A review by serendipitysbooks
Moms by Yeong-shin Ma

emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 Moms is the intertwined stories of a group of Korean women in their 50s, told in graphic form. It was a sadly depressing read. This is not a group of women who are financially secure and living their best lives now their children are grown. Several work in a low paid job where they are treated with contempt by their bosses. One woman has an entitled adult son living at home, and all seem to be involved in relationships with men that are unsatisfactory for one reason or another. Sometimes they support and commiserate with each other; at other times they are judgy and back-stabbing. I’ve seen this referred to as a humorous book. I found it dark and sad, especially because it is based on accounts from the author’s mother and her friends. I admired the women’s ability to keep on keeping on, but they deserved so much better, especially when it came to the men they were settling for. I did appreciate that it focussed on older women and recognised them as multifaceted and sexual beings. While it is not a positive read it is an important depiction of the reality some women’s lives. I’m grateful it’s not my reality. 
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