The Girl with Seven Names: Escape from North Korea

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

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.

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Published May 10, 2016

320 pages

Average rating: 8.32

275 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

LucyN
Mar 13, 2026
10/10 stars
I learned so much about North and South Korea from this book. The story is interesting and feels very real. The reality of this young girl's life will take your breath away at times. You hold your breath while she makes mistakes and lives with the consequences. I found the book so interesting, even though it was unbelievable at times. I did some research on the author and enjoyed her Ted Talk.
Mary Pat Holt
Feb 05, 2026
6/10 stars
While I don't know much about North Korea, sadly, (except that it is communist) I found this this to be a very fascinating story. It reads quickly and the author reviews what has happened so you don't get confused. I found myself sympathizing with her and other times not. She was a young girl, 17, when she snuck across the border into China. She was planning to return in just 4 days. That never happened. She was very naive. I had no idea how many people bribe officials in N. Korea and China to look the other way. This made me think a lot about our own immigration problem in the US. They are different of course. Hers is one of a human rights issue. She now lives in South Korea and has even given a TED talk.
DLB
Dec 14, 2025
8/10 stars
North Korea is in the news but I never really understood what the people of North Korea have gone through and continue to go through. Hyeonseo does an excellent job of telling about the two Koreas, China, Vietnam and Laos. It is so hard to believe that things like this go on in our world. We as Americans are so fortunate, let's make sure that we stay that way! Can't wait to view her TED talk.
Juliette Reads A Lot
Apr 18, 2025
8/10 stars
Great testimony of life in North Korea, and of the experiences faced by defectors when they escape from this regime.
I would recommend reading it with The Accusation by Bandi.
Resilience is the word I would use to describe Hyeonseo Lee’s journey to freedom. In the face of danger, she used her wits to get out of bad situations.

Full review on my blog: https://the-literary-adventures-of-a-french-reader.com/blog/the-girl-with-seven-names-escape-from-north-korea

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