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
aude's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Stalking and Abortion
miaaa_lenaaa's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-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
5.0
Really fucking good,
A perfect example of nonfiction being fictionalised
Short and punchy in the perfect amount
‘The world wants our uterus to be drug-free. Like sacred grounds in a virgin forest.'
A perfect example of nonfiction being fictionalised
Short and punchy in the perfect amount
‘The world wants our uterus to be drug-free. Like sacred grounds in a virgin forest.'
‘The girls stowed away repulsive, frightening experiences with males deep in their hearts without even realising it.’
‘The world had changed a great deal, but the little rules, contracts and customs had not, which meant the world hadn't actually changed at all.’
‘People who pop a painkiller at the smallest hint of a migraine, or who need anaesthetic cream to remove a mole, demand that women giving birth should gladly endure the pain, exhaustion and mortal fear.’
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Pregnancy, Grief, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, and Sexism
ienbdri's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Misogyny
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Abortion
potterpav's review against another edition
dark
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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
did not expect to like this book so much , simply bc i knew nothing abt it . although “like” probably isn’t the wrong word , maybe i mean appreciate . incredibly complex in its sadness as it’s relatable to probably every woman on earth , it isn’t a tearful sadness but an angry frustrating sadness that the world still moves like this . it was also very intriguing as i knew little abt korean life , and this book v clearly goes through the generational impacts of feminism and treatment of women in korea to the present day </3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Sexual harassment
Minor: Abortion
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
lunxchloe's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
She's Kim Jiyoung, she's me, she's you. While a fictional story, the experience of Jiyoung is very real. This book left me angry, shaking my head, defeated and sad. The ending was just the icing on the cake.
The writing and the story itself might not be captivating, but it's the way that any woman relates to Jiyoung's and her female peers' experiences that makes this a very moving story.
4.25*/5
The writing and the story itself might not be captivating, but it's the way that any woman relates to Jiyoung's and her female peers' experiences that makes this a very moving story.
4.25*/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Misogyny
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Miscarriage and Abortion
llsugarspicell's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
4.5
الرواية حلوة وتقهر
مواقف وأحداث مريرة نعيشها كل يوم فقط لمجرد أننا ولدنا نساء
توصف حالنا وحال كل سيدة في الكل بقعة في العالم
سيدات يتخلين عن أحلامهن حتى يحققن احلام اشخاص غيرهن وغالبًا ما يكونوا ذكور
سواء التخلي عن وظيفة، راتب، حياة اجتماعية، وحتى ابسط شي ممكن مثل مظلة فقط لمجرد أنه هو ذكر وهي انثى
٩.٥ من ١٠ لأن النهاية تقهر وإن كانت واقعية
مواقف وأحداث مريرة نعيشها كل يوم فقط لمجرد أننا ولدنا نساء
توصف حالنا وحال كل سيدة في الكل بقعة في العالم
سيدات يتخلين عن أحلامهن حتى يحققن احلام اشخاص غيرهن وغالبًا ما يكونوا ذكور
سواء التخلي عن وظيفة، راتب، حياة اجتماعية، وحتى ابسط شي ممكن مثل مظلة فقط لمجرد أنه هو ذكر وهي انثى
٩.٥ من ١٠ لأن النهاية تقهر وإن كانت واقعية
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Misogyny, Body shaming, Abortion, Alcohol, Bullying, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Miscarriage
elise_ngzy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Abortion and Sexual harassment
mooshake's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Misogyny, Pedophilia, and Sexual harassment