- Paperback: 240 pages
- Publisher: Bantam; New edition edition (1 July 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0553812645
- ISBN-13: 978-0553812640
- Product Dimensions: 12.6 x 19.8 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 119,908 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Ten Thousand Sorrows
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
"I don't know how old I was when I watched my mother's murder, nor do I know how old I am today." So begins the incredible true story of Elizabeth Kim, born to a poor Korean woman in the 1950s after her affair with an American GI who promptly dumped her. Elizabeth's mother was condemned to a pariah existence on the edge of the village, virtually ignored and left to bring up her illegitimate daughter single-handedly. Elizabeth herself was spat at as a 'honhyol'--mixed-race, a non-person, an animal (anyone who thinks that racism is purely a Western disease should read this book). One day, two male relatives came to the hut, killed her mother, and subjected her hated child to a form of torture unimaginable in its barbarism. Elizabeth was sent to a Seoul orphanage where she was kept in a virtual cage, then--worst of all, psychologically--she was adopted by an American Christian fundamentalist couple and taken away to the mid-West dustbowl to be hammered into an all-American Girl. Although this may sound like no more than a catalogue of horrors, it is much more: a story of resilience, survival, and hope, and most importantly of all, of the rediscovery of love and trust when those values seemed quite extinguished. Elizabeth also found her true mother's religion of Buddhism and you can learn more about that creed from this book than from any number of glib Western DIY guides. This is Buddhism felt on the pulse and in the marrow. --Christopher Hart
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
DAVE PELZER
‘A magnificent tribute to the power of forgiveness. Elizabeth Kim writes with clarity, honesty and power’
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I found the book to be both moving and shocking. A story of a women's life told up to the present day. The terrors and tragedies she has seen and endured in her native land, Korea, and her adopted land American. As a small child watching her mother being killed in her home, then being tortured and almost killed herself. Placed in an orphanage come prison, until she was finally adopted and sent to American where there she suffered emotional torture. I shed tears during some of this book, but at the same time it made me feel that in my own life I have been very lucky. A fabulously written book. I read it in 1.5 days.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I found this book very humbling, as I could never associate my childhood with that of Elizabeth's as it was so dreadful. I have a habit of choosing books with similar stories such as Dave Pelzer's books and Adeline Yen Mah, but this one was harrowing as the author's experiences went on during her adult life too.
People have ridiculed the book for the author moaning about her Christian upbringing, but I find that this is not how a child should be brought up and Elizabeth proves this. As this child had her own beliefs in Buddism and was not allowed to project these, but who had a obligation to her foster parents to convey a religion which was not her own.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is feeling sorry for themselves, as it will make you think of how lucky you are to have your family around you.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Several times I had to pause and wonder about the authenticity of some aspects of this account. However, I swallowed my cynicism and realised what a marvellous achievement this book is. I should quibble about details when this woman's childhood was plunged into disaster and no-one was ever able to tell her how old she was or at what age she was orphaned! The wisdom she achieved was awe-inspiring and her words touched me deeply. I hope she finds the peace and contentment that she so richly deserves.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
amazing!
although, this review is on behalf of my mother... As she is actual buyer; i have also read this book, and it is Quite amazing!! Read more
Published 15 months ago by Simon Andrew Green
Ten Thousand Sorrows
I have never read a book that has tugged at my heartstrings like this one. I had to put it down many, many times just to digest her story and very often found myself crying... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Elayne
Heartfelt!
The begining was a bit slow as I had found it hard to grasp the story.
Sad but a good ending story of a little korean girl who was born out of wedlock,out of spite I would... Read more
Sad but a good ending story of a little korean girl who was born out of wedlock,out of spite I would... Read more
Published on 13 Aug 2007 by CK
Dont Miss It
I bought this book in a Bargain Bin for 2.00 Euro. It was the best money I have ever spent on a book. Read more
Published on 6 Nov 2003
Ten thousand sorrows? Sadly, I would have said more!
This is a harrowing tale of one child in two cultures. In Korea she had to watch her mother being murdered by family members. Read more
Published on 13 Sep 2002 by "michellepears"
Where is the joy??
Although I read this book in 2 days, it was not because I could not put it down because the story line was so exciting, it was simply because I was longing for some happiness in... Read more
Published on 23 Aug 2002
Awful start to life, but it is downhill after that
This book opened with an appalling vision of what a young child saw. No words can fully describe how dreadful it must have been. Read more
Published on 10 Aug 2002 by A. M. Dell Munro
an unbelievable, shocking and uplifting experience
I read this just after reading the Dave Pelzer trilogy, and whilst I found them astonishing and equally unbelievable this strikes you on a different level. Read more
Published on 3 Sep 2001 by sm.reilly@virgin.net
Senstively written - a very sad yet uplifting true story
I picked this up and could barely put it down. Elizabeth Kim tells a very tragic personal story yet somehow it is beautiful. Read more
Published on 19 Jun 2001
Fantastic, compelling
I am usually a reader of 'nice' fiction about village life etc; But as soon as this book arrived at our office I couldn't put it down. Read more
Published on 17 May 2001 by janicehodgson@helmsley.co.uk
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