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nastjarchive's review against another edition
3.0
/3.5⭐️/ a raw and unflinching exploration of the challenges faced during 1980s korea, especially by women in an unsafe political and social environment. the novel's portrayal of difficult themes, e.g suicide and rape, makes it a hard but important read. however, as with many translated works, I found that some of the emotional depth and authenticity may have been lost in translation, making it harder to fully connect with the story.
keuchang's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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? Yes
3.5
A quick read. Had to get used to the writing style but thought it was interesting. Quite abrupt ending
asalinas25's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
3.75
internationalreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Vomit, Grief, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
heavenlyangel's review against another edition
reflective
medium-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
3.75
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
"Eunyong curses, lies, and plays hooky fluently. She doesn't seem like that on the surface. A lovely girl. But I won't love anyone ever again. The people I love died because of my love--I know they are with me at all times, hovering around me. How many things are right next to me but can't be seen?"
Yeoul isn't sure what she wants, though a lot of people tell her what she needs. Is it political extremism? Feminism? A job? A revolution? But when she falls into a job that pays more than minimum wage, she can sigh a breath of relief. It's something steady, something that doesn't tell her what to do. Though set in the late 80s, this book feels fresh and reflective of struggles women face today, even women across the world.
There are plenty of women willing to help Yeoul. A café owner, a doctor, her friends. But to receive their assistance, Yeoul must adhere to their rules and standards. To marry. To be political. To remain quiet of all the trauma she has endured at the hands of men. Yeoul sees an escape through marriage, sees an opportunity in a mother she's never known. And yet a husband's love, a mother's love, are just as conditional as everything that had come before it.
Where Yeoul may have previously been generically annoyed at the state of the world and her personal life, she grows into a hostility enacted upon her whose life may be ruined if she dares open her mouth. Besides, even if she did speak, who would listen? She cannot be--refuses to be--what others need, so she takes matters into her own hands and becomes who she needs to be in an act of self-preservation and rage that we can all admire.
Yeoul isn't sure what she wants, though a lot of people tell her what she needs. Is it political extremism? Feminism? A job? A revolution? But when she falls into a job that pays more than minimum wage, she can sigh a breath of relief. It's something steady, something that doesn't tell her what to do. Though set in the late 80s, this book feels fresh and reflective of struggles women face today, even women across the world.
There are plenty of women willing to help Yeoul. A café owner, a doctor, her friends. But to receive their assistance, Yeoul must adhere to their rules and standards. To marry. To be political. To remain quiet of all the trauma she has endured at the hands of men. Yeoul sees an escape through marriage, sees an opportunity in a mother she's never known. And yet a husband's love, a mother's love, are just as conditional as everything that had come before it.
Where Yeoul may have previously been generically annoyed at the state of the world and her personal life, she grows into a hostility enacted upon her whose life may be ruined if she dares open her mouth. Besides, even if she did speak, who would listen? She cannot be--refuses to be--what others need, so she takes matters into her own hands and becomes who she needs to be in an act of self-preservation and rage that we can all admire.
blkwwwaffle's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
jkull_10's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism
j_ellie's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- 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
4.0