Without You, There Is No Us
Without You, There Is No Us
Book Brief
320
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
North Korea • 2010s
2014
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Without You, There Is No Us: My Time with the Sons of North Korea’s Elite by Suki Kim is a nonfiction account of Kim's experience teaching English at the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology, an institution for the elite sons of North Korea. The book provides a rare glimpse into the isolated lives of North Korea's upper class, detailing the intense supervision, strict routines, and the profound disconnect between students' knowledge and the outside world.
Mysterious
Dark
Informative
Contemplative
Unnerving
Reviews & Readership
25,205 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Suki Kim's Without You, There Is No Us captivates readers with its poignant and intimate portrayal of life in North Korea. Her access to an elite school offers a unique glimpse into a repressive regime. Critiques note occasional repetitiveness and thin character development, but the book’s emotional depth and insightful observations largely overshadow these flaws.
Who Should Read Without You, There Is No Us?
Readers who are captivated by memoirs intertwining personal narrative with political insight will find Without You, There Is No Us by Suki Kim compelling. Fans of works like Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick or The Girl with Seven Names by Hyeonseo Lee, which provide penetrating looks into North Korean life and culture, will be particularly engrossed.
25,205 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The title of Suki Kim's book, Without You, There Is No Us, is derived from a North Korean propaganda song that praises the country's leaders.
Suki Kim is the only writer to have successfully lived undercover in North Korea, documenting her experiences teaching at the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST).
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The book offers a rare glimpse into the everyday lives of North Korean university students, who are part of the nation's elite yet remain largely isolated from the outside world.
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320
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
North Korea • 2010s
2014
Adult
18+ years
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