In Order to Live

A North Korean Girl’s Journey to Freedom

by Yeonmi Park, Maryanne Vollers

4.8(28,801 ratings)

11 min read

Brief overview

This book describes a young woman’s treacherous escape from her homeland, her resilience in facing betrayal and loss, and her eventual awakening to freedom. Through each chapter, it shows how determination and hope can blossom even in the direst circumstances. Readers will discover how she transformed her suffering into a powerful call for liberty.

Introduction

Welcome to a story of extraordinary courage. Imagine being raised where a single misstep or whispered thought could bring ruin on your family, and you’ll sense the stakes in this journey. From narrow alleyways to international airports, every chapter reveals a person who refused to give up hope.

In this narrative, a young girl faces deep hunger tempered by a fiery spirit to protect her loved ones. The hunger isn’t just for food; it’s also for answers, for glimpses of a freer world, and for control over her own future. When the government fails her, she discovers her own resourcefulness.

What follows is a tale that doesn’t shrink from darkness. Kidnappers, traffickers, and even so-called allies try to break her spirit. Yet, time and time again, she calls upon an inner grit, whether it’s finding ways to sneak across a border or forging a path to real community and belonging.

Before we dive into her chronicle, know that it is both heartbreaking and uplifting. You’ll read about survival in the face of unimaginable desperation. More profoundly, you’ll witness how one person’s hardships can transform into a bold, radiant determination to fight for freedom—not just for herself, but for everyone left behind.

Leaving Home in Darkness

Long winters, empty shelves, and daily fear: that’s the backdrop of her early childhood. While most kids daydream about what they want to be, she simply dreamed of not going hungry anymore. She learned to keep her voice to a whisper, in case the “wrong” words were overheard.

At the height of the economic collapse, many families survived by illegally trading or bartering. She first realized the lies of her government when her family’s survival required them to trade clandestine goods. Over time, rumors swirled: there was a wider world out there, just across the river.

Tough decisions often arrived after nightfall. Traffickers promised safe passage, but everyone whispered about hidden dangers. People heard of missing daughters and young women never seen again. Yet, staying put meant guaranteed starvation.

Sometimes a single choice at dusk determines your entire future.

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What is In Order to Live about?

In Order to Live is a raw yet hopeful memoir that follows North Korean defector Yeonmi Park on her escape from an oppressive dictatorship. Through urgent storytelling and stark detail, the book paints a vivid picture of survival, revealing how one individual can hold onto hope in the face of human trafficking, famine, and brutal punishments. Readers discover how small acts of defiance illuminate the path to freedom, even amidst relentless fear.

This story does more than highlight political oppression. It offers an intimate look at how trauma can shape courage and how empathy can become a powerful force for change. By sharing her family’s trials and illustrating the bonds that kept her going, Park encourages a deeper conversation about the profound value of liberty, resilience, and the universal right to speak up against injustice.

Review of In Order to Live

This memoir distinguishes itself through its fierce honesty. Yeonmi Park offers a rare, vivid glimpse of life inside North Korea, depicting hunger, censorship, and the slow erosion of personal freedoms. Readers see the stark dangers she faced and learn how human trafficking added new layers of risk, underscoring the power of determination when every path seems blocked.

Park’s narrative draws on personal strength, offering lessons on resilience that surpass any single nation’s borders. Her writing feels straightforward, making complex issues like government propaganda and cultural upheaval clearer to grasp. She shows how even unremarkable gestures—like sharing a meal—take on heightened meaning in dire settings, highlighting the role of community in surviving trauma.

In Order to Live is a perfect match for those intrigued by global affairs, human rights, or stories of sustaining hope under pressure. Park’s voice resonates with clarity and empathy, and by the end, you can’t help but feel both informed and inspired by her testament to humanity’s capacity for courage.

Who should read In Order to Live?

Human rights advocates looking for firsthand insight into totalitarian regimes
Readers of inspiring memoirs who appreciate true resilience stories
Students and educators interested in North Korean politics and culture
Book clubs focused on ethical dilemmas and real-world survival struggles
Anyone seeking perspective on overcoming extreme adversity and embracing hope

About the author

Yeonmi Park is a North Korean defector, author, and human rights activist, while Maryanne Vollers is an American author, journalist, and ghostwriter. Yeonmi Park's memoir, co-written with Maryanne Vollers, recounts her harrowing escape from North Korea at age 13 and her journey to freedom. Maryanne Vollers has collaborated on numerous bestselling memoirs, including those of Hillary Rodham Clinton and Billie Jean King, and has a track record of New York Times bestsellers.