In Order to Live, by Yeonmi Park, is a haunting, sad and touching book. It can be a truly sad read as we recount Park's difficult journey.
She begins by describing her life in North Korea. Any time we get a glimpse inside that odd and dysfunctional country the stories seem implausible. Sadly, they're true and Park's journey to life outside North Korea is anything but easy.
Park and her mother leave their home in search of her sister. Soon, they are trafficked, sold and forced into sexual servitude. I can't imagine the strength required to survive such awful experiences and to constantly be treated as if you have no value.
Eventually, they do manage to make a better life. Not immediately reunited with her sister, Park eventually is and realizes that she was actually quite close for a while.
The book is well written and gripping, even as it wanders across topics hard to articulate and discuss. I really enjoyed this book! Park chose to get stronger and learn from her trials and she shares them with true eloquence.
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