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Stealing Cinderella: How I Became an International Fugitive for Love
I showed up in South Korea with $20 and a dubious offer to teach English. Jennifer was the wickedly smart, fiercely independent second daughter of one of Korea's most influential families. We fell in love in a country where even sitting together brought angry stares, taunts, and threats. Our employer forbade us from seeing each other, but we continued in secret. Eventually, her family became suspicious and had her followed. Their efforts to separate us in the days after that were relentless and violent. We were forced to abandon everything and flee to Hong Kong, where our situation only became more dire.
- GenresMemoirNonfiction
368 pages, ebook
Published October 7, 2019
7 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 2, 2019
Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “Stealing Cinderella: How I Became an International Fugitive for Love” A True Story by Mark D. Diehl, Fencetree Productions, October 2019
WOW! I have to mention that “Stealing Cinderella: How I Became an International Fugitive for Love” A True Story” by Mark D. Diehl is totally unforgettable. The Genre for this is Memoir, and this is ‘A True Story”. It reads like A Fictional Novel with adventure, suspense, the chase, and some Historical Fiction. Mark D. Diehl writes an intense, intriguing captivating, and enthralling Memoir. The title threw me off, and I really didn’t know what to expect. This takes place around 1994 and goes to the past and future when it pertains to the information that the author provides.
Mark D. Diehl basically describes his family as dysfunctional and looking for an opportunity to eventually make money, he goes to South Korea and becomes an English teacher for a company. He certainly uses an unorthodox means of teaching his students. He often discusses foods and culture from Korea, which he really isn’t familiar with. and corrects the sentences that are said in English.
The cultural restrictions in Korea were mind-boggling to me. The hierarchy of respect depending on age, or status, and the way women were treated also had me feeling very angry. There also was the fact that in business, if men were told to drink by their bosses, even if it made them sick, they had to show their respect and drink. Americans, especially white men had to stay away from Korean women.
Mark meets Jennifer, a young Korean teacher teaching English as well. Jennifer’s family is extremely traditional, and any friendship would not be allowed. This would cause a big problem for Jennifer’s family and her reputation. However, both Mark and Jennifer want to be friends, if not more. Not only that, Jennifer could be severely beaten and punished.
Both Jennifer and Mark are looked upon as outcasts, and there is a tremendous amount of danger for both. I would highly recommend this memoir for readers who enjoy a thought-provoking story.
WOW! I have to mention that “Stealing Cinderella: How I Became an International Fugitive for Love” A True Story” by Mark D. Diehl is totally unforgettable. The Genre for this is Memoir, and this is ‘A True Story”. It reads like A Fictional Novel with adventure, suspense, the chase, and some Historical Fiction. Mark D. Diehl writes an intense, intriguing captivating, and enthralling Memoir. The title threw me off, and I really didn’t know what to expect. This takes place around 1994 and goes to the past and future when it pertains to the information that the author provides.
Mark D. Diehl basically describes his family as dysfunctional and looking for an opportunity to eventually make money, he goes to South Korea and becomes an English teacher for a company. He certainly uses an unorthodox means of teaching his students. He often discusses foods and culture from Korea, which he really isn’t familiar with. and corrects the sentences that are said in English.
The cultural restrictions in Korea were mind-boggling to me. The hierarchy of respect depending on age, or status, and the way women were treated also had me feeling very angry. There also was the fact that in business, if men were told to drink by their bosses, even if it made them sick, they had to show their respect and drink. Americans, especially white men had to stay away from Korean women.
Mark meets Jennifer, a young Korean teacher teaching English as well. Jennifer’s family is extremely traditional, and any friendship would not be allowed. This would cause a big problem for Jennifer’s family and her reputation. However, both Mark and Jennifer want to be friends, if not more. Not only that, Jennifer could be severely beaten and punished.
Both Jennifer and Mark are looked upon as outcasts, and there is a tremendous amount of danger for both. I would highly recommend this memoir for readers who enjoy a thought-provoking story.
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October 7, 2019Stealing Cinderella: How I Became an International Fugitive for Love (Fencetree) is supposed to be a story of forbidden love, and it is – but without the longing glances and furtive clutches in the dark. One has to imagine the heat, the whispers, the kisses, because author Mark D. Diehl’s focus is Korean society, its history and social institutions – everything that made it all but impossible for Diehl to be with the woman he fell in love with.
