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A review by crazytourists_books
Concerning My Daughter by Kim Hye-Jin
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I won't lie, this is a hard book to read. Not because it uses a hard to understand language. On the contrary, it is very simple and straightforward. It is hard to read (in some places unbearable) because the issues that it deals with and the way it deals with them are brutal; homophobia, patriarchy, solitude, ageism, dementia, domestic violence.
It is hard to like the protagonist, but it is also hard to dislike her; she grew up in a deeply patriarchal and homophobic society that turns a blind eye to the struggles of others. Is that an excuse? No, of course it isn't, but it is that much harder to hate someone who has love as their starting point. They disappoint you, thwy make you angry and frustrated, but you hope that they'll find the way to do the right thing and shake all this dead weight (of the patriarchy and self centered view of the world) of their shoulder. And be better. Do better.
The author doesn't take sides, and I enjoyed that. She lets her protagonist do the talking and grow through the hardships, and errors, and fears and become a better person, show compassion, acceptance, and maybe, understanding.
It is hard to like the protagonist, but it is also hard to dislike her; she grew up in a deeply patriarchal and homophobic society that turns a blind eye to the struggles of others. Is that an excuse? No, of course it isn't, but it is that much harder to hate someone who has love as their starting point. They disappoint you, thwy make you angry and frustrated, but you hope that they'll find the way to do the right thing and shake all this dead weight (of the patriarchy and self centered view of the world) of their shoulder. And be better. Do better.
The author doesn't take sides, and I enjoyed that. She lets her protagonist do the talking and grow through the hardships, and errors, and fears and become a better person, show compassion, acceptance, and maybe, understanding.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Dementia