Nilguen's Reviews > A River in Darkness: One Man's Escape from North Korea

A River in Darkness by Masaji Ishikawa
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it was amazing
bookshelves: memoir, novel, heart-and-mind, drama

This is the nakedly truthful memoir of Masaji Ishikawa who is battling his survival on this planet. Born in Japan to a Japanese mother and a Korean father, Ishikawa migrates to North Korea with his family at the age of 13 in 1961 for his father yearns for a sense of belonging. Unfortunately, the sense of belonging, a primal instinct of humankind, can be tricky, if it’s praised for exploitative purposes.

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A never-ending ordeal awaits the family in North Korea under the regiment of Kim Il-Sung until his death in 1994. The sound of communism may be received by happy ears from afar, but it tastes bitterness and cruelty from near.

It’s a miracle that Ishikawa survived more than thirty years in North Korea whilst he was finally able to escape to Japan. However, separated from his family, life isn’t quite what he had imagined to be there either. Between two worlds, Ishikawa yearns for his family, his tribe, his sense of belonging.

My heart goes out to Ishikawa hoping that he’ll reunite with his family. He made miracles happen before. Just one more, please 🥺😔.

Note: currently available on kindle unlimited ☺️
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Reading Progress

June 13, 2023 – Started Reading
June 13, 2023 – Shelved
June 13, 2023 –
page 82
47.13%
June 13, 2023 –
page 120
68.97%
June 13, 2023 –
page 139
79.89%
June 13, 2023 – Finished Reading
June 27, 2023 – Shelved as: memoir
June 27, 2023 – Shelved as: novel
June 27, 2023 – Shelved as: heart-and-mind
June 27, 2023 – Shelved as: drama

Comments Showing 1-10 of 10 (10 new)

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Margaret M - (trying to catch up. It doesn't help that email notifications have been removed Fabulous review Nilguen. This is such a sad and heartbreaking story ❤️‍🩹


message 2: by Angela (new) - added it

Angela Wonderful review Nilguen. I'm definitely reading this one. 💜


message 3: by Rosh (last edited Jun 21, 2023 11:38AM) (new) - added it

Rosh This is on my list too. Sounds very painful to read but I guess it still is powerful. :/ Glad it was a 5 star for you, Nilguen!


message 4: by Federico (new)

Federico DN Poor Ishikawa, so tragic <\3. Fantastic review Nilguen!


Nilguen Margaret M wrote: "Fabulous review Nilguen. This is such a sad and heartbreaking story ❤️‍🩹"

Thank you so much, Margaret!!


Nilguen Angela wrote: "Wonderful review Nilguen. I'm definitely reading this one. 💜"

Thank you so much, Angela!!


Nilguen Rosh wrote: "This is on my list too. Sounds very painful to read but I guess it still is powerful. :/ Glad it was a 5 star for you, Nilguen!"

Thank you so much, Rosh!!


Nilguen Federico wrote: "Poor Ishikawa, so tragic <\3. Fantastic review Nilguen!"

Thank you so much, Fedrico!!


Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile Excellent review, Nilguen! This sounds intense!


Nilguen Sujoya wrote: "Excellent review, Nilguen! This sounds intense!"

Thank you so much, Sujoya!!


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