Diehl was fresh out of college when he took a job teaching English in Taegu, the fourth largest city in South Korea where, at first blush, things look modern and Westernized, albeit smothered by industrial smog. Diehl, however, soon learned that centuries-old traditions and unwanted occupation by other countries had made its citizens wary, proud and fiercely protective.
Always a bit of a delinquent, young Diehl was hot to get out of his hometown Iowa City, ready for an adventure and some easy money, but he was warned before he even touched down at the airport. His seatmate on the plane fairly oozed with cautious advice. “Don’t get caught, man,” he told him, fearful that Diehl was an undocumented worker. “This close to North Korea, people are suspicious of foreigners. Not easygoing people, Koreans. They’re intense.”
Diehl, however, was blithely optimistic. He reported to his new boss, introduced himself to his students and started his adventure.
The rest of the review: https://booktrib.com/2019/10/stealing...
Diehl was fresh out of college when he took a job teaching English in Taegu, the fourth largest city in South Korea where, at first blush, things look modern and Westernized, albeit smothered by industrial smog. Diehl, however, soon learned that centuries-old traditions and unwanted occupation by other countries had made its citizens wary, proud and fiercely protective.
Always a bit of a delinquent, young Diehl was hot to get out of his hometown Iowa City, ready for an adventure and some easy money, but he was warned before he even touched down at the airport. His seatmate on the plane fairly oozed with cautious advice. “Don’t get caught, man,” he told him, fearful that Diehl was an undocumented worker. “This close to North Korea, people are suspicious of foreigners. Not easygoing people, Koreans. They’re intense.”
Diehl, however, was blithely optimistic. He reported to his new boss, introduced himself to his students and started his adventure.
The rest of the review: https://booktrib.com/2019/10/stealing...
November 7, 2019
I loved this book from start to finish. The author's detailed descriptions of Korean life and culture drew me in immediately. From the beginning, Diehl, and his wife, Jennifer, struggled through harrowing experiences in order to be together as a couple. Despite Korean society's disdainful look upon Koren women dating American men, they met secretly and continued their relationship. Diehl's outlook, humor, and never-give-up attitude helped both of them to finally get to the U.S. and eventually tell their story.
As an international educator who never worked in South Korea, I enjoyed Mark's retelling of his time there and his many experiences with the administration, roommates, and other teachers. From his vivid descriptions, life in South Korea at that time was not altogether enjoyable, either. I always enjoy reading about other cultures and this book definitely delivered. I couldn't help wondering if South Korea is still like this today.
Stealing Cinderella is a ride worth taking. The ups and downs will keep you entertained to the very end, while also keeping you wonder....did this really happen?
Thank you NetGalley, Mark Diehl, and publisher for granting me permission to read and review this book.
Jill Dobbe
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
As an international educator who never worked in South Korea, I enjoyed Mark's retelling of his time there and his many experiences with the administration, roommates, and other teachers. From his vivid descriptions, life in South Korea at that time was not altogether enjoyable, either. I always enjoy reading about other cultures and this book definitely delivered. I couldn't help wondering if South Korea is still like this today.
Stealing Cinderella is a ride worth taking. The ups and downs will keep you entertained to the very end, while also keeping you wonder....did this really happen?
Thank you NetGalley, Mark Diehl, and publisher for granting me permission to read and review this book.
Jill Dobbe
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
August 6, 2019
I enjoyed reading this book, mostly I enjoyed the setting South Korea, a place where not many books are set. Just because of this the book became fascinating to me. It is a true story and there is an innocence to it. The year was 1993, so still a time I feel I could relate to. Mark an impoverished graduate from the US arrived in South Korea to teach English. At the school he worked in, he meet and fell in love with a local girl but this is no ordinary love story and there is nothing mushy about it.
For anyone who likes to read about relationships and social norms in a place that we don't know a lot about, this book is an eye opener and is at times both moving and gripping.
I would love to hear more about what happened after the conclusion of the book, although there is a resume at the end.
For anyone who likes to read about relationships and social norms in a place that we don't know a lot about, this book is an eye opener and is at times both moving and gripping.
I would love to hear more about what happened after the conclusion of the book, although there is a resume at the end.
