**Dystopian Scifi **

For those of us fortunate enough to live in the developed world, dystopia is contemplated more through fiction than reality. 1984 is required reading in schools, and the Hunger Games has the ability to dominate both book lists and the box office. Still, North Korea emerges from the Korean War detritus as a 21st century dystopia. Nothing to Envy tells this story.

Like Behind the Beautiful Forevers or Young China, the author conveys a handful of life stories through thoughtful interviews. This is a portrait of stark totalitarianism in the face of economic collapse and famine. North Korea’s similarities to fiction are not lost upon those who make it out, one defector’s “favorite was a translation of 1984, he marveled how George Orwell could have understood so well the North Korean brand of totalitarianism.”

Fascinating and heartbreaking were the details that dystopian tropes miss about life in North Korea; this is a book dark enough to put down. First, even with the grinding poverty, humanity’s hedonic treadmill finds a way to adapt and enjoy. Second, the scars of living in such a regime are more physical and permanent than fiction gives credit. The oft worn fact that North Koreans are on average 6” shorter belies the more visceral stories of malnutrition causing teenagers and adults alike to look like children. And if the average is 5’, many only make it to 4’6” as fully grown adults.

For those used to the dictatorship, * the maze is in the mouse,* and even upon leaving North Korea it’s hard to undo the mindset ingrained through years of survival. One returnee’s initial experience in South Korea:

She ventured out in search of a security official to approach. She practically collided with a very tall man whose badge and photo ID were at Ms Song’s eye level. She bowed low as one does when beseeching an official: and spoke her rehearsed line: “I have come from North Korea, I am requesting asylum here.” The man was a janitor.

Transition to life in South Korea is no happy ending, as many squander the relocation money they get and struggle in an alien capitalist society. There’s no end in sight for the juche system, but at least through books like this we can empathize better with those who live through it.

** 21st book of 2023 **