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itsbookishjazzie's review against another edition
4.0
Kailangan ko mag review neto. Binubuo ko pa lang.
karatechoptime's review against another edition
3.0
Hmmm. The best thing about this book was how short it was :) ok, that’s a little harsh…
I think my impression of what this was going to be, and what it was were very different. I thought it was more speculative fiction / mental health. But it is really about gender inequality in Korea. Sadly I see and have experienced a mirror in the US in many of these issues. And also having worked internationally experienced some of these workplace / life prejudices as well.
The writing wasn't great, or perhaps the translation, and the switching from fiction to cited non-fiction references was a little bumpy, as well as the shift in the end to point of view, but that shift also made sense and wrapped it up with a slightly different perspective. A couple of my highlights:
"I have a college degree, too, you know."
"Since she became a full-time housewife, she often noticed that there was a polarized attitude regarding domestic labor. Some demeaned it as "bumming around at home," while others glorified it as "work that sustains life," but none tried to calculate its monetary value. Probably because the moment you put a price on something, someone has to pay."
Honestly, this book was pretty depressing. It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation for women, battling choices and sacrifices that men typically don't have to. It sucks, and is upsetting.
But the writing wasn't especially compelling. Maybe it’s uncommon in Korea, but not very original. It just… wandered. Still, it is important. And no shock that it is causing blowback from men in Korea about the content. Surely blowback here in the states too.
I think my impression of what this was going to be, and what it was were very different. I thought it was more speculative fiction / mental health. But it is really about gender inequality in Korea. Sadly I see and have experienced a mirror in the US in many of these issues. And also having worked internationally experienced some of these workplace / life prejudices as well.
The writing wasn't great, or perhaps the translation, and the switching from fiction to cited non-fiction references was a little bumpy, as well as the shift in the end to point of view, but that shift also made sense and wrapped it up with a slightly different perspective. A couple of my highlights:
"I have a college degree, too, you know."
"Since she became a full-time housewife, she often noticed that there was a polarized attitude regarding domestic labor. Some demeaned it as "bumming around at home," while others glorified it as "work that sustains life," but none tried to calculate its monetary value. Probably because the moment you put a price on something, someone has to pay."
Honestly, this book was pretty depressing. It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation for women, battling choices and sacrifices that men typically don't have to. It sucks, and is upsetting.
But the writing wasn't especially compelling. Maybe it’s uncommon in Korea, but not very original. It just… wandered. Still, it is important. And no shock that it is causing blowback from men in Korea about the content. Surely blowback here in the states too.
lauren_mae's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
People who pop a painkiller at
the smallest hint of a migraine, or who need anaes-thetic cream to remove a mole, demand that women giving birth should gladly endure the pain, exhaustion and mortal fear. As if that's maternal love. This idea of 'maternal love' is spreading like religious dogma.
Accept Maternal Love as your Lord and Saviour, for the Kingdom is near!
bookishcritiques's review against another edition
5.0
Cho Nam-Joo’s Kim Ji-Young Born 1982 follows the life of a young Korean woman throughout different stages of her life, both prior to her birth and after the birth of her own child. The book wonderfully encompasses the ins and outs of sexism that follows Korean girl’s in terms of male gender preference prior to birth, victim blaming during teenagehood, and the complicity of both men and women in terms of attitudes and opinions, into the patriarchal misogyny that shapes a girl’s childhood.
Not only does the author successfully highlight the difficulties of women throughout different periods of their lives, the opinions and attitudes from men are widely discussed in terms of the character’s father placing blame on attire, male colleagues’ complicity with regards to the sharing of and silence that comes with finding private photos online from spy cams, and finally, the inability for men to thoroughly understand what life is like for a Korean woman.
While reading this book, I found the language and writing style to be comfortable, clear, and concise. I read the book in one sitting, and would recommend for others to read in order to understand just how sexism is in other countries of the world besides the west.
Not only does the author successfully highlight the difficulties of women throughout different periods of their lives, the opinions and attitudes from men are widely discussed in terms of the character’s father placing blame on attire, male colleagues’ complicity with regards to the sharing of and silence that comes with finding private photos online from spy cams, and finally, the inability for men to thoroughly understand what life is like for a Korean woman.
While reading this book, I found the language and writing style to be comfortable, clear, and concise. I read the book in one sitting, and would recommend for others to read in order to understand just how sexism is in other countries of the world besides the west.
serial_readerph's review against another edition
5.0
I like how the author actually used actual data with foot notes and incorporate facts to the novel. Giving light to how gender inequality affect women's life and livelihoods.
It is an easy read and at some point you can't help but to think and relate. I think most of the scenes does not only depict or portray how Korean women are struggling but it also happens to most women globally
It is an easy read and at some point you can't help but to think and relate. I think most of the scenes does not only depict or portray how Korean women are struggling but it also happens to most women globally
rosiefpb's review against another edition
4.0
Less novel and more statistical analysis of barriers to education and employment for Korean women but still very interesting. I enjoyed the dry delivery of the last line although I did have to double check it was really written by a woman to confirm it was firmly tounge in cheek. I think I too would have had a psychotic breakdown if I had to put up with that shit.
blackswazn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
delirantia's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
hay libros que es imposible separarlos del contexto social en el que son publicados y la verdad es que leyendo no podía evitar pensar en el impacto que tuvo y tiene este libro en el feminismo coreano a pesar de que a ojos de 2024 pueda parecer básico (mujeres de todos los ámbitos que son acosadas incluso a día de hoy simplemente por leerlo, por feministas).
es verdad que la prosa se hace un poco seca y distante pero creo que justamente esa distancia, esa falta de empatía y esa normalización de la situación de tantas mujeres hace que la denuncia del problema y de la falta de acción sea tan directa y eficaz
es verdad que la prosa se hace un poco seca y distante pero creo que justamente esa distancia, esa falta de empatía y esa normalización de la situación de tantas mujeres hace que la denuncia del problema y de la falta de acción sea tan directa y eficaz
kzlfps's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
sofia_domingos's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 is an incredibly powerful and eye-opening read. This book is both shocking and necessary, as it delves into the harsh realities of gender inequality and societal expectations that women face, not only in South Korea but universally. The author masterfully illustrates how deeply ingrained misogyny affects every aspect of a woman’s life, often in subtle but devastating ways. Kim Jiyoung's story is haunting and relatable, making you reflect on your own experiences or those of women around you. This is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the challenges women continue to face today. Five stars!