63 pages 2 hours read

Hyeonseo Lee

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

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2015

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In The Girl with Seven Names: A North Korean Defector’s Story, Hyeonseo Lee recounts her journey from North Korea to China and eventually South Korea, starting as a curious teenager who only intended to visit China. Her journey becomes a harrowing survival tale as she navigates life as an illegal immigrant, flees danger, and ultimately secures asylum in South Korea, reuniting her family and advocating for North Korean defectors. The book includes topics such as human trafficking, brutal assaults, and near-deportation experiences.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

The Girl with Seven Names by Hyeonseo Lee captivates readers with a gripping account of her defection from North Korea. Praised for its heartfelt narrative and deep insights into North Korean life, the memoir also faces criticism for occasional pacing issues and lack of broader geopolitical analysis. Overall, it remains a powerful testament to resilience and courage.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Girl with Seven Names?

Readers who are captivated by stories of resilience, political intrigue, and personal transformation will enjoy The Girl with Seven Names by Hyeonseo Lee. Fans of Escape from Camp 14 by Blaine Harden and In Order to Live by Yeonmi Park will find this memoir of defection from North Korea equally compelling and thought-provoking.

Recommended

Reading Age

16+years

Book Details

Topics

Politics / Government

History: World

Genre

Korean Literature

Asian Literature

Biography