gwardyy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Parental abuse and neglect
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse
pearseanderson's review against another edition
I wasn't invested enough to keep going. Simply said hmmm bye bye
crystal_reading's review against another edition
4.0
Ended up finding a hotteok recipe after reading the scene where she makes them. https://mykoreankitchen.com/korean-sweet-pancakes/ So good. The book is not a warm and sweet one though.
maxgene's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
nabilahs's review against another edition
3.0
"I remembered our years under Japanese rule. How we were perpetually hungry, how we weren't even allowed to speak our own tongue".
Trigger warning: Adult relationship, suicide, postpartum illness
If You Leave Me is Hana Kim's debut novel, focus on refugee life during Korean War 1951 until 1967. Tells a story of Haemi friendship with Kyunghwan, both are 16 years old. Jealousy hit Kyunghwan when his second cousin, Jisoo fell in love with Haemi.
I was looking forward to the portrait of war and refugee life, but no, all I read is a passionate and love triangle between Haemi, Jisoo, and Kyunghwan.
The story is told from multiple POVs; Haemi, Jisoo, Kyunghwan, Solee (Haemi's daughter), and Hyunki (Haemi's little brother). As the story continues, the historical details become less important.
The female protagonist, Haemi is a dark character. She suffers from the post-partum period even years after she gives birth to daughters when her husband demands a son. Sometimes, my heart breaks for her. She try hard to juggling between her work and looking after her kids.
Jisoo is a jerk, selfish and ungrateful husband. They both have 4 daughters, but his wife is the only one who take care of their kids.
I love Hyunki, Haemi's little brother the most. He is a kind and most considerate character in this book.
The plot is quite messy, jump into another year to the point I just skimming through the last pages.
If you are looking for love triangle romance, this book is for you.
Trigger warning: Adult relationship, suicide, postpartum illness
If You Leave Me is Hana Kim's debut novel, focus on refugee life during Korean War 1951 until 1967. Tells a story of Haemi friendship with Kyunghwan, both are 16 years old. Jealousy hit Kyunghwan when his second cousin, Jisoo fell in love with Haemi.
I was looking forward to the portrait of war and refugee life, but no, all I read is a passionate and love triangle between Haemi, Jisoo, and Kyunghwan.
The story is told from multiple POVs; Haemi, Jisoo, Kyunghwan, Solee (Haemi's daughter), and Hyunki (Haemi's little brother). As the story continues, the historical details become less important.
The female protagonist, Haemi is a dark character. She suffers from the post-partum period even years after she gives birth to daughters when her husband demands a son. Sometimes, my heart breaks for her. She try hard to juggling between her work and looking after her kids.
Jisoo is a jerk, selfish and ungrateful husband. They both have 4 daughters, but his wife is the only one who take care of their kids.
I love Hyunki, Haemi's little brother the most. He is a kind and most considerate character in this book.
The plot is quite messy, jump into another year to the point I just skimming through the last pages.
If you are looking for love triangle romance, this book is for you.
brittfiocca's review against another edition
3.0
So heartbreaking. Well written and devastating story about Korea split by war. Didn’t find too many characters likeable however.
marajoy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
phenomenal and devastating. i would definitely recommend this but check the content warnings
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, Self harm, Mental illness, War, Violence, Sexism, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Suicide, and Injury/Injury detail
joonsmoonchild89's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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
3.5
grifmk01's review against another edition
3.0
3.7/5
This is a heartbreaking novel. I often questioned why I was continuing to read this because the story just gets worse and worse, and it's hard to like these characters. It finally hit me when a major plot point happens, these are real people. These people have stopped living, and are just surviving. They make safe or what they think are the best choices and just live with them. They long for more, but don't jump at opportunities. I think this is a very good book on love, and loss, and the uncertainty of life.
This is a heartbreaking novel. I often questioned why I was continuing to read this because the story just gets worse and worse, and it's hard to like these characters. It finally hit me when a major plot point happens, these are real people. These people have stopped living, and are just surviving. They make safe or what they think are the best choices and just live with them. They long for more, but don't jump at opportunities. I think this is a very good book on love, and loss, and the uncertainty of life.
pj2's review against another edition
5.0
This was so beautiful. I love this book so much, someone searching for more in life, postpartum depression, a love that could never happen, suffrage, poverty and war. This whole novel was utterly heartbreaking I felt awful for all the characters but it rung true to the lives of those who have survived war and so much loss. 10/10 would recommend.