Park, Jihyun, Chai, Seh-lynn, Baldwin, Sarah: Amazon.com.au: Books
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The Hard Road Out: One Woman’s Escape From North Korea
by Jihyun Park (Author), Seh-lynn Chai (Author), & 1 more Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars (369)
The harrowing story of a woman who escaped famine and terror in North Korea, not once but twice.
‘A gripping, suspenseful and cathartic memoir that tells a story of pain and perseverance and makes the moral case for asylum.’ David Lammy MP
North Korea is an open-air prison from which there is no escape. Only a handful of men and women have succeeded.
Jihyun Park is one of these rare survivors. Twice she left the land of the ‘socialist miracle’ to flee famine and dictatorship.
By the age of 29 she had already witnessed a lifetime of suffering. Family members had died of starvation; her brother was beaten nearly to death by soldiers. Even smiling and laughing was discouraged.
The first time she ran, she was forced abandon her father on his deathbed – crossing the border under a hail of bullets. In China she was sold to a farmer, with whom she had a son, before being denounced and forcibly returned to North Korea.
Six months later guards abandoned her, injured, outside a prison camp. She recovered and returned China to seek her son, now six, before attempting to navigate the long, hard road through the Gobi Desert and into Mongolia.
Clear-eyed and resolute, Jihyun’s extraordinary story reveals a Korea far removed from the talk of nuclear weapons and economic sanctions. She remains sanguine despite the hardship. Recalling life’s tiny pleasures even at her darkest moments, she manages to instill her tale with incredible grace and humanity.
Beautifully written with South Korean compatriot Seh-lynn Chai, this compelling book offers a stark lesson in determination, and ultimately in the importance of asylum.
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Print length
214 pages
Kindle $13.99
Available instantly
Audiobook $14.95Available instantly
The Hard Road Out: One Woman’s Escape From North Korea
by Jihyun Park (Author), Seh-lynn Chai (Author), & 1 more Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars (369)
The harrowing story of a woman who escaped famine and terror in North Korea, not once but twice.
‘A gripping, suspenseful and cathartic memoir that tells a story of pain and perseverance and makes the moral case for asylum.’ David Lammy MP
North Korea is an open-air prison from which there is no escape. Only a handful of men and women have succeeded.
Jihyun Park is one of these rare survivors. Twice she left the land of the ‘socialist miracle’ to flee famine and dictatorship.
By the age of 29 she had already witnessed a lifetime of suffering. Family members had died of starvation; her brother was beaten nearly to death by soldiers. Even smiling and laughing was discouraged.
The first time she ran, she was forced abandon her father on his deathbed – crossing the border under a hail of bullets. In China she was sold to a farmer, with whom she had a son, before being denounced and forcibly returned to North Korea.
Six months later guards abandoned her, injured, outside a prison camp. She recovered and returned China to seek her son, now six, before attempting to navigate the long, hard road through the Gobi Desert and into Mongolia.
Clear-eyed and resolute, Jihyun’s extraordinary story reveals a Korea far removed from the talk of nuclear weapons and economic sanctions. She remains sanguine despite the hardship. Recalling life’s tiny pleasures even at her darkest moments, she manages to instill her tale with incredible grace and humanity.
Beautifully written with South Korean compatriot Seh-lynn Chai, this compelling book offers a stark lesson in determination, and ultimately in the importance of asylum.
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Print length
214 pages
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From other countries
Chris Bramwell
5.0 out of 5 stars A sensational, shocking and compelling read. This is a truly important work.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 June 2022
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Reading this book was an experience I will never forget. Jihyun and She-Lynn Chai bring a dispassionate clarity and calm to the narrative which makes it even more shocking and incredibly moving. I have read 2 other books about North Korea and escaping from it, both engaging and moving in their own ways, but this is in a different league. Phrases like 'unputdownable' and 'absolute page-turner' are not inappropriate in this case. I found myself on occasions almost breathless with anger. Not only is Jihyun's story an almost unbelievable tale of tragedy, mistreatment and betrayal, but She-Lynn Chai’s additional input is so sensitively and beautifully crafted that it adds another unique dimension to the story. I think she is a truly gifted writer. The miracle is that Jihyun emerged so sane and balanced and It’s clear that She-Lynn had to work very hard with great patience and sensitivity to win her trust.
I sincerely hope the book has the wide audience and success it so richly deserves.