August 22, 2019
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this. This book was a wonderful insight into the Korean culture. Mark Dielh went to South Korea to teach English classes. There he met and fell in love with a second daughter from a wealthy family. (Which is absolutely forbidden.) Through the class discussions and the difficulties with seeing one another we learn how strict the culture can be. Eventually they flee the country for their love. In part an informative book this is also a sweet romance. I enjoyed the slow immersion into Korean lifestyle, the writing and tone allows the reader to learn without feeling like your reading a textbook.
September 4, 2019
I don't usually read memoirs but this one caught my attention. I guess I'm a little naive when it comes to other cultures since I've never left the U.S. It's so hard realizing how korea's culture was back in the the early 90s. Stealing cinderella opened my eyes to that. This book is well written and kept my attention through the entire book!
July 30, 2020
Running away from someone's family doesn't make you a "fugitive" and staying in hotels in a foreign country for a week or two doesn't make you "homeless."
Yikes
Yikes
February 7, 2021
What a fantastic story. Sometimes I got so caught up in the story that I would forget it's a true story. Highly recommend this book.
February 16, 2020
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a real life thriller, foreign travel and cultural differences.
February 10, 2020
This book captures what it means to be in love in a country that still has strict values when it comes to marriage. It is a captivating, surreal tale about falling in love in the 90s in a foreign country and seeing how that affects different cultures. We are so used to seeing interracial couples, so we aren’t familiar with reading about the violence one suffers when in these relationships. I recommend this to anyone who loves a compelling memoir that will make you believe in true love.
November 18, 2019
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I don't like giving 3 star reviews. I really don't.
I was really excited to read Stealing Cinderella. A true story that is unique like this is, is difficult to find as many of them are very similar.
Mark and Jennifer's story in itself wasn't what bothered me.
This takes place in the early 90's and it is now 2019. The massive blocks of dialogue are something I found hard to believe. Not the conversation itself but that it could be remembered to that extent. This didn't happen once or twice. It was the entire book.
Mark seemed to have an issue with anything Korean. The people, the culture... all of it. While I understand he was a fish out of water so to speak, the way he handled it (which also made my eyebrow go up and my spidey sense go off) was extremely off-putting. He argued with Korean's more often than not, he got into their faces, and he did some things that dropped my respect quite a bit.
Spoiler ahead:
He lied his way into an American Military Base. My husband was in Korea before his deployment to Iraq. There is a reason why they're Military bases, not Civilian bases. Not cool. Not okay. I get why he did it, but as the wife of a combat veteran, I absolutely can not be okay with this on any level.
The only reason this did not get a DNF from me is because of Jennifer. She taught me so much and I really, really like her.
The ending was... the end. It happened so fast and I feel like it wasn't enough. We went through this entire ordeal, now I want to know about the first few years in the US for Jennifer. She is so smart and cool - how did she handle it? What was the best and worst for her? What else can she teach us?
Jennifer, you should write a book. I'd love to hear more from you, but FROM you.
All in all, I can't really recommend this one due to the lieing to get on to the base.
I don't like giving 3 star reviews. I really don't.
I was really excited to read Stealing Cinderella. A true story that is unique like this is, is difficult to find as many of them are very similar.
Mark and Jennifer's story in itself wasn't what bothered me.
This takes place in the early 90's and it is now 2019. The massive blocks of dialogue are something I found hard to believe. Not the conversation itself but that it could be remembered to that extent. This didn't happen once or twice. It was the entire book.
Mark seemed to have an issue with anything Korean. The people, the culture... all of it. While I understand he was a fish out of water so to speak, the way he handled it (which also made my eyebrow go up and my spidey sense go off) was extremely off-putting. He argued with Korean's more often than not, he got into their faces, and he did some things that dropped my respect quite a bit.
Spoiler ahead:
He lied his way into an American Military Base. My husband was in Korea before his deployment to Iraq. There is a reason why they're Military bases, not Civilian bases. Not cool. Not okay. I get why he did it, but as the wife of a combat veteran, I absolutely can not be okay with this on any level.
The only reason this did not get a DNF from me is because of Jennifer. She taught me so much and I really, really like her.
The ending was... the end. It happened so fast and I feel like it wasn't enough. We went through this entire ordeal, now I want to know about the first few years in the US for Jennifer. She is so smart and cool - how did she handle it? What was the best and worst for her? What else can she teach us?
Jennifer, you should write a book. I'd love to hear more from you, but FROM you.
