Comments on: Review: Nothing to Envy — Ordinary Lives in North Korea, by Barbara Demick http://freekorea.us/2009/12/30/in-the-mail-nothing-to-envy-ordinary-lives-in-north-korea-by-barbara-demick/ Wed, 23 May 2012 15:07:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: The_Incredible_HUK http://freekorea.us/2009/12/30/in-the-mail-nothing-to-envy-ordinary-lives-in-north-korea-by-barbara-demick/comment-page-1/#comment-70494 The_Incredible_HUK Sun, 24 Jan 2010 03:43:45 +0000 http://www.freekorea.us/2009/12/30/in-the-mail-nothing-to-envy-ordinary-lives-in-north-korea-by-barbara-demick/#comment-70494 Joshua, you were right. This book is GREAT. Just finished it this evening - I don't think I've ever finished a book that was 200+ pages long 2 days after getting it. I just couldn't put it down. A great addition to my small DPRK-related library. Joshua, you were right. This book is GREAT.

Just finished it this evening – I don’t think I’ve ever finished a book that was 200+ pages long 2 days after getting it. I just couldn’t put it down.

A great addition to my small DPRK-related library.

]]> By: The_Incredible_HUK http://freekorea.us/2009/12/30/in-the-mail-nothing-to-envy-ordinary-lives-in-north-korea-by-barbara-demick/comment-page-1/#comment-70483 The_Incredible_HUK Sat, 23 Jan 2010 03:54:34 +0000 http://www.freekorea.us/2009/12/30/in-the-mail-nothing-to-envy-ordinary-lives-in-north-korea-by-barbara-demick/#comment-70483 Joshua, I'm nearly half done (after having it for only about 29 hours). It's indeed very difficult to put down; Barbara Demick's writing style makes it very easy to read, while at the same time portraying the characters and their lives in quite a vivid manner. I have much to do this weekend, and that includes catching up on reading other books as well. But I may finish it by Sunday night, or by mid-week next week. Joshua, I’m nearly half done (after having it for only about 29 hours). It’s indeed very difficult to put down; Barbara Demick’s writing style makes it very easy to read, while at the same time portraying the characters and their lives in quite a vivid manner.

I have much to do this weekend, and that includes catching up on reading other books as well. But I may finish it by Sunday night, or by mid-week next week.

]]> By: Joshua Stanton http://freekorea.us/2009/12/30/in-the-mail-nothing-to-envy-ordinary-lives-in-north-korea-by-barbara-demick/comment-page-1/#comment-70464 Joshua Stanton Thu, 21 Jan 2010 23:12:03 +0000 http://www.freekorea.us/2009/12/30/in-the-mail-nothing-to-envy-ordinary-lives-in-north-korea-by-barbara-demick/#comment-70464 Trust me. Trust me.

]]> By: The_Incredible_HUK http://freekorea.us/2009/12/30/in-the-mail-nothing-to-envy-ordinary-lives-in-north-korea-by-barbara-demick/comment-page-1/#comment-70462 The_Incredible_HUK Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:03:18 +0000 http://www.freekorea.us/2009/12/30/in-the-mail-nothing-to-envy-ordinary-lives-in-north-korea-by-barbara-demick/#comment-70462 Just got my copy today. Couldn't resist. Joshua, I hope it's as good as you say it is! Just got my copy today. Couldn’t resist. Joshua, I hope it’s as good as you say it is!

]]> By: oranckay http://freekorea.us/2009/12/30/in-the-mail-nothing-to-envy-ordinary-lives-in-north-korea-by-barbara-demick/comment-page-1/#comment-70319 oranckay Sat, 09 Jan 2010 00:35:23 +0000 http://www.freekorea.us/2009/12/30/in-the-mail-nothing-to-envy-ordinary-lives-in-north-korea-by-barbara-demick/#comment-70319 I haven't even put my hand on a copy yet and still I know it's going to be required reading for any English speaker interested in NK, regardless of one's position, and that it will be a genuinely good read, too. Can't wait. I haven’t even put my hand on a copy yet and still I know it’s going to be required reading for any English speaker interested in NK, regardless of one’s position, and that it will be a genuinely good read, too. Can’t wait.

]]> By: 1972 http://freekorea.us/2009/12/30/in-the-mail-nothing-to-envy-ordinary-lives-in-north-korea-by-barbara-demick/comment-page-1/#comment-70305 1972 Fri, 08 Jan 2010 10:26:13 +0000 http://www.freekorea.us/2009/12/30/in-the-mail-nothing-to-envy-ordinary-lives-in-north-korea-by-barbara-demick/#comment-70305 Did anyone read this one? http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-People-North-Korea-Everyday/dp/0742567184/ref=pd_sim_b_2 Best. Enzo Did anyone read this one?

http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-People-North-Korea-Everyday/dp/0742567184/ref=pd_sim_b_2

Best.