If ever a book gave new credence to the phrase, 'the pen is mightier than the sword', this is it. My sincere congratulations to both authors.
6 people found this helpful
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Jocelyn
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in Canada on 7 June 2024
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
It is a real insight in the lives of the Korean’s
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Michael A
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!
Reviewed in the United States on 16 May 2023
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
If you want to have an idea of the life of a common person’s life in N. Korea, read this book!! Had me hooked all the way. Worth every penny!!
2 people found this helpful
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Kika
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story
Reviewed in Canada on 9 October 2023
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Love true stories.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Very thoughful and intersting
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 September 2025
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Spectacular! Such a powerful piece of reading of a life inconceivable to those who have never lived in a society like that. The main character's determination is breathtaking and her will to fight and continue deserves a standing ovation. So happy that all those troubles are behind for her and her family, and that they can build their lives!
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Tony737
4.0 out of 5 stars Will There Be a Part 2?
Reviewed in the United States on 15 November 2022
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
The way this book “ended” it seems like there should be a sequel. This is one of the best of the 20+ “Escape from North Korea” books I’ve read, but it ended too abruptly. I’m hoping it’s the old “leave them wanting more” strategy. Yes I will buy Part 2! Take my money! I gave it 4 out 5 stars because of the ending, it would’ve easily been 5 out of 5 with just two more chapters.
7 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Few Books Revealing Life in North Korea
Reviewed in the United States on 13 May 2024
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Very enlightening insight/s about a very secretive culture and as far as we know, truthful.
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Ms. A. Skelly
5.0 out of 5 stars captivating
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 February 2025
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
I’ll be honest and say the subject matter for this book isn’t normally the ‘type’ I would select. How wrong I was. I read this over just a few days so eager was I to return to its pages. It’s extremely moving in a very matter-of-fact way and left me feeling very grateful that I DID buy it and thankful for the life I have. An excellent read
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catherine
5.0 out of 5 stars Different world
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 August 2025
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Cruelty beyond human kind excellent read
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Pam Davidson
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written.
Reviewed in the United States on 12 October 2022
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
In South Korea today: 1. South Korean citizens 2. South Korean Congressmen 3. South Korean military 4. Foreigners in South Korea 5. North Korean refugees. Your book describes this hierarchy explicitly. North Koreans have no voice in South Korea. I have been deeply touched by your story for many years but I felt it even more deeply after reading your book. My heart broke for you as you described the last moments spent with your father. I still can’t imagine even now the deep pain you are still walking through because of what you had to do. Maybe your story felt more than a story to me because I was in Korea when I read it, I’m not sure. But your book was more than just a story for me. It became real and your pain is a part of me now. North Korean refugees have touched me deeply over the years and people like you make my heart grow even fonder. God bless you dear sister, always!
4 people found this helpful
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From other countries
Andrew Wilkes
5.0 out of 5 stars Determination against the odds
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 September 2025
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This is a fascinating book about a lady who escaped North Korea and finally entered politics in the Greater Manchester area of North West England. Her story is harrowing, although thankfully, she didn't go into graphic detail about the worst of her ordeal. This is a motivational book about determination and perseverance in the face of adversity.
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S. D.
5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating story of struggle in North Korea.
Reviewed in the United States on 8 March 2023
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
The author takes you through her life of being brainwashed in North Korea to discovering how the rest of the world lives.
One person found this helpful
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Callie
5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 June 2022
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I have never read a book that had such an effect on me. The writing is absorbing, the words moving and deep. I am amazed that women such as Jihyun Park exist and hope she knows the amazing life she has already achieved. I hope she goes from strength to strength. The people of Bury are lucky to have her and her father would be incredibly proud.
Thank you for what your story has taught me
4 people found this helpful
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Wizard of WID
3.0 out of 5 stars Badly written, interesting story
Reviewed in the United States on 29 March 2023
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
The story told here is a one-of-a-kind. How can a woman survive the totalitarian control of North Korea? The story is told as only an emotionally-deprived person can, least of all a woman with limited writing skills. She had to bear children whom she could not love, as we define love. The fact that she managed to escape alive is a miracle in itself.
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Pelicanbrief
4.0 out of 5 stars good story
Reviewed in the United States on 18 March 2023
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
I saw these women interviewed and was interested in this book. Easy to read, difficult to imagine this is happening every day to North Koreans. Ended rather abruptly and I thought prematurely.
