munirajama's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
laleila's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
alexblackreads's review
3.0
I wanted to really love this book, but I struggled with what amounted to a singular aspect of the story: Shin's decision to make this novel universal. For most of this book, I thought I was confused and not understanding the political situation because this is a South Korean book written for a South Korean audience. When you write a book about the Great Depression for an American audience, you don't have to explain what it was or why it happened. Your audience already has the context. I thought it was similar in this book, that she didn't need to discuss in specifics what was happening in South Korea in the 80s because her audience would be well aware. I was prepared not to review it as a result.
However, then I got to the author's note in which she explained that avoiding details was an intentional choice because living in a dictatorship, violence against protesters, the political upheaval occurring during this book, wasn't just limited to South Korea. It's an international problem. Which I agree with, but I don't think the solution was to avoid any and all specific details about the political situation during this book. It left me feeling lost and confused.
This is a book that is very much informed by its setting. The characters are college students who protest, they're in the military, they know people who have gone missing, who have died, who have committed suicide. The book is about their lives as a result of the political situation, so not knowing anything about the political situation made it feel like there were large pieces missing. Necessary pieces. It's hard to connect with protesters when you don't have any idea what they're protesting. I didn't understand why people were going missing. I had no idea what the government was. The lack of information completely ruined my ability to enjoy the book.
As a result, the whole book felt lacking to me. The characters didn't seem whole, the setting was very specific to South Korea in the 80s, yet simultaneously vague, the motivations made no sense. I could try to review other aspects of the book, but I don't see much point because my entire experience hinged on this one point.
I understand her purpose in that decision, but in making this a universal story, she wrote a book no one could relate to. It got infinitely more interesting after the author's note where she gave an explanation of what SK in the 80s was like. I think if you have any prior knowledge of the setting, it's probably worth a read because you can fill in all the blanks yourself and appreciate the book. But if you're like me, I can't see it being very worthwhile.
I'm still planning to read more from Shin because there were points in the book where I really did care, points where I felt emotional. It just felt like there was a wall I couldn't get around, and I hope in another book that wouldn't be a problem.
However, then I got to the author's note in which she explained that avoiding details was an intentional choice because living in a dictatorship, violence against protesters, the political upheaval occurring during this book, wasn't just limited to South Korea. It's an international problem. Which I agree with, but I don't think the solution was to avoid any and all specific details about the political situation during this book. It left me feeling lost and confused.
This is a book that is very much informed by its setting. The characters are college students who protest, they're in the military, they know people who have gone missing, who have died, who have committed suicide. The book is about their lives as a result of the political situation, so not knowing anything about the political situation made it feel like there were large pieces missing. Necessary pieces. It's hard to connect with protesters when you don't have any idea what they're protesting. I didn't understand why people were going missing. I had no idea what the government was. The lack of information completely ruined my ability to enjoy the book.
As a result, the whole book felt lacking to me. The characters didn't seem whole, the setting was very specific to South Korea in the 80s, yet simultaneously vague, the motivations made no sense. I could try to review other aspects of the book, but I don't see much point because my entire experience hinged on this one point.
I understand her purpose in that decision, but in making this a universal story, she wrote a book no one could relate to. It got infinitely more interesting after the author's note where she gave an explanation of what SK in the 80s was like. I think if you have any prior knowledge of the setting, it's probably worth a read because you can fill in all the blanks yourself and appreciate the book. But if you're like me, I can't see it being very worthwhile.
I'm still planning to read more from Shin because there were points in the book where I really did care, points where I felt emotional. It just felt like there was a wall I couldn't get around, and I hope in another book that wouldn't be a problem.
sakichan's review
4.0
Book Lust
When Jung Yoon suddenly receives a phone call from her ex-boyfriend after eight years, she finds herself thrust back into her college years filled with conflict and loss. She recounts her mother's long illness, and the anger she felt when her mother pushed her out of the house to live with her cousin, claiming it was better for the young girl. This is the story of Yoon's childhood and how it connects with who she became in college, where she met two fascinating people who became her close friends, despite the darkness of their past. The entire story is set during South Korea's contentious student protests and government suppression of the 1980s.
I'll Be Right There is a beautiful book, even if it's heavy. There is a lot of heartbreak and loss, but there are lessons to be learned here. The book is inspiring and heartfelt, and I wish it had lasted longer than it did. Shin is a wonderful writer, with a style similar to Haruki Murakami in the sense that they both have great insight into human nature and are wonderful at describing the complex relationships between people. As far as I can tell, this is only the second book of hers to be translated into English, which is a shame. But I'll be sure to check out the other one, Please Look After Mom, which I hear is also heavy.
Verdict:
I'll Be Right There crosses cultural borders to speak to anyone willing to listen. While heavy, it's steeped in references to great literature and music, and overall is just very well put together. This is sure to be one of the best-known works of South Korean literature in translation.
When Jung Yoon suddenly receives a phone call from her ex-boyfriend after eight years, she finds herself thrust back into her college years filled with conflict and loss. She recounts her mother's long illness, and the anger she felt when her mother pushed her out of the house to live with her cousin, claiming it was better for the young girl. This is the story of Yoon's childhood and how it connects with who she became in college, where she met two fascinating people who became her close friends, despite the darkness of their past. The entire story is set during South Korea's contentious student protests and government suppression of the 1980s.
I'll Be Right There is a beautiful book, even if it's heavy. There is a lot of heartbreak and loss, but there are lessons to be learned here. The book is inspiring and heartfelt, and I wish it had lasted longer than it did. Shin is a wonderful writer, with a style similar to Haruki Murakami in the sense that they both have great insight into human nature and are wonderful at describing the complex relationships between people. As far as I can tell, this is only the second book of hers to be translated into English, which is a shame. But I'll be sure to check out the other one, Please Look After Mom, which I hear is also heavy.
Verdict:
I'll Be Right There crosses cultural borders to speak to anyone willing to listen. While heavy, it's steeped in references to great literature and music, and overall is just very well put together. This is sure to be one of the best-known works of South Korean literature in translation.
jackalop3's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
xoxo_ellie's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Thought it would be better but idk man. Was pretty confusing and wasn’t what I was expecting
siobhanchandler09's review
I didn’t like the violence of the demonstrations and the sense of the impending was laid on rather thick by the author - it didn’t arrive naturally but was constantly mentioned.
missbookster's review
3.0
"Set in 1980s South Korea amid the tremors of political revolution, I’ll Be Right There follows Jung Yoon, a highly literate, twenty-something woman, as she recounts her tragic personal history as well as those of her three intimate college friends. (...) she revisits the death of her beloved mother, the strong bond with her now-dying former college professor, the excitement of her first love, and the friendships forged out of a shared sense of isolation and grief."
I think the last sentence above really sums up what the book is about; ultimately it's about the struggles (and joys) of life, particularly of Jung Yoon and her friends. It's a story I could sympathize with and that brought me close to the characters' lives, whose backdrop is a noteworthy political setting. There are quite a few interpretations and meanings you can take from each scene of the book, as it chronicles plenty of somber stages of the characters' lives.
Overall, I'll Be Right There was an enjoyable and provocative read, if you fancy something along these lines I'd recommend checking it out!
I think the last sentence above really sums up what the book is about; ultimately it's about the struggles (and joys) of life, particularly of Jung Yoon and her friends. It's a story I could sympathize with and that brought me close to the characters' lives, whose backdrop is a noteworthy political setting. There are quite a few interpretations and meanings you can take from each scene of the book, as it chronicles plenty of somber stages of the characters' lives.
Overall, I'll Be Right There was an enjoyable and provocative read, if you fancy something along these lines I'd recommend checking it out!