All in all, I can't really recommend this one due to the lieing to get on to the base.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2019
Love conquers all. That is what I kept thinking as I read Stealing Cinderella, by Mark D. Diehl. This is the real life love story of Mark and Jennifer. Although, it reads as action movie! Mark and Jennifer met in South Korea while they were both teaching English. Jennifer, a native South Korean and Mark a recent college graduate from Iowa. Their connection was pure and true. But their cultures clashed. They couldn't be more different. Their desire to be together and to leave South Korea for the United States is the focal point of this memoir.
Although the book started slowly, it quickly picked up tempo as the Mr. Diehl described South Korea and how he fit in, or didn't fit in, to the area. When Jennifer entered his life, we learned more about South Korean culture and how Jennifer, being the middle child, felt ignored and abandoned. I learned about the need for obedience and hierarchy in South Korea. The danger for Mark to be seen with a South Korean woman was great, but it was more dangerous for Jennifer. And that danger never stopped until they made it to Iowa.
I thoroughly loved this book. I really could see it as a movie. There are so many exciting scenes, I found myself holding my breath a few times. There is a lot to be learned about culture and respect for culture from this book. But there is much to be learned about human respect. I know that a South Korean child needs to follow the directions given by the parent, from where to go to school, what to major in and what job they will get when completed, not to mention who they will marry. But is it humane to beat that child unconscious if they don't follow those directions. This memoir gives us much to consider.
Although the book started slowly, it quickly picked up tempo as the Mr. Diehl described South Korea and how he fit in, or didn't fit in, to the area. When Jennifer entered his life, we learned more about South Korean culture and how Jennifer, being the middle child, felt ignored and abandoned. I learned about the need for obedience and hierarchy in South Korea. The danger for Mark to be seen with a South Korean woman was great, but it was more dangerous for Jennifer. And that danger never stopped until they made it to Iowa.
I thoroughly loved this book. I really could see it as a movie. There are so many exciting scenes, I found myself holding my breath a few times. There is a lot to be learned about culture and respect for culture from this book. But there is much to be learned about human respect. I know that a South Korean child needs to follow the directions given by the parent, from where to go to school, what to major in and what job they will get when completed, not to mention who they will marry. But is it humane to beat that child unconscious if they don't follow those directions. This memoir gives us much to consider.
August 20, 2019
I loved “Stealing Cinderella!” It is the true story of how two kindred spirits from different sides of the globe met and realized they were meant for each other, but the society decided to try and break them up. It’s passionate and violent, and even somewhat crazy.
I liked the way Diehl informed us about Korean culture by using examples from his English classes and lunchtime conversations with his colleagues – we learn about it as he does. It let me see the kind of restrictive society that exists there and how ingrained the rules are in the people's everyday lives. We learned a lot about Jennifer’s upbringing, and his, as well, by conversations they would have over lunch.
This is not a head-over-heals, heart-pounding romance of fiction, but a true story about how much these two have in common even though they are from such different worlds. I see him as her knight in shining armor, though on a black bike instead of a white horse. It's not a spoiler to say that they encounter opposition throughout and only through cunning is he able to “Steal Cinderella.” Lots of memoirs teach us new things and show us interesting people in difficult situations, but none have ever gotten my pulse pounding the way this one did. It’s a fantastic read (but a true story!) and I can’t recommend it strongly enough.
I received a free e-copy of #StealingCinderella from #NetGalley for an honest review.
I liked the way Diehl informed us about Korean culture by using examples from his English classes and lunchtime conversations with his colleagues – we learn about it as he does. It let me see the kind of restrictive society that exists there and how ingrained the rules are in the people's everyday lives. We learned a lot about Jennifer’s upbringing, and his, as well, by conversations they would have over lunch.
This is not a head-over-heals, heart-pounding romance of fiction, but a true story about how much these two have in common even though they are from such different worlds. I see him as her knight in shining armor, though on a black bike instead of a white horse. It's not a spoiler to say that they encounter opposition throughout and only through cunning is he able to “Steal Cinderella.” Lots of memoirs teach us new things and show us interesting people in difficult situations, but none have ever gotten my pulse pounding the way this one did. It’s a fantastic read (but a true story!) and I can’t recommend it strongly enough.
I received a free e-copy of #StealingCinderella from #NetGalley for an honest review.