One person found this helpful
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James
3.0 out of 5 stars A little clunky
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 June 2022
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
I'm not sure it needed so much from the author throughout. I feel like it could have added something a little different if it was done differently, but it never felt quite right to me.
The end also feels a little strange, with the final years condensed into a few paragraphs, as if the author suddenly lost interest. I'm sure that's not the case but I do feel a little short changed.
The rest is perfectly fine and about what you'd expect for this genre. Good detail, really interesting, difficult to read at times.
One person found this helpful
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Mandy H
5.0 out of 5 stars could not put this book down, it really made me think.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 July 2022
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
This book should be a mandatory read for secondary school pupils. Maybe they would then see how truly lucky they are. We in the west are so indulged in comparison to the horror and almost disbelief at what the North Korean people have to experience daily in their sad existence . It is truly heart wrenching and shocking. It makes you wonder where are all the marchers and activists are in support of those currently suffering, as opposed to the suffering experienced hundreds of years ago, which was truly evil, but was before our time. We cannot change what happened then, but maybe we could begin to effect action in the here and now,
This book truly moved me, I don’t care about the technical aspects of how well it was written, the content delivered a powerful testimony about the continued abuses perpetrated on North Korea by the despotic Kim family. Those lefties here (U.K) looking for a socialist utopia should read this.
2 people found this helpful
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Delaney
5.0 out of 5 stars Eye Opening
Reviewed in the United States on 10 May 2024
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
I know North Korea was a horrible place to live, but I had no idea just how horrible.
I kept thinking, this really wasn’t that long ago!
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Mee-Kyeong Knight
5.0 out of 5 stars What an extraordinary story!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 June 2022
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This book shows me that the North Koreans are not monsters of whom I was afraid but they are human beings just like me.
At school from Kindergarten to Secondary, I learnt that North Korea started the Korean war, how cruel they were in the war and they always tried to invade South Korea. When I was a young girl, on a few occasions, I had scary dreams that I was chased by the North Korean soldiers. Even as an adult, I felt uncomfortable until a couple of years ago whenever I drove by the North Korean Embassy in London (the North Korean Embassy is on route to New Malden, the biggest Korean community in the UK).
The Hard Road Out is telling readers that North Koreans and South Koreans are one people, using the same language (Hanguel) and having the same cultural root.
Thank you Jihyun and She-Lynn Chai for sharing this extraordinary story!
7 people found this helpful
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Peter
1.0 out of 5 stars Pick something else
Reviewed in the United States on 19 September 2025
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
There are several great books about harrowing escapes from North Korea - but this isn't one. Much in spite of the title, this book is 94.5% details of the subject's childhood and young adulthood in NK, bizarrely interspersed by 5% commentary by the co-author, and 0.5% about the escape. Still, the reader is left with more questions than answers about the "hard road out". Some comments speculate that there may be a second volume - I won't be reading it.
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From other countries
Montteacher
4.0 out of 5 stars Worse than expected
Reviewed in the United States on 23 March 2023
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Unique experience of a closed in society and, yet, it reminded me that humans are humans no matter what they experience or where they live.
One person found this helpful
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Margaret
5.0 out of 5 stars Truly amazing book.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 October 2022
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Brilliantly written. Makes you feel so grateful for being born in a democratic country. We have so much and some people in this world have so little. The strength of Jihyun is humbling.
One person found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written tragedy
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 June 2022
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
This story is written so beautifully that it has broken my heart it really brings to life another reality that makes you feel ashamed of your own reality and ignorance of others suffering I hope for their liberation
4 people found this helpful
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Alex Newberry
5.0 out of 5 stars A real eye opener into North Korea
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 July 2022
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I couldn't put the book down, a heartbreaking read which shines a light into a secretive, oppressive society. Everyone should read this, your own problems seem tiny compared to how the North Koreans live
3 people found this helpful
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Christine
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! Life in the dark ages
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 July 2022
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This is a book that everyone should read, they will then soon realise what we have … not what we haven’t..
It’s hard to realise this is in our lifetime.
3 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Create book
Reviewed in the United States on 20 August 2023
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
The book was in good condition for used, joyed it
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Bob
5.0 out of 5 stars Young people in this country should learn the truth about socialism
Reviewed in the United States on 18 March 2023
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
An excellent eye opener of what socialism is.
