Hondana
Nothing To Envy
By Barbara Demick
Granta
Description
WINNER OF THE BBC SAMUEL JOHNSON PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 2010
A spectacularly revealing and harrowing portrait of ordinary lives in the world's least ordinary country, North Korea
North Korea is Orwell's 1984 made reality: it is the only country in the world not connected to the internet; Gone with the Wind is a dangerous, banned book; during political rallies, spies study your expression to check your sincerity. After the death of the country's great leader Kim Il Sung in 1994, famine descended, and Nothing to Envy - winner of the 2010 BBC Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction - weaves together the stories of adversity and resilience of six residents of Chongin, North Korea's third-largest city. From extensive interviews and with tenacious investigative work, Barbara Demick has recreated the concerns, culture and lifestyles of North Korean citizens in a gripping narrative, and vividly reconstructed the inner workings of this extraordinary and secretive country.
Summary by AI
Nothing To Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick
- Author's Background: Barbara Demick is an American journalist who spent 11 years reporting from North Korea.
Main Theme:
- The daily lives of ordinary North Koreans under the oppressive regime of Kim Jong-il.
Key Points:
- Six Ordinary Lives: The book follows the lives of six North Koreans from different backgrounds over a 15-year period.
- Extreme Poverty and Hunger: North Korea's economy is in shambles, and its people suffer from chronic food shortages.
- Totalitarian Control: The government exercises absolute control over every aspect of citizens' lives, from their jobs to their thoughts.
- Personality Cult: Kim Jong-il is worshipped as a god-like figure, and his image is omnipresent.
- Defections and Escapes: Some North Koreans risk their lives to escape the country, but many are caught and severely punished.
Reputation:
- Critical Acclaim: The book has received widespread critical acclaim for its vivid and compassionate portrayal of North Korean life.
- Pulitzer Prize Finalist: It was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Nonfiction in 2010.
Who Should Read It:
- Anyone interested in North Korea and its people
- Readers who enjoy well-written and immersive nonfiction
- Those concerned about human rights and authoritarianism
Readers
