Scan barcode
alyssatuininga's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-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? No
4.5
I picked up this book after hearing a piece about it on NPR. This best seller in Korea tracks one woman's life from birth to present day. It follows the systemic misogyny of everyday life as a female in Korea. From the first sentence to the last it is clear that no one gets it unless they live it. There are no particular mind shattering situations in the book, most happen, sometimes to a lesser extent, here in the US for most women. I think the biggest difference for me is there it is said out loud. Here we know what the situation is but it's mostly unspoken misogyny. You get a good sense of how much everything stacks and stacks and stacks to a point where it is too much to bear. The book is dry and clinical (eventually you understand why) and yet powerful and moving. Many credit this book as part of the start of the 4B movement in South Korea. I am glad that I read it and it will definitely be in my brain for a while.
"Jiyoung grew up being told to be cautious, to dress conservatively, to be “ladylike.” That it’s your job to avoid dangerous places, times of day and people. It’s your fault for not noticing and not avoiding."
"Jiyoung grew up being told to be cautious, to dress conservatively, to be “ladylike.” That it’s your job to avoid dangerous places, times of day and people. It’s your fault for not noticing and not avoiding."
allonsyalexa's review against another edition
4.0
(4.5)
This is a really quick read at less than 50,000 words, but boy does it pack a mean punch. It's heartbreaking how familiar Jiyoung's experiences were (some I personally experienced, others to other women I knew), especially so given that these situations are unfortunately still prevalent even in the 21st century :(
"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."
This is a really quick read at less than 50,000 words, but boy does it pack a mean punch. It's heartbreaking how familiar Jiyoung's experiences were (some I personally experienced, others to other women I knew), especially so given that these situations are unfortunately still prevalent even in the 21st century :(
yearningforus's review
this is such a powerful book.
at first i was confused by the book i'm not gonna lie. it was hard for me to understand but the more i read, the better i grasped the concept of the book. at times, i would get so angry because of the behavior of kim jinyoung's dad. for example, when she got off the bus and a classmate followed her and instead of consoling jinyoung, her dad accused her and blamed her outfit.
i loved that the author included footnotes because it helped us, the readers, remember that while the characters are fictitious, the data and situations are not. women are always treated horrible and will always get a lecture. "oh when are you going to get married" "oh what about kids" "are you going to stop working to raise your kids" it's frustrating !!! motherhood is not for every woman !!!!
also can we talk about how powerful this quote is
“Help out? What is it with you and ‘helping out?’ You’re going to ‘help out’ with chores. ‘Help out’ with raising our baby. ‘Help out’ with finding me a new job. Isn’t this your house, too? Your home? Your child? And if I work, don’t you spend my pay, too? Why do you keep saying ‘help out’ like you’re volunteering to pitch in on someone else’s work?”
i hate it when dad's are like "sure i'll help out and take care of the kids" there is no helping out. they are your kids as well.
anyways, as frustrating as this book may have been, i definitely recommend reading it especially if you are a man who thinks women have it easy.
at first i was confused by the book i'm not gonna lie. it was hard for me to understand but the more i read, the better i grasped the concept of the book. at times, i would get so angry because of the behavior of kim jinyoung's dad. for example, when she got off the bus and a classmate followed her and instead of consoling jinyoung, her dad accused her and blamed her outfit.
i loved that the author included footnotes because it helped us, the readers, remember that while the characters are fictitious, the data and situations are not. women are always treated horrible and will always get a lecture. "oh when are you going to get married" "oh what about kids" "are you going to stop working to raise your kids" it's frustrating !!! motherhood is not for every woman !!!!
also can we talk about how powerful this quote is
“Help out? What is it with you and ‘helping out?’ You’re going to ‘help out’ with chores. ‘Help out’ with raising our baby. ‘Help out’ with finding me a new job. Isn’t this your house, too? Your home? Your child? And if I work, don’t you spend my pay, too? Why do you keep saying ‘help out’ like you’re volunteering to pitch in on someone else’s work?”
i hate it when dad's are like "sure i'll help out and take care of the kids" there is no helping out. they are your kids as well.
anyways, as frustrating as this book may have been, i definitely recommend reading it especially if you are a man who thinks women have it easy.
bellbookcandle's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Succinct account of the sexist gauntlet that the everywoman in modern Korea faces.
yere's review against another edition
4.0
AAAA, LO AMO. ME SENTÍA SUPER IDENTIFICADA EN CADA PARTE DEL LIBRO Y LLORÉ EN ALGUNAS. EL FINAL ME DEJÓ HELADA
deerielion's review against another edition
4.0
The story of Kim Jiyoung is so relatable it hurts.
That glass ceiling. That inequality of gender responsibilities. Those expectations and obligations of a life as a woman. An Asian woman at that.
That glass ceiling. That inequality of gender responsibilities. Those expectations and obligations of a life as a woman. An Asian woman at that.
deutschemausi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This book has a lot of issues but I completely understand how it started such a large movement in Korea.
I believe that a lot of the issues have to do with the translation. There’s a lot of translation issues, however this topic is just really hard to read.
It’s such a short story but due to the anger it sparked in me it took me forever to finish.
I wouldn’t say it’s the best written book, best translated book, best story, but it sparked a movement to help women in a country where women are little more than cattle. And for that it’s important.
I believe that a lot of the issues have to do with the translation. There’s a lot of translation issues, however this topic is just really hard to read.
It’s such a short story but due to the anger it sparked in me it took me forever to finish.
I wouldn’t say it’s the best written book, best translated book, best story, but it sparked a movement to help women in a country where women are little more than cattle. And for that it’s important.
katiebonnyman's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
bthadifields's review against another edition
4.0
Un libro amargo sobre la experiencia de ser mujer en Corea del Sur, es tan real que duele, da coraje las situaciones. en una sociedad medio conservadora el feminismo es algo polémico, ya que tenemos la idea radical de que las mujeres también somos personas y no merecemos menos que un hombre, esto sigue abierto a debate como podrás comprobar en el día a día.
un libro duro y seco, con un final impactante, lo recomiendo 100%.
un libro duro y seco, con un final impactante, lo recomiendo 100%.