Dark / Unnerving / Melancholic / Mysterious / Challenging

A River in Darkness: One Man's Escape from North Korea delivers a harrowing account of Ishikawa's life in North Korea and his daring escape. The narrative is gripping and eye-opening, providing insight into the regime's brutality. Some readers find the prose straightforward but lacking depth in emotional reflection. Overall, it's a powerful memoir that sheds light on a hidden world.

Readers who value human rights, political memoirs, and survival stories will appreciate A River in Darkness. Fans of Escape from Camp 14 or Nothing to Envy will find this compelling North Korean defection story deeply engrossing and enlightening.

A River in Darkness: One Man's Escape from North Korea is a memoir by Masaji Ishikawa, with translation by Risa Kobayashi and Martin Brown. It narrates Ishikawa's harrowing experiences as a Korean-Japanese individual living under North Korea's oppressive regime and his perilous journey to freedom.

- A River in Darkness is an autobiographical account of Masaji Ishikawa's escape from North Korea, offering a rare perspective on life inside the reclusive country based on personal experience.
- The book was translated into English by Martin Brown and Risa Kobayashi, making it accessible to a wider audience and shedding light on the challenging realities faced by those who defect from North Korea.
- Ishikawa's narrative is often described as both compelling and harrowing, offering insights into the complexities of identity and survival in a totalitarian regime.

**Masaji Ishikawa**  
A man of mixed Korean and Japanese heritage whose life is marked by cultural tension, displacement, and a search for identity amid pervasive prejudice. His personal journey highlights friendship, family conflict, and resilience under difficult circumstances.

**Do Sam-dal**  
Masaji's Korean father, who endured a difficult life marked by violence, substance use, and isolation. His complex character development unfolds against the backdrop of historical and personal turmoil.

**Miyoko Ishikawa**  
Masaji’s Japanese mother, known for her resilience and protective instincts toward her children. Her experiences reflect her struggle with domestic abuse and her role as a caregiver.

Masaji Ishikawa

Transl. Martin Brown

Transl. Risa Kobayashi

Adult

Autobiography / Memoir

Nonfiction

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Prologue-Chapter 1

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Chapter 5-Epilogue

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

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