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platypussy69's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Stalking, and Sexual harassment
kaylaswhitmore's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I find myself, upon finishing the book, recalling so many moments during my korean-american upbringing listening to my mom process how she wished she weren’t Korean, how she forbade me to marry a Korean man, how she never wanted to return to Korea… Some of those sentiments have changed for her since then, though not all, and as a 26yo married woman, fast approaching the time to begin a family, I found this book a really harrowing and brutal memoir of Korean society and patriarchal society at large. Yes, Korea is unique to its own culture and atmosphere—but sadly, even as an American, I could relate to far more than I wanted to be able to.
I can only imagine how many little nuggets of gold were lost in the translation of this book from Korean to English. Still, Nam-joo’s unflinching portrait of misogyny and motherhood is both chilling and humbling. It brings to light questions of progress, how to bring about progress, even who can truly drive progress. And the end is unapologetically realistic. But even then, the thread of hope—of feminine unity—that persists throughout her narrative gives hope. It’s all the women along the way that hold us up, bring us to the light. It’s the women who are afraid, yet still speak, the women who are small, but make themselves big that inspire us. We can be that for each other, and one day, the fight won’t be so hard.
I highly recommend this read to women and men of any background, though unfortunately, the men who need to read it most will probably not bother.
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Miscarriage, Grief, Stalking, Abortion, and Alcohol
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Infertility, and Classism
ericispublius's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Stalking, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infertility, and Abortion
Minor: Death of parent
cicizzy's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The story about her mental breakdown or whatever this was, was honestly a bit weird to me and felt incomplete. I would have liked it better if it had been left out.
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
Minor: Body shaming, Stalking, and Alcohol
tessalovespanda's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Misogyny, Sexism, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Sexual assault, Stalking, and Sexual harassment
zgreyz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
Graphic: Sexism and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Classism
cami_chai's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pregnancy
Minor: Pedophilia, Medical trauma, and Stalking
crybabybea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Following Kim Jiyoung's story was heartbreaking, and made even more emotional with the understanding that her fictional experience was common, if not milder, than what most women in South Korea experience. The misogyny she faces starts early and gets worse as she ages, and as a reader, all you can do is watch as it compounds upon her and drives her to madness.
I liked how this was written, with an interesting narrator whose identity is only revealed at the end, and for my first piece of literary fiction, I'm really satisfied that I chose this, and it's sparked for me an interest in literary fiction and translated works.
Graphic: Body shaming, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
maggiezz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, Violence, Stalking, and Sexual harassment
scifi_rat's review against another edition
4.75
Prose: 4.5★
Pace: 5★
Concept/Execution: 5★/5★
Characters: 4.75★
Worldbuilding: 4.75★
Ending: 5★
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Stalking, Abortion, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Vomit, Death of parent, and Alcohol