Nothing to envy

About “Nothing to envy”

Nothing to Envy is a non-fiction work by Barbara Demick that follows the lives of six North Koreans over fifteen years. The book covers a period that includes the death of Kim Il-sung, the rise of Kim Jong-il, and a devastating famine that killed one-fifth of the population. Demick provides a rare glimpse into North Korea, a country that is cut off from the Internet, where radio and television are controlled by the government, and where displays of affection are punished. She reports on the experiences of her six subjects, showing how they fall in love, raise families, and struggle for survival. The book reveals how these individuals come to realize that their government has betrayed them. It offers a groundbreaking look at life under a repressive totalitarian regime.