November 12, 2019
Fantastic book! It was a great combination of being an intriguing and, often, suspenseful personal memoir as well as an informative reflection on Korean society. I was drawn to this book because my son wanted to go to Asia to teach English, much like the author did. I had recommended he go to South Korea because I also thought it was an up and coming country, but he was intent of going to Japan instead and I'm so glad he did. I don't know whether it was the fact that it was 20 years later (he went in 2014) or whether the Korean culture and acceptance of foreigners and particularly of a relationship between a Asian woman and Western man is so different from the Japanese norms, but he encountered none of the frightening problems and married a lovely Japanese woman this year with the full blessing of her family, complete with the four changes of costume during the wedding ceremonies, and they continue to live happily in Japan. I would have been interested in information on whether what Mark Diehl encountered is still what would be expected today. The section on the experiences in Hong Kong were as compelling and informative as those in Korea, and I very much appreciated the epilogue and pictures since I felt quite invested in the couple and their long-term well-being. This is a book that will stay with me and that I will enthusiastically recommend to others, and I thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance e-copy.
January 25, 2020
Compelling, raw and real. A story of love and navigating cultures told truthfully!
December 13, 2019
This real-life, recounting of the story of a bi-cultural Romeo and Juliet gives us a meticulously detailed snapshot of a situation that is hard to believe happened in the contemporary world, albeit 25 years ago. Diehl paints a picture of the South Korean environment he hopes will bring him opportunity, but instead brings him forbidden love, with a mountain full of culture impediments to it's realization. As the events unfold, a picture of a highly regimented and networked society, fiercely protective of their way of life and willing to sacrifice all for it's continuation, is painted in all it's dangerous, even life-threating detail. You're never quite sure if love will conquer all as you root for the couple to succeed, and open the hearts of those in pursuit. It's a screenplay waiting to happen--a movie for sure.
November 12, 2019
Definitely put this book on your MUST READ list.
I couldn't put the book down once I started reading and after I was finished reading it I wanted to start back at the beginning and read it again!
So many rich details about the culture in South Korea and Hong Kong. The romantic aspect of the book is very subtle, thankfully, the author chose to be tasteful in relaying details. This to me was another level of respect for the love of his life and I appreciated it! The story was suspenseful, tragic, sad, and triumphant and just lovely! Highly recommend the book.
Oh and on another note, if you or someone you love may experience BPD (diagnosed or undiagnosed) this book is a real eye-opener as to the impact on a child.
I couldn't put the book down once I started reading and after I was finished reading it I wanted to start back at the beginning and read it again!
So many rich details about the culture in South Korea and Hong Kong. The romantic aspect of the book is very subtle, thankfully, the author chose to be tasteful in relaying details. This to me was another level of respect for the love of his life and I appreciated it! The story was suspenseful, tragic, sad, and triumphant and just lovely! Highly recommend the book.
Oh and on another note, if you or someone you love may experience BPD (diagnosed or undiagnosed) this book is a real eye-opener as to the impact on a child.
August 28, 2019
What would you give up for love? That is a great question to think about when reading this book. Mark and Jennifer meet at work in South Korea. Mark is there for work to teach English. Jennifer is Korean and was a teacher as well.
In Korean culture, your parents plan out your entire life for you: school, work, and even your husband. Of course, they did not want their Korean daughter to marry an American.
This book is all about how Mark and Jennifer risked everything, even their lives, to be together. We take for granted we can choose who we love and marry.
In Korean culture, your parents plan out your entire life for you: school, work, and even your husband. Of course, they did not want their Korean daughter to marry an American.
This book is all about how Mark and Jennifer risked everything, even their lives, to be together. We take for granted we can choose who we love and marry.
January 5, 2020
I really like reading about stories that take place in other countries and offer insight into other cultures and I really like memoirs so I was definitely interested in this story. And it definitely delivered on content, however, I wasn’t impressed by the writing, especially the dialogue. And I personally didn’t really like Mark’s attitude. It’s a really interesting story but not the best read.
November 25, 2019
Great Read!
The fly on the wall perspective was well done and I was allowed to draw my own conclusions about the culture, the country and the people there. Mark is rather irresistible and charming in a bad boy kind of way! I truly enjoyed the adventure.
The fly on the wall perspective was well done and I was allowed to draw my own conclusions about the culture, the country and the people there. Mark is rather irresistible and charming in a bad boy kind of way! I truly enjoyed the adventure.
December 28, 2019
🏆 2019 BIBA™ Memoir Winner!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews