Horror and Hope in the Hermit Kingdom
In Order To Live is a book that does exactly what it sais on the tin, so to speak, it tells the remarkable journey of Park Yeonmi out of the nightmare that is North Korea. Ablazed on the cover of this book is our aforementioned protagonist, and I would actually like to spend some time speaking to the effectiveness of said cover. Now, many may not see why much need be said about a cover that appropriately has the main subject of the story on it. Still, I want to communicate how effective this choice was when considering that alternatives may have well driven home the same message. Could the authors have used a humble family picture taken from the country itself, perhaps a picture of a bloodstained North Korean flag, or even a vandalized picture of the dear leader, complete with moustache and devil horns drawn onto his stupid fat face? All suitable options, but I felt that the final cover really communicated to me in different ways from different points of the story.
Indeed, when I began reading In Order to Live, I could've sworn that Ms. Park was smiling, the coy smile that communicated relief, satisfaction, and even victory. However, the more I returned to it, the more it transformed, and what I thought was a smile was actually a neutral look of knowing, the steely gaze of a young woman who looks imploringly at the reader and asks; "now that you also know, what ought we do together?" I find it remarkable that such a beautiful young lady, complete with makeup and well-straightened hair, conceals battle scars collected over a life of hardship, strife, and struggle. It feels, thus, appropriate that the cover is our protagonist, who bravely and charitably invites us to open the book, thus opening a door into her heart and soul.
If This Is Paradise, I Don't Want To See Hell
The book is divided into three parts, starting with Yeonmi's upbringing in North Korea, followed by her arduous escape to China, and finally, the equally arduous journey to South Korea by way of Mongolia. I like to summarise these sections as Hell, The Fire and The Frying Pan. Indeed, each chapter of Yeonmi's life presented newer challenges that were not necessarily easier if we situated them within the appropriate context. Each part of her journey was a new mountain to traverse, with newer ones waiting on the horizon, serving as a reminder that the interconnected journeys towards freedom, legitimacy, authenticity, self-discovery, indeed, simply the journey towards a good life are treacherous and full of perils. Although equally important is the fact that the same journeys are also filled with wonderful moments of joy, vitality, vibrancy, kindness, hope and love.
She does an amazing job of illustrating this throughout the book, matching reflections of hardship and horror with the beautiful moments with family and friends, and the moments of togetherness that made and make life worth living. Born as the youngest of two girls, to say that Ms. Park came from humble beginnings would be to sugarcoat matters to the point of eating cake. The supposed socialist paradise known as North Korea confused and confounded its people with its scenes of death and degradation, the romanticizing of the dear leader and his capabilities, failing to match the massive want that was experienced at the ground level. Starvation, food scarcity, and no electricity were as naturally woven into the very fabric of North Korean existence as the daily propaganda that infiltrated every corner of their human experience.
The lights across the river from where Yeonmi lived represented the possibility of something more, like small cracks in a coffin hinting to the dead and dying that something good may indeed lie beyond. Yet, amidst it all are also affectionate stories of two doting parents, who certainly seemed unique to North Korean standards, two affectionate, loving individuals whose creativity, resourcefulness, and forward-thinking were more suited to life South of the border than the existence in a land suppressed by the state and the cronies that held it up. Yet, the straw that would break the camel's back would be a botched visit to a hospital which, like so many others, had no medical equipment to help the sick, these facilities situated in a so-called paradise littered with dead bodies which sat in the corner awaiting pick-up like trash at the tip. No longer could the lies penetrate a wall of uncertainty, common sense, and the natural drive to life; and thus Yeonmi, her older sister, and mother would plot their escape to China, their desperation and ignorance serving only to augment the horrors that came.
The Rock, The Hard Place, and The Safe Haven
A successful escape to China would provide only a temporary reprieve from the previous house of horrors. Yeonmi's sister, having gone ahead of her family to escape, would leave only their mother to provide a sense of connection to the home that young Yeonmi was now leaving behind. Little did both know that they were entering the terrible realm of insecurity, abuse, and shame connected to the enterprise of human trafficking. A realm that would lead to separation and the constant fear of repatriation at the hands of the Chinese government looking to keep Mr. Kim happy. A realm that forced young Yeonmi into marriage, and fast-tracked a forcible path to adulthood. A realm that taught her that all the food, clothing, and luxuries would never sate the more important and unique needs of a human that cried out in this existence for purpose, liberty, and love. A full bowl of rice could never disrupt that odd voice that told Yeonmi that she and her family deserved more.
So from China came the next attempt at fleeing to Mongolia with the help of Christian missionaries, a journey that would hopefully lead to a happier existence in South Korea, but even the eventual success of arriving in various lands of milk and honey would require a painful process of soul searching and re-orientation to the truth of the world, a truth so long shrouded in darkness. Yeonmi would fight new battlegrounds in which her mettle would be tested, the treacherous landscapes of authoritarian territories gave way to the struggles of choice, accountability, and personhood. Yet, through these trials, Park Yeonmi's dreams blossomed in the spring of determination and perseverance, her steps guided by travellers who's various trinkets would remind her of great trials, but also of great triumphs.
Gratitude
I am well aware that I have sped through this remarkable story, and I am left feeling that one review feels massively inadequate for the tale that has been told. I'm left feeling exhausted at the series of events that made up Ms. Park Yeonmi's life, which makes it all the more incredible to think of how she must have, and still does feel about everything, all told. It is very rare that a story can lead one to tears, and that is precisely what this book managed to do to me, but not necessarily only tears brought on by sadness or anger, but legitimate tears of joy for the small victories won on the backdrop of pain and suffering. Thus, In Order To Live is not merely good in virtue of being a page-turner that one will find hard to put down, but because it is one that takes us gently by the hand and invokes strong emotions towards the hardship of others who are far removed from our immediate line of sight.
What I was left feeling after reading this book was gratitude, and not simply gratitude for those responsible for its composition, production and distribution, but gratitude towards parents who sacrifice and struggle to give their children a life worth living, gratitude for those who struggle in their attempts to do good or make amends for wrong doing/s, gratitude to those who look past caste and creed to show that compassion and care are stronger, and gratitude to the life that we so often take for granted. Park Yeonmi does us a great service by bringing to our doorstep realities that are so radically different from our own, and she shares parts of herself that are so deep and intimate so as to provide motivation to strongly consider the responsibilities we have to our fellow human beings.
I recently created a list of my favourite books of 2024, however, this list was created before I read this incredible story of one woman's escape from North Korea to a life of freedom, dignity and happiness. I only wish i could've read it sooner it sooner, but now that I have, it's safe to say that said list will require slight editing. Happy reading, gang :).