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koreanlinda'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? No
4.0
I grew up in South Korea until my high school year. While reading this book, I finally realized that every minute of my childhood was filled with experiences of sexism and misogyny. Through counseling therapy, I have already realized that the physical punishment (along with verbal and psychological abuse) by my mother and teachers was indeed violence and child abuse. (It was so normalized that I thought it was acceptable for most of my life.) However, I did not realize until now that the oppression and abuse I experienced were much bigger than my small circle of personal relationships.
I am now living in the USA, where they have a considerable portion of sexism and misogyny. However, I deem that there is a better awareness around it here, compared to South Korea. The frustration I experienced in Korea (during my residence in childhood and my visits in adulthood) and what I read in the book largely originates from the normalization of sexism and misogyny. There are small pockets of feminist groups speaking up for women's rights, but they are brutally demonized by mainstream society. Fighting for women's rights quickly feels like screaming into a void, unheard and disregarded. Even people who seem to care fail to understand women's struggles. For example, Jung, TaeHyun, a loving and supportive husband of Kim, JiYoung still considers his domestic role as "helping" her housework." JiYoung's therapist empathizes with her struggles as well as his wife's, who had also lost her career due to childbirth and parenting. However, at the end of his self-reflection, he concludes that it'd be wiser to hire unmarried female employees at his doctor's office so he doesn't lose their workforce due to their family obligations.
My heart goes out to all Kim, JiYoungs of South Korea and to my younger self, who lived in deep confusion and hurt for a long time.
Review by Linda (Any Pronouns) in April 2024
Personal essays on DefinitelyNotOkay.com
Artwork on Instagram @KoreanLinda
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Violence 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
ayowtf's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
A large part of this book made me feel a flurry of emotions. So much, that I developed a migraine in between reading it. Her novel perfectly describes the socially conservative nature of South Korea, while also detailing the difficulties of being a first time mother. Similarly, the book perfectly describes the disconnect between genders (in relation to workplace violence, and pregnancy).
The beginning was hard to follow in the beginning, as it read like a infographic. However, it picked up greatly. I wasn’t able to put it down (despite that migraine I mentioned). If you want a book that will stick with you, this is it.
Graphic: Sexual violence and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Pregnancy
Minor: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
beatriks's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.5
This book really makes me angry.
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Medical trauma, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Stalking, and Abortion