The Boy Who Escaped Paradise - by J M Lee (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

An unidentified body is discovered in New York City, with numbers and symbols are written in blood near the corpse. Gil-mo, a North Korean national who interprets the world through numbers, formulas, and mathematical theories, is arrested on the spot. Angela, a CIA operative, is assigned to gain his trust and access his unique persona.

In The Boy Who Escaped Paradise, celebrated author J. M. Lee delves into a hidden world filled with vivid characters trapped by ideology, greed, and despair. Gil-mo's saga forces the reader to question the line between good and evil, truth and falsehood, and captivity and freedom.

Review Quotes

"A haunting journey through the eyes of a young man with Asperger syndrome. Lee's novel touches on the literary need for character-driven stories that move beyond the strangeness and horror of life under the North Korean state." --Paste

"A reminder of the power of numbers, but one doesn't need to be a math fan to appreciate the brilliance of this work. The language is mesmerizing. An exciting adventure added to rich characters, all multiplied by stunning language, equals an unforgettable novel." --Shelf Awareness

"Lee creates a dignified and moving portrait of North Koreans' struggle for freedom at home and abroad, and intertwines it with a rogue genius adventure--all without sacrificing the appeal of either plot line. Another outstanding thriller from Lee, whose novels have garnered massive acclaim in Korea." --Booklist

"A smart, riveting read." --Publishers Weekly

"Channeling timeless quests from The Odyssey on, while highly reminiscent of the contemporary cult classic Vikas Swarup's Q&A (the literary inspiration for celluloid sensation "Slumdog Millionaire"), Lee's latest should guarantee exponential growth among savvy Western audiences searching for a universal story with global connections. In a phrase, read this." --Library Journal (starred)