Enzo

]]> By: The_Incredible_HUK http://freekorea.us/2009/12/30/in-the-mail-nothing-to-envy-ordinary-lives-in-north-korea-by-barbara-demick/comment-page-1/#comment-70294 The_Incredible_HUK Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:10:34 +0000 http://www.freekorea.us/2009/12/30/in-the-mail-nothing-to-envy-ordinary-lives-in-north-korea-by-barbara-demick/#comment-70294 Argh. I have a few books I need to read IN ADDITION to two books I'm currently reading. And yet this book, and a book which just came out on the Japanese occupation, are so very tempting, none the less because of this review. It's gonna be a long, cold, winter, and I must read... must read... must read. Joshua thanks for the review. I may get this volume a bit late this winter; I have read "North of The DMZ," which was quick and entertaining, and "Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader," which took forever to finish. Argh. I have a few books I need to read IN ADDITION to two books I’m currently reading. And yet this book, and a book which just came out on the Japanese occupation, are so very tempting, none the less because of this review.

It’s gonna be a long, cold, winter, and I must read… must read… must read.

Joshua thanks for the review. I may get this volume a bit late this winter; I have read “North of The DMZ,” which was quick and entertaining, and “Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader,” which took forever to finish.

]]> By: Adam Cathcart http://freekorea.us/2009/12/30/in-the-mail-nothing-to-envy-ordinary-lives-in-north-korea-by-barbara-demick/comment-page-1/#comment-70291 Adam Cathcart Thu, 07 Jan 2010 05:39:41 +0000 http://www.freekorea.us/2009/12/30/in-the-mail-nothing-to-envy-ordinary-lives-in-north-korea-by-barbara-demick/#comment-70291 Demick is <a href="http://www.asiasociety.org/events-calendar/nothing-envy-ordinary-lives-north-korea" rel="nofollow">webcasting tomorrow</a>, Jan. 7, from Asia Society in NYC from 6:30 to 8 p.m. EST. Questions can be e-mailed in advance. Washington Times reviews the book <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/nov/04/n-koreans-who-escaped-tell-their-tales/" rel="nofollow">here </a>and suggests that Hollywood get busy with a version of the text. A big advantage to the text -- one that has as yet gone unnoticed by the book's many reviewers -- is its regional focus: all of the interviewees are from Chongjin, the beleaguered economic and administrative center of North Hamgyong province. Perhaps in the future we will see more books focusing on experiences in other cities in the province, from Onsung to Musan and Hoeryong, places which come into play in Demick's text but don't get the full treatment. It seems that, between defector testimonies and the prodigious Good Friends and Daily NK reports, a fairly coherent _and distinct_ narrative could emerge out of those cities. Thanks for your attention to the book and for recommending it -- I'm not sure I would have snatched it up with such alacrity had I not read about it here first. Demick is webcasting tomorrow, Jan. 7, from Asia Society in NYC from 6:30 to 8 p.m. EST. Questions can be e-mailed in advance.

Washington Times reviews the book here and suggests that Hollywood get busy with a version of the text.

A big advantage to the text — one that has as yet gone unnoticed by the book’s many reviewers — is its regional focus: all of the interviewees are from Chongjin, the beleaguered economic and administrative center of North Hamgyong province. Perhaps in the future we will see more books focusing on experiences in other cities in the province, from Onsung to Musan and Hoeryong, places which come into play in Demick’s text but don’t get the full treatment. It seems that, between defector testimonies and the prodigious Good Friends and Daily NK reports, a fairly coherent _and distinct_ narrative could emerge out of those cities.

Thanks for your attention to the book and for recommending it — I’m not sure I would have snatched it up with such alacrity had I not read about it here first.

]]> By: Theresa http://freekorea.us/2009/12/30/in-the-mail-nothing-to-envy-ordinary-lives-in-north-korea-by-barbara-demick/comment-page-1/#comment-70206 Theresa Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:34:29 +0000 http://www.freekorea.us/2009/12/30/in-the-mail-nothing-to-envy-ordinary-lives-in-north-korea-by-barbara-demick/#comment-70206 Amazon let me know that it shipped yesterday. Looking forward to it! Amazon let me know that it shipped yesterday. Looking forward to it!

]]> By: Jack http://freekorea.us/2009/12/30/in-the-mail-nothing-to-envy-ordinary-lives-in-north-korea-by-barbara-demick/comment-page-1/#comment-70204 Jack Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:18:14 +0000 http://www.freekorea.us/2009/12/30/in-the-mail-nothing-to-envy-ordinary-lives-in-north-korea-by-barbara-demick/#comment-70204 She also had an excellent article in the New Yorker ... in November I think? (Yes, like the LA Times, the New Yorker is not quite the domain of conservative "regime-changers"... but it's about time left-liberals like us Canadians joined the movement!) http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/11/02/091102fa_fact_demick (subscription required) She also had an excellent article in the New Yorker … in November I think?

(Yes, like the LA Times, the New Yorker is not quite the domain of conservative “regime-changers”… but it’s about time left-liberals like us Canadians joined the movement!)

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/11/02/091102fa_fact_demick (subscription required)

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