3 people found this helpful
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david c. primmer
5.0 out of 5 stars An inspirational read
Reviewed in the United States on 3 March 2023
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I’m always amazed at the human spirit
2 people found this helpful
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Roisin
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 July 2022
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Great book, very interesting
2 people found this helpful
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Cheekie
1.0 out of 5 stars Dirty
Reviewed in the United States on 6 May 2023
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I was excited about this book until it arrived. Will be requesting a refund.
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Gemini
📚 <The Hard Road Out: One Woman’s Escape From North Korea> 요약 및 평론
📖 책 소개
<The Hard Road Out: One Woman’s Escape From North Korea>는 탈북민이자 인권 운동가인 지현 박이 영국 언론인 **반젤로 루이즈(Vaughan T. M. Ruiz)**와 함께 집필한 자서전입니다. 이 책은 북한에서 태어나 고난의 행군 시기를 겪고, 두 번에 걸쳐 압록강을 건너 탈북을 시도하며 겪었던 극적인 여정과, 한국 및 서방 세계에 정착하기까지의 인간적인 투쟁을 담고 있습니다. 지현 박의 이야기는 단순한 생존기를 넘어, 인간의 자유를 향한 강렬한 의지와 어머니의 숭고한 사랑을 증명하는 기록입니다.
📝 상세 요약 (Summary)
1. 북한에서의 삶과 고난의 행군 (Life in North Korea and the Arduous March)
지현 박은 북한의 평범한 집안에서 태어났지만, 1990년대 중반 북한을 강타한 '고난의 행군' 시기에 엄청난 기아와 궁핍을 경험합니다. 가족의 생계는 무너지고, 아버지마저 굶주림으로 세상을 떠나는 비극을 겪습니다. 그녀는 굶주림 속에서 인간의 존엄성이 어떻게 파괴되는지 목격하며, 북한 체제의 모순과 잔혹성을 깨닫게 됩니다. 결국, 아버지가 유언으로 남긴 **“살아서 밖으로 나가라”**는 말을 가슴에 품고, 여동생과 함께 탈북을 결심합니다.
2. 첫 번째 탈북과 중국에서의 인신매매 (First Escape and Human Trafficking in China)
1998년, 지현 박은 처음으로 압록강을 건너 중국으로 탈출합니다. 그러나 그녀를 기다리고 있던 것은 자유가 아닌 또 다른 형태의 노예 생활이었습니다. 브로커에게 속아 중국 농촌 지역의 한족 남성에게 인신매매되어 강제 결혼을 당하고, 그곳에서 아들을 낳습니다. 탈북 여성들은 중국에서 불법 체류자 신분이기 때문에 끊임없는 공안의 위협과 가정 폭력에 시달려야 했습니다. 지현 박은 공안에 체포되어 강제 북송되는 고통을 겪습니다.
3. 북송과 재수용소에서의 참혹한 경험 (Repatriation and the Horrors of the Detention Camp)
북한으로 강제 송환된 지현 박은 **구류소(재수용소)**에 갇혀 비인간적인 대우와 고된 노동에 시달립니다. 영양실조와 질병으로 몸이 극도로 쇠약해지고, 온몸이 썩어 들어가는 괴사 증세를 보이며 생사의 갈림길에 놓입니다. 다행히 기적적으로 풀려나지만, 이미 집에는 그녀의 자리가 없었습니다. 그녀는 다시 북한에서 살아갈 수 없음을 깨닫고, 중국에 두고 온 어린 아들을 찾기 위해 두 번째 탈북을 준비합니다.
4. 두 번째 탈북과 기나긴 여정 (Second Escape and the Long Journey)
2004년, 지현 박은 다시 중국으로 건너가는 데 성공합니다. 그녀는 절박한 심정으로 아들을 찾고, 이후 몽골을 거쳐 러시아로 향하는 험난한 여정을 시작합니다. 그녀는 러시아에서 또 다른 탈북민들과 만나 힘든 노동과 차별을 견디며 생계를 유지합니다. 이 여정에서 그녀는 현재의 남편인 김찬 씨를 만나게 되며, 함께 제3국으로의 망명을 모색합니다. 특히 그녀가 러시아에서 한국 정부의 외면을 받고 좌절했던 경험은 탈북민들이 겪는 국제적인 냉대를 여실히 보여줍니다.
