This is Paradise!

This is Paradise! presents a first-hand account of growing up in North Korea during the 1990s famine. The author, Hyok Kang, recounts his childhood experiences in the city of Onsong near the Chinese border through matter-of-fact observations of daily life under the regime. The narrative follows Kang from age five through his teenage years as he navigates school, family relationships, and increasing food scarcity. Through a child's perspective, he documents the propaganda education system, the impact of government policies on ordinary citizens, and the gradual deterioration of living conditions. Through Kang's straightforward telling, this memoir reveals the stark contrast between North Korea's official narrative and the reality faced by its people. The book stands as a rare glimpse into a closed society during a period of crisis, offering insights into how ordinary families adapted to survive.

Readers value this firsthand account of growing up in North Korea for its raw honesty and child's perspective on daily life under the regime. Many note that Kang's simple, straightforward writing style makes the harsh realities more impactful. Readers appreciated: - Detailed descriptions of school life and indoctrination - Personal insights into the 1990s famine - The escape journey through China - Cultural observations that larger political histories often miss Common criticisms: - Writing can feel flat or unpolished - Some scenes seem embellished or dramatized - Lack of deeper political analysis - Translation issues in certain editions Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (312 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (68 ratings) Multiple reviews highlighted this quote: "When you grow up in North Korea, you don't know what freedom is. You don't even know the word. You are simply told what to do and what to think."

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🌟 Author Hyok Kang escaped North Korea at age 13, crossing the Tumen River into China with his parents in 1998. 🌟 During his childhood in North Korea, Kang was forced to watch public executions and witnessed people dying of starvation in the streets during the great famine of the 1990s. 🌟 The book's title comes from a phrase North Korean children were required to say: "This is paradise! We have nothing to envy in the world!" 🌟 Kang used his artistic talents to illustrate the book with drawings depicting daily life and challenging conditions in North Korea, sketches he created from memory. 🌟 After escaping through China, Kang and his family eventually settled in South Korea, where he attended art school and published this memoir when he was just 19 years old.