Summary

In Chapter 16, because Hongwei’s business was no longer profitable, he began spending time in private gambling parlors where he became addicted to gambling. He did not give Yeonmi and her mother enough money to buy adequate food for themselves. Keum Sook saw what a desperate situation they were in and begged Yeonmi to sell her for money.

Yeonmi felt she had failed in her intention to save her family because her father was dead, her mother was starving, and her sister was still missing. Yeonmi found a farm family who seemed kind and promised they would allow Yeonmi and her mother to stay in touch. Hongwei gambled away the $2,850 he earned for Keum Sook’s sale as soon as he returned to town.

Even though Yeonmi felt she had hit her lowest point, she refused to give up. She decided her...