manishasahota's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Sexual harassment, Mental illness, and Pregnancy
icarusandthesun's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
quick and effective.
kim jiyoung, born 1982 was informative, fiercely feminist and still managed to be greatly entertaining.
one learns quite a few things about korea and its past regarding misogynistic laws and the rather sexist society in general.
the book talks about kim jiyoung's (and also some of the other women in her life) experience as a woman—getting victim-blamed for sexual harassment, being expected to do most, if not all, domestic and parental chores, being expected to give up her career for the "greater good" (i.e. family), and being overlooked at the workplace, to name a few.
great execution on the social commentary—the overall critique wasn't subtle, but kim jiyoung's rage and descent into madness and depression was. adequate.
now, the fact the feminist commentary was so on the nose and the writing style a little choppy (perhaps à cause de translation) made kim jiyoung and her story seem a little caricaturistic, which isn't a bad thing inherently, but it took away some of the realism and relatability—at least for me.
but other than that, great read. can't wait to re-read and properly annotate it some day.
kim jiyoung, born 1982 was informative, fiercely feminist and still managed to be greatly entertaining.
one learns quite a few things about korea and its past regarding misogynistic laws and the rather sexist society in general.
the book talks about kim jiyoung's (and also some of the other women in her life) experience as a woman—getting victim-blamed for sexual harassment, being expected to do most, if not all, domestic and parental chores, being expected to give up her career for the "greater good" (i.e. family), and being overlooked at the workplace, to name a few.
great execution on the social commentary—the overall critique wasn't subtle, but kim jiyoung's rage and descent into madness and depression was. adequate.
now, the fact the feminist commentary was so on the nose and the writing style a little choppy (perhaps à cause de translation) made kim jiyoung and her story seem a little caricaturistic, which isn't a bad thing inherently, but it took away some of the realism and relatability—at least for me.
but other than that, great read. can't wait to re-read and properly annotate it some day.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Sexism, and Mental illness
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Abortion
ireadtoescape_'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
Stay woke, besties!! 😭😭😭🤧🤧🤧
What a mess patriarchy creates!! 💔💔
I’m so shook!!
Not one man here is worth any level of redemption.
Not even one!
The danger!! 💀
What a mess patriarchy creates!! 💔💔
I’m so shook!!
Not one man here is worth any level of redemption.
Not even one!
The danger!! 💀
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Sexual harassment
sangavisugumar's review against another edition
challenging
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual assault and Mental illness
isabezza's review against another edition
emotional
informative
5.0
I did not know what to expect from this book and I am really pleased I picked it up. This book was a very informative and emotional read about gender inequality in Korea from 1982 to the present day. About the life of a mother, Kim Jiyoung, experiencing "strange" representations of mental illness, this book is divided into the eras of her life where readers (particularly those from other cultural backgrounds, such as myself in England) learn the processes of life in Korea as a woman; life influenced by misogynistic laws and expectations. Not only was this book well-researched (with footnotes included in every chapter) and interesting, the language was moving and engaging. I believe it was an important structural choice to write this fictional story within the context of real Korean historical changes because it likely emulates with and represents the livelihoods of many Korean women today, which provided an additional emotional layer to the reading process. The twist in narrative POV in the final chapter was also illuminating, offering a more diverse range of perspectives on the same topic. I could not praise this book more, if you are debating reading it - read it!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Sexism
navayiota's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It's not often that a book strikes you. This book struck me, a perfectly worded criticism of society's attitude towards women. The author triggered emotions in me that were unpleasant and unwelcome, but that I have to analyse eventually, because the world will never let me forget them. I am appalled, yet again, by the actions of people who see others as toys to abuse and throw away once we are no longer of use. I got chills at the ending. This should be essential reading. I'll be visiting more of Cho Nam-Joo's bibliography in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Stalking, Sexism, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Bullying, Infertility, Alcohol, Medical content, and Mental illness
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
creamsoda8's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Mental illness, and Misogyny
Minor: Stalking
anananan's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
- A beautiful mix of fictional narration and factual information
- Beautiful pace and the reveal of the pov is the cherry on top
- Omg the fucking ending!!!! Not only did the male doctor relate his own wife to her psychotic patient, but he did not learn form it!!!!! WTFFFFFF IT MAKES MY BLOOD BOIL
- A recommend to anyone i know
- Understood why it was controversial, the hierarchy of gender in workplace, very sensitive topics for the very men-centered society: politics and capitalism
- Really appreciate the footnotes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual assault, Stalking, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, and Miscarriage
flisss's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual harassment, and Sexism
hannaemilia's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual harassment, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault and Mental illness
Minor: Miscarriage and Abortion