Reviews with content warning for Pregnancy - Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982

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.

Content Warnings

cleotheo's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

Content Warnings

miaaa_lenaaa's review against another edition

Go to review page

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.'

‘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

white_dragon_tea's review against another edition

Go to review page

informative 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? No

3.0

Content Warnings

chloe_hazel's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging informative reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
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

kellyofcali's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I quite liked this story, made even more powerful by the fact that I understand it sparked a bit of a movement about sexism in Korea. I did find the messaging a bit heavy-handed at times, but as the author had a goal it was easy to forgive, and it's a very clever way of showing, not telling, for the most part (a horrifying but effective way).

Content Warnings

soupsswagreads's review

Go to review page

challenging emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-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? It's complicated

4.5

I never write reviews for books. I cannot often find the time even if I truly adore them. However this time is different.

I believe any woman who reads this book will feel horrifyingly seen and undeniably uncomfortable.

It is a work of subliminal desire.

Content Warnings

isabezza's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

More...