Elizabeth Kim Message Board
Simon Zonenblick posts on 7/20/2007 8:13:20 AM
I also felt profoundly affected by Elizabeth Kim's Ten Thousand Sorrows, to the point where I had literally to force myself to read. It was brutal, intense, and overwhelming.
I CANNOT understand how, the authorities do not appear to have investigated the couple who abused her for so many years. Kim claims to love her adoptive parents, and puts their cruelty largely down to their own upbringings. This is understandable coming from the victim of the abuse, especially since, if you share someone's presence for any length of time your feelings towards that person will inevitably be subject to fluctuation. But objectively, we on the outside should realise that these people were filth; that tey used religion as a cloak to hide their evil, and that they should be kept far away from children for the rest of their lives.
The excuse that they were a product of their own backgrounds holds thin: so was the author, yet she never descended to their depths.
Hannah posts on 3/27/2007 5:07:43 PM
"Ten Thousand Sorrows" is a wonderful testimony to one woman's courage and the need for us to look past racial and religious 'divides' that are of humanity's own making. This is why I'm upset to see that racial and religious discrimination has tainted Ms Kim's own message board. To the person who wrote that Ms Kim should have made it clear that there have never been any honour killings amongst Jews and that they happen 'in all Arab countries', let me tell you that I saw many human rights abuses perpetrated by Jews when I was working as a mental health specialist in Israel. And the thing that mattered most is not the fact that they were committed by Jews, but that they were committed at all. This, for me, is the most powerful message of Ms Kim's book.
Jessi posts on 12/1/2006 8:20:32 PM
I enjoyed reading the wonderful story by Elizabeth Kim. I came across it by accident and I am so glad that I did. It is an amazing book and I reccomend it to anyone....
Thank you!
Jessica
Lisa posts on 11/13/2006 2:42:29 AM
Thank You Ms. Kim for sharing your storey. I'm not a big reader but couldn't put your book down. I cried and laughed but mostly was reminded how important being kind to one another is. How a random act of kindness can make a difference in someones life.
I'm sorry about your mom. She must have been so strong willed.
Do you think you will ever go to Korea?
Thank you for this book.
posts on 9/16/2006 9:36:43 AM
I am 22years old and Korean. It was long time ago to read this book. but i will never forget it. As I read that book, I shared her sorrows. AT the end of the book, she trained herself to overcome her hurts and low self-esteem. I am so sorry about her story, but I understand her coz, Im in the similar situation with her. However, she;s got wrong. in the book, she tried to find the solution with her life through the Budism. but Jesus taught me a real happiness and joy. Inspite of my surroundings, I could be happy in Jesus Christ. Having had a low self-esteem, I found a light in Him. So, i wanna recommand to her to believe in Jesus and find a real joy.
posts on 7/23/2006 12:13:20 PM
During and after reading Elizabeth Kim's novel - Ten Thousand Sorrows, it reminded me of my childhood days. I was adopted. My parents were pretty strict christians as well. Like the author, my world view was one of indifference, just to survive those early years. I tried my best to be the "perfect kid" with slanted eyes. I want to thank Elizabeth for her courage and survival and to live to tell us about her life story. I've shared your pain many times.
posts on 7/12/2006 2:56:59 AM
I read Thousand Sorrows in one night, couldnt put it down. But I think readers should know that, at the end of the book there is a grossly misleading statement about honor killings where it states that it is accepted practice in several countries, including Israel. This is absolutely wrong! It is practised among Arab and Palestinian Israelis, but there has never been a single instance of honor killing among Jews, nor has it ever been a practice in Judaism. The contrary, it is strongly condemned, against the law and any Arab suspected of this is arrested, and prosecuted. I feel that this gave readers the wrong information, and that the author should have clarified that it is practised among Arabs in Israel and all other Arab countries.
posts on 5/10/2006 11:29:35 AM
I read this book when I was 12 and it really opened my eyes to another world as a child.
Joseph Nash posts on 2/15/2006 4:27:12 PM
I'm truly sorry Ms. Kim had such a nightmarish childhood. My wife and I adopted a little girl from China two years ago and we love her dearly. I just hope readers of this book don't assume that Ms. Kim's experience is typical for all international adoptees.
rae posts on 2/14/2006 9:41:53 AM
Being a Korean adoptee as well, I can empathize with Elizabeth Kim. I, however, was adopted by a wonderful Italian/American family. If not for them, I would not be who I am today but I will never forget who I am and where I come from. Kim's book was told with great emotion and I truly honor her writing it. Kamsa hamnida...
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