any thought for the geographical division, just a random pen line on a map. A very disturbing, yet interesting and thought provoking book.