Play Audiobook Sample
The World Is Bigger Now: An American Journalist's Release from Captivity in North Korea . . . A Remarkable Story of Faith, Family, and Forgiveness Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.06) - 236 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
For the first time, Euna Lee—the young wife, mother, and film editor detained in North Korea—tells a harrowing, but ultimately inspiring, story of survival and faith in one of the most isolated parts of the world. On March 17, 2009, Lee and her Current TV colleague Laura Ling were working on a documentary about the desperate lives of North Koreans fleeing their homeland for a chance at freedom when they were violently apprehended by North Korean soldiers. For nearly five months they remained detained while friends and family in the United States were given little information about their status or conditions. For Lee, detention would prove especially harrowing. Imprisoned just 112 miles from where she was born and where her parents still live in Seoul, South Korea, she was branded as a betrayer of her Korean blood by her North Korean captors. After representing herself in her trial before North Korea’s highest court, she received a sentence of twelve years of hard labor in the country’s notorious prison camps, leading her to fear she might not ever see her husband and daughter again. The World Is Bigger Now draws us deep into Euna Lee’s life before and after this experience: what led to her arrival in North Korea, her efforts to survive the agonizing months of detainment, and how she and her fellow captive, Ling, were finally released thanks to the efforts of many individuals, including Bill Clinton. Lee explains in unforgettable detail what it was like to lose, and then miraculously regain, life as she knew it. The World Is Bigger Now is the story of faith and love and Euna Lee’s personal conviction that God will sustain and protect us, even in our darkest hours.
Download and start listening now!
"It was a page turner - every woman's nightmare to be separated from loved ones, child and husband if that's the case. Euna Lee was very brave. I had read Laura Ling's book too, and it sounded like a set up. I remember saying heavy prayers; I'm glad they are home and safe! "
— Esther (4 out of 5 stars)
The World Is Bigger Now Listener Reviews
-
" It is hard to fairly evaluate this book, because I read Laura and Lisa Ling's version first. While this is apparently an honest and heartfelt account of her captivity, Euna Lee's memoir just pales in comparison to her colleague's. There is not as much background information, not as much introspection, and none of the recounting of what it was like for her family back home. One of the most interesting parts of this ordeal was the way the journalists' families had to tiptoe around the subject of North Korea in bringing media attention to the kidnapping. Lee tries to inject personality by discussing her faith, but I personally couldn't relate to her religious views at all. Other people may love this memoir, though, so feel free to chalk the 3 stars up to personal preferences on my part. "
— Valarie, 2/18/2014 -
" interesting story-no written well. not much of her faith demonstrated. like the humanization of n. korea "
— Caroline, 2/11/2014 -
" Really well-written, compelling story. Reads like a novel, and when I make myself focus that this really happened to Euna I'm in tears. Read half last night, only got 3 hours sleep. "
— Kimberly, 1/18/2014 -
" Such courage to share. captivated till the end. recommended. "
— Cady, 1/11/2014 -
" Having read Laura's book, I felt the need to read Euna's too to know the whole story. What these women went through was amazing, and I'm so glad their stories have a happy ending. "
— Sara, 1/7/2014 -
" This is a detailed story of Euna Lee's capture and imprisonment in North Korea. It was heart-wrenching and interesting. She is incredibly positive, considering what she went through. "
— AmyLyn, 1/2/2014 -
" They knew better and took a foolish risk. Otherwise a good book. "
— Elisabeth, 12/31/2013 -
" This wasn't as in-depth as Ling's portrayal, but I think it was an interesting read in general. "
— Elizabeth, 12/27/2013 -
" Not especially written but SO informative and intriguing. Quick read -- about 3 hours for a fast reader. It is incredibly interesting to learn about North Korea, its people and politics. Reading one side of the story made me want to read Laura Ling's side, which I will do as soon as I have time :-) "
— Alyssa, 12/22/2013 -
" I really enjoyed this book. Quick read, interesting true story. "
— Jenna, 12/8/2013 -
" interesting story about Lee's 5 months in captivity in North Korea, but because she was in prison the whole time, not much takes place. I didn't learn as much about North Korean life/culture as I would have liked. "
— Stephanie, 11/27/2013
About the Authors
Andrea Gallo is an audiobook narrator whose works include Ungifted by Gordan Korman, The Nosy Neighbor by Fern Michaels, Kings of the Earth by John Clinch, and In Search of Eden by Linda Nichols, among many others.
About Janet Song
Janet Song is the recipient of multiple Earphones Awards and was named one of AudioFile magazine’s Best Voices of 2008. Recent audiobooks include Euna Lee’s The World is Bigger Now and Lisa See’s Shanghai Girls. She lives and works in Southern California as an actor on stage and screen.