In the Absence of Sun: A Korean American Woman's Promise to Reunite Three Lost Generations of Her Family

by Helie Lee

Book Overview

A breathtaking true story of a rescue mission undertaken by a young woman and her family in one of the most repressive countries in the world.

Helie Lee often had heard her grandmother speak of an uncle, lost decades ago when he was a child during the family's daring escape from North Korea. As an adult, he was still living there under horrid conditions. When her grandmother began to ail, Helie became determined to reunite her with her eldest...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1400081386
• ISBN13: 9781400081387
• Release Date: April 2002
• Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)
• Length: 360 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.5" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

a must read

I just read some of the comments of your readers below. I don't think they understand the importance of this book to the 21st century. This book is a must read for anyone interested and concerned about North Korean refugees. I was inspired and touched by this family's journey to be reunited.

Wonderful look into the courage of one family.

As a child of an American father and Korean mother I never thought too much about the Korean culture. I was too busy being an American that I forgot to appreciate the other half of my heritage. The two books written by Helie Lee inspired me to love being both American and Korean. She has opened my eyes to the strength and courage that Koreans have had to face throughout the last fifty years. I now have a greater respect for the way my mother does things and being a mother myself I want my children to learn about every culture that is in their ethnicity. I don't want them to not see how wonderful it is to have a Korean heritage. These two books are heartwrenching and powerful and those of us that have denied our Korean heritage no longer need to feel ashamed. I want to say thank you to Helie Lee for writing these books. You are truly an inspiration.

EYE OPENING LIFE EXPERIENCES

How often we do things without regard of how it may affect others around us. Thus was the case with the author of this book. When Helie Lee wrote her first book detailing her grandmother's history in fleeing North Korea, she never considered the consequences of her words on family members still living in North Korea. This book details her life once she recognizes the responsibility she must undertake to assist those left behind. Honest, graphic and full of emotions! I thoroughly enjoyed this non-fiction, nail-biting journey into the darkest, (sometimes), corners of the author's life. Great book!

Could Not Put The Book Down

I felt like I was part of the author's family with her endearing and brutally honest descriptions of them. I am an American volunteering in Africa, who got this book as a gift. Being here, I could understand the issues of poverty, corruption, paranoia. But, her vivid accounts of getting her family out of North Korea brought it to another level of desperation. I went away inspired by her mission and wanting to know more about the status of her North Korean family.

Highly Recommended

This is a very engrossing story that moves along like an action-adventure story. I think the fact that Helie Lee wrote it in such a personal way only helps the story: you come away amazed by her courage and resolve. The style is quick-paced, absorbing and captivating. Most importantly, the book raises the awareness of North Korean refugees and shows the world that it is a human story that affects millions of Koreans and Korean Americans. Lives were at stake and big power politics recede into the background, but the commitment, love and dedication of a family triumphs. And the author's personality and character are really impressive. Helie Lee is a plucky Korean American gal who has to put up with a lot of cultural conflicts and dangers. Through it all, she is vulnerable, sensitive, determined, strong, quick-thinking, courageous and ultimately full of love and devotion for her family. She is even witty. In the end, the reader comes away respecting Helie for pulling off such an courageous journey. I highly recommend this book for its overall quality, readability, and genuineness in revealing the power of a family's love to overcome divisions and scars that have haunted Korea for 50 years.