5. 영국으로의 정착과 새로운 사명 (Settlement in the UK and a New Mission)
마침내 지현 박은 UN의 도움으로 영국에 정착하게 됩니다. 영국에서의 삶 역시 쉽지 않았지만, 그녀는 영어 공부를 하고 북한 인권 운동에 적극적으로 참여하며 자신에게 주어진 자유의 의미를 되새깁니다. 그녀는 북한 인권 단체의 활동가이자 연설가로 활동하며, 북한의 참혹한 현실을 알리고 탈북민의 인권을 옹호하는 데 헌신합니다. 이 책은 그녀가 고난과 시련을 이겨내고 평범한 개인에서 인권 운동의 상징적인 인물로 거듭나는 과정을 보여줍니다.
🗣️ 평론 및 평가 (Critique and Review)
지현 박의 <The Hard Road Out>은 탈북민 자서전의 전형이면서도 가장 강력한 증언 중 하나입니다. 이 책이 지니는 의미는 다음과 같습니다.
1. 북한 체제의 잔혹성에 대한 적나라한 고발
이 책은 북한 정권의 비인간적인 실상을 개인의 경험을 통해 가장 가까이서 보여줍니다. '고난의 행군' 당시의 기아, 당국의 부패, 그리고 북송 후 수용소에서의 끔찍한 환경 묘사는 독자에게 강렬한 충격과 함께 북한 인권 문제의 심각성을 직시하게 합니다. 특히, 북한이탈주민의 고통이 국경을 넘어 중국에서 인신매매와 착취로 이어진다는 사실은 현대판 노예제의 실태를 고발하는 중요한 증거가 됩니다.
2. 인간의 불굴의 의지와 모성애에 대한 찬가
지현 박의 이야기는 죽음의 문턱을 두 번이나 넘나들면서도 포기하지 않는 인간의 강인한 생명력을 보여줍니다. 그녀가 겪은 모든 고난의 원동력은 아들을 향한 절절한 모성애였습니다. 아들을 다시 만나야 한다는 일념 하나로 험난한 국경을 다시 넘고, 수많은 위험을 무릅쓰는 그녀의 모습은 독자로 하여금 인간의 가장 순수한 사랑에 경의를 표하게 만듭니다. 그녀의 이야기는 고통을 넘어선 희망의 메시지를 전달합니다.
3. 서구 사회의 무관심에 대한 비판적 시선
책은 탈북민들이 제3국에서 겪는 차별과 외면에 대해서도 비판적인 시각을 제시합니다. 특히 러시아에서 한국 대사관의 도움을 받지 못하고 절망했던 경험은, 북한 인권 문제를 지정학적 문제로만 다룰 뿐 인도주의적 관점에서 진정성 있게 해결하려는 국제 사회의 노력이 부족함을 지적합니다. 그녀의 투쟁은 북한 정권뿐 아니라, 그들의 고통에 무관심한 바깥세상의 냉정함에 대한 비판이기도 합니다.
4. 문학적 아쉬움과 사실의 무게
이 자서전은 전문 작가인 루이즈와의 협업에도 불구하고, 문학적인 기교나 세밀한 심리 묘사보다는 사실의 나열과 경험의 재현에 무게가 실려 있습니다. 이는 때때로 이야기의 흐름을 다소 단조롭게 만들 수 있으나, 역설적으로 날 것 그대로의 진실성을 확보하는 데 기여합니다. 독자는 작가의 감정을 따라가기보다는, 지현 박이라는 인물이 겪은 고통의 무게 그 자체에 압도당하게 됩니다.
5. 결론: 자유의 가치를 되묻는 책
<The Hard Road Out>은 우리에게 자유와 인권의 가치를 근본적으로 되묻게 하는 책입니다. 지현 박의 여정은 자유가 거저 주어진 것이 아님을 깨닫게 하며, 그녀의 용기 있는 목소리는 지금 이 순간에도 고통받는 북한 주민들에게 우리가 빚지고 있는 관심과 행동이 무엇인지를 촉구합니다. 이는 시대를 초월하여 읽혀야 할 강력한 증언이자, 인간 승리의 기록입니다.
📌 주요 특징 정리
< >이 책의 주제와 관련된 다른 탈북민의 이야기나 인권 운동에 대한 정보를 더 찾아 드릴까요, 세진님?>
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