The Girl with Seven Names: Free Sampler: A North Korean Defector’s Story

by Hyeonseo Lee

An extraordinary insight into life under one of the world’s most ruthless and secretive dictatorships – and the story of one woman’s terrifying struggle to avoid capture/repatriation and guide her family to freedom. As a child growing up in North Korea, Hyeonseo Lee was one of millions trapped by a secretive and brutal communist regime. Her home on the border with China gave her some exposure to the world beyond the confines of the Hermit Kingdom and, as the famine of the 1990s struck, she began to wonder, question and to realise that she had been brainwashed her entire life. Given the repression, poverty and starvation she witnessed surely her country could not be, as she had been told “the best on the planet”? Aged seventeen, she decided to escape North Korea. She could not have imagined that it would be twelve years before she was reunited with her family.

Genres: Book Club, Memoir

Kindle Edition

Published July 2, 2015

About the author

"Hyeonseo Lee brought the human consequences of global inaction on North Korea to the world's doorstep.... Against all odds she escaped, survived, and had the courage to speak out."

--Samantha Power, U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations

Reviews

[Lynnette Goebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of the several books I've read about North Korea, this ranks #1. The author wrote a detailed account of growing up in North Korea - of life, hardships, family, thoughts, and culture. She was honest and invited the reader into her story.

She suffered hardships and yet persevered. She allowed me to come along as she learned the truth about the world and about her beloved homeland. She was rather amazing as she overcame all obstacles yet shared her fears.

It is an excellent book and I highly recommend it to understand and broaden your understanding of different governments and the affects on their people. It was also a tragic, yet almost a comic commentary on what is currently happening in the United States.

[Jessica Casperson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every time I stopped reading I would continue to think about this book until I started again. I don’t know enough about North Korea and the way of life over there so this was wild. Grateful for my freedom

[Nika Fukatsu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a girl who escaped the harsh circumstances of North Korea at the young age of 18 and created a new life for herself. It started off with the author talking about her life in North Korea when she was still a little kid and her perspective of the country at that time. As the story goes on she experiences more and more new obstacles and adventures. When reading this, you get to learn about what true friendship is like, the type of experiences people endure, and what it's like to feel lost and different. The author's thrilling journey will keep you on the edge, but the ending is beautifully soothing.

[donna landsman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was extraordinary expedition traveling from N. Korea to China , Laos and South Korea. Separated from her family for 12 years as she left N Korea as a 17 year old. What she endured to stay alive changing her name because of the fear of getting caught ! Finally meeting up with her family again dealing with the possibility of getting caught or being jailed while trying to get her family out of jail.

[Natalie Steed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I learned so much about North Korean culture and traditions. I was amazed how little freedom they have and how isolated they are from what is going on in the rest of the world. Hearing about the huge struggle it was to go from country to country and back again so grateful for the many freedoms I enjoy.

[Bonnie Vance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in life in North Korea. This is also the story of one yoing girl's struggle living in China as an illegal - hence the title "The Girl with Seven Names".

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got the Kindle edition earlier this year after re-watching an episode of NCIS featuring a North Korean spy posing as a South Korean. An amazing, often heartbreaking, story of one North Korean woman's journey to freedom in the US.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book favorite book of 2020

Really enjoyed learning about north and South Korea

[Jayne Truran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my usual book but recommend by our school chaplain. Excellent just not long enough. So many questions left unanswered

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing, challenging, heroic life. I really enjoyed reading this and was often on the edge of my seat. It was interesting and horrifying to learn more about North Korea.

[Elham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wounderdful autobiography wich keeps your mind bussy with the story all day

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started off ok, but got boring. Couldn’t even finish it. 1/4 way through and didn’t finish it. Lost my interest pretty quickly.

[Cindy Babcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Linda Pelak · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly astounding memoir and eye opener.

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read would recommend

[Buckeyebet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book about North and South Korea and other parts of Asia and how people there interact.

[Jan Sturtevant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and informative read.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book about the hardships in living in North Korea and finding freedom and a new life outside of that country.

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fascinating story but i didn’t enjoy the writing style.

[Kelly Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful story of identity and belonging. Beautifully written.

[Wendi Buchanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read. Informative of Korean life.
I will stay here in USA

[Becky Cornelius · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extraordinary memoir of a young girls escape from North Korea. Eye- opening details of life in North Korea and unbelievable perseverance needed to esacape.

[Christina Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I listened to the audiobook.