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michaelion's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This one hits a lil too close to home for me because I too currently work in healthcare with a woman who has memory loss and I too am gay and have a girlfriend and I too do not like my roommate and I also do not have children. I am all of these characters. So extra points for being relevant to me and the life I currently live but who knows how I'll feel about it next year. I like the way the emotions are expressed. Even though it's a translation of a language I don't know I feel they did the original justice.
Graphic: Death, Dementia, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Ableism, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Violence, Medical content, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
I tagged ableism although it's more like ageism. But in this case it's one and the same.m4rtt4's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book really evoked emotions in me, so much so that I had to rate it 'challenging' because the main character's stubborn homophobia really irked me at times. The story is sad, yet very realistic, and it feels so surreal that this kind of (institutional) discrimination is rather mild when compared globally, as homosexuality is already legal in South Korea.
I think the narrative of a homophobic mother was a great idea, as it forces the reader to step in her shoes — not that it made me understand her, but I couldn't dismiss her feelings either as she wasn't just a one-dimensional hater. It also showed how some people deem themselves as good people: despite the mother actively helping the sick and elderly, she couldn't give her own daughter the same treatment just because she was a lesbian.
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Terminal illness, Medical content, Dementia, Lesbophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death and Violence
angryglitterwitch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Medical content and Medical trauma
Moderate: Hate crime, Homophobia, Terminal illness, Violence, Lesbophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Forced institutionalization
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
it makes for some provocative questions esp abt challenging the 'way of the world,' as the narrator puts it: wouldnt it be easier to live w/ one's head down and do whats necessary to ensure a dignified future esp in old age? it's a question that the titular mother and daughter wrestle w/ all thruout the book, compounded by the former's struggle to comprehend the latter's homosexuality.
though the book can be painfully slow at certain points and i find the characters frustrating a lot of the time, it cant be denied that theyre written well are are fleshed out, w/ major props to kim's ability to articulate the narrator's homophobic reasoning and logic, and her gradual change thats realistic. this book made me think a lot and it provided some very uncomfortable questions and thoughts that few def would want to think abt, but nevertheless necessary.
Graphic: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
Minor: Death, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, and Injury/Injury detail
agateg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The story follows an ageing woman whose 30-something-year-old daughter moves back home with her girlfriend. Now the woman has to face the realities of growing old, having a homosexual daughter and navigating the cultural and societal norms that she has been brought up with.
The story was very intricately portrayed. I loved how detailed and descriptive the writing style, made the story feel more raw and powerful. I this quite accurately would portray my grandparent’s outlook on life. I will definitely be checking out other stories by Kim Hyejin.
Graphic: Homophobia, Violence, and Dementia
Moderate: Excrement, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
clara_mai's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Dementia, Lesbophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
internationalreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Violence, Dementia, Grief, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent
just_a_reader17's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Homophobia and Terminal illness
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
booksavecelle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Death, Excrement, and Dementia
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
cynicalraven's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Grief, Lesbophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexism, Terminal illness, and Excrement