“I wasn’t dreaming of freedom when I escaped from North Korea. I didn’t even know what it meant to be free. All I knew was that if my family stayed behind, we would probably die—from starvation, from disease, from the inhuman conditions of a prison labor camp.” 

This quote dispels the notion that all refugees and defectors leave their country in search of freedom. Often, the basic necessity to survive is the driving force behind their decision to leave.

“I am most grateful for two things: that I was born in North Korea, and that I escaped from North Korea.”

In this sentence, Park informs her readers that she has made peace with her identity. Her origins and subsequent experiences inform her story and her perspective.

“I was taught never to express my opinions, never to question anything. [...] I actually believed that our Dear Leader, Kim Jong Il, could read my mind, and I would be punished for my bad thoughts.”

This quote reveals the extent to which North Korean state propaganda can affect the psychology and daily lives of the people. Fear of the government can affect even the most basic decision making.