The Girl with Seven Names: A North Korean Defector’s Story by Hyeonseo Lee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this about a year ago but the story has not left me. I am in awe of the author, Hyeonseo Lee, and her determination at the age of 17 to escape from the oppressive regime of North Korea. Her story is compelling and I had trouble putting it down. It ends far better than the stories of most other defectors. This young woman showed incredible strength and perseverance not only in her escape to freedom, but finally successful she then had to face terrifying twists and turns in her new world. Her own escape was miraculous and fascinating, but that she put herself back in the same dangerous environment in order to help her not forgotten beloved family escape, and then guide them out on a dangerous 2,000 mile trip through China and Laos is amazing. She remains a compassionate activist for her people and her country. You can watch her TED talks, interviews, news reports and learn more about her volunteer work here: www.hyeonseo-lee.com/eng/default.shtml . This was an incredible, powerful and illuminating story!

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