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homebodynate's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Misogyny
Moderate: Abortion
miaaa_lenaaa's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
‘The world wants our uterus to be drug-free. Like sacred grounds in a virgin forest.'
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Body shaming, Medical content, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Sexism, and Sexual assault
inlaraland's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
This novel focuses heavily on the patriarchal structure of Korean society, and how misogyny is intertwined into the every day life of Kim Jiyoung. The writing style reads like a work of nonfiction, with the author even noting statistics to emphasize certain points being made within the work. At some point I felt like the tone of the book felt a little analytical and cold for a fictional story, but once I got to the end I realized that there was a reason for it.
Everyone should read this book, as it does an excellent job at highlighting just how problematic and harmful patriarchy and misogyny can be. Even though this book was quite specific in terms of experiences, I'm pretty sure most women can relate to what Kim Jiyoung goes through. I wasn't quite sure how I felt when I started reading this book, but by the end I understood its profound impact and actually fell in love with it.
I think this book does an excellent job at emphasizing a "problem", and how this problem can also transcend generations especially when people choose not to take it seriously.
I can see this novel earning a place as a literary classic in the future and if anything, I would consider this an important work of fiction, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in reading about it
Graphic: Misogyny
madam_cyn's review against another edition
Graphic: Sexism, Emotional abuse, and Misogyny
melina_30's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Amazing book that everyone should read.
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Misogyny
Moderate: Gaslighting and Mental illness
Minor: Alcohol and Pregnancy
isayruusaybi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny
Minor: Mental illness and Sexual harassment
koreanlinda's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I grew up in South Korea until my high school year. While reading this book, I finally realized that every minute of my childhood was filled with experiences of sexism and misogyny. Through counseling therapy, I have already realized that the physical punishment (along with verbal and psychological abuse) by my mother and teachers was indeed violence and child abuse. (It was so normalized that I thought it was acceptable for most of my life.) However, I did not realize until now that the oppression and abuse I experienced were much bigger than my small circle of personal relationships.
I am now living in the USA, where they have a considerable portion of sexism and misogyny. However, I deem that there is a better awareness around it here, compared to South Korea. The frustration I experienced in Korea (during my residence in childhood and my visits in adulthood) and what I read in the book largely originates from the normalization of sexism and misogyny. There are small pockets of feminist groups speaking up for women's rights, but they are brutally demonized by mainstream society. Fighting for women's rights quickly feels like screaming into a void, unheard and disregarded. Even people who seem to care fail to understand women's struggles. For example, Jung, TaeHyun, a