Growing up in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang, Sungju Lee dreamed of being a great general in the North Korean army. But when his father was exiled from the city, Sungju’s family was forced to move to the poverty-stricken countryside. Having fallen from a life of luxury, Sungju suddenly began to lose confidence in the greatness of his country as he was forced to live on the streets and steal food to survive.

I’m not a fan of memoirs, so I was initially hesitant about reading this book. But from the minute I started it, I knew this memoir was going to be different.

First, it’s marketed at young adults. Using a strategy to hook a teen audience, it’s written more like a novel than a true story. You might have expected an adult Sungju, who would reflect on and analyse events, to tell the story, but instead it starts from the perspective of a young Sungju, whose voice matures as he grows up. By using a young narrator, the story immediately engaged me, enabling me to deeply empathise with Sungju’s struggles.

His rich descriptions and unique perspective create a detailed look at life in one of the world’s most mysterious countries. I approached this book knowing very little about the country, but Sungju drew a picture of North Korea that made me understand it better than any documentary could have done.

Sungju’s story shows that dystopian settings don’t just exist in fictional locales of the future. Every Falling Star encourages the reader to leave the comfort of their home and examine the cruelty that exists beyond their – possibly narrow and limited – sphere of experience. But at the same time, Sungju’s survival despite the odds and escape from North Korea tells a powerful story of hope. A devastating and inspirational read.

Reviewed by Emma Stubley