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The World Is Bigger Now: An American Journalist's Release from Captivity in North Korea . . . A Remarkable Story of Faith, Family, and Forgiveness Audiobook
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(3.06) - 236 listener ratings
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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.
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"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
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" 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 -
" Was a bit disappointed in the depth of the writing and the lack of information. Not sure the purpose in her writing this book. The idea the her faith saved her leaves me questioning. Glad her faith helped her survive the ordeal,but seems to me that she has suffered from Stockholm Syndrome. "
— Cheryl, 10/6/2013 -
" I liked it and it was really sad. I think this is the first adult book I've ever finished! "
— Sophia, 7/27/2013 -
" There are interesting insights about North Korea, from her stories in captivity -- but really this book is about motherhood. "
— Cavemanlawyer15, 5/19/2013 -
" It was interesting to read two different versions of the same event. This book was not quite as engrossing as Laura Ling's book, but it was interesting in a different way because Euna Lee speaks Korean and knew more of what was going on. This book also had a bit of a Christian slant. "
— American, 2/15/2012 -
" A most amazing book of survival and faith - it made me cry several times but ultimately ends with hope for the future. A book absolutely worth reading. "
— Lily, 2/2/2012 -
" A must read after "Somewhere Inside" by the Ling sisters. Really give you an inside look into North Korea. "
— Cynthia, 7/31/2011 -
" A powerful story of two women and their capture in North Korea. Detained for 4 months and sentenced to serve years in a labor camp, we hear Euna's heartwrenching story of how she coped during this terrible ordeal. "
— Jean, 6/21/2011 -
" A quick--but utterly captivating--read! I couldn't help but cry when she was finally reunited with her husband and daughter. A story of faith, struggle, spiritual depression, and ultimate wonder at God's work. "
— Renee, 6/6/2011 -
" This wasn't as in-depth as Ling's portrayal, but I think it was an interesting read in general. "
— Elizabeth, 2/26/2011 -
" There are interesting insights about North Korea, from her stories in captivity -- but really this book is about motherhood. "
— Cavemanlawyer15, 12/18/2010 -
" I'm always interested to learn more about what it's like in North Korea. I guess this gave a bit of a glimpse. didn't like the ending though. Yes, I realize she got free... that's great, but beside the point. "
— Stan, 12/10/2010 -
" 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, 12/7/2010 -
" actually - 3.5 stars - excellent counterpoint to Laura/Lisa's book - much more personal. Amazing how different were the experiences of Laura and Euna. It would be interesting to read the two books in parallel. "
— Debby, 12/5/2010 -
" A must read after "Somewhere Inside" by the Ling sisters. Really give you an inside look into North Korea. "
— Cynthia, 11/29/2010
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.