Joseph Kim

Under the Same Sky is a well crafted memoir about Joseph Kim's life in North Korea, living through multiple famines, escaping to China, and living in America. His prose is well crafted, with simple yet powerful descriptions of begging on the streets for food, his father's eventual death from starvation, his loneliness after his family is scattered, and his thoughts on both China and America, two countries completely different from North Korea. For anyone interested in learning more about modern North Korean history, and who would rather read one story instead of several (a la [b:Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea|6178648|Nothing to Envy Ordinary Lives in North Korea|Barbara Demick|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320449375s/6178648.jpg|6358552], which I also highly recommend for anyone interested in modern North Korean history), I would recommend this book.… (meer)

In this book Joseph tells us the story of his life in communist-ruled North Korea. In North Korea he starved for 10 years due to inflated prices of food and his country's inability to grow their own food. He tempts fate when he crosses the Tumen River during the day and is "free" in China. Once in China, where he could be exported at any time, he finds life easier with the help of some Christian people. Through the help of LiNK, an activist organization, he is smuggled though China and boards a plane to America where he is placed in a foster home. He finds life easier in America and desires to finish his degree. This book details current affairs in North Korea.

Heather H. / Marathon County Public Library
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… (meer)

Extremely moving - famine in childhood. Very close relationship with sister Pong-suk, his father dies, his fortunes go up and down. Lots of moving around. Family lives with several different extended relatives, including "Small Grandfather". He joins association of thieves, almost captured, then becomes a thief on his own. Walks across the frozen Yalu River in the middle of the day, escapes to China. Tries several churches, taken in by "Grandmother" who he becomes close with also (had to pretend his name was, in fact, "Joseph"). Becomes Christian, more or less, taken in by LiNK volunteers, ends up in America. Chapters 42 and 53 have really interesting outsider's perspectives on Christians. Does not find his sister or his mother by the end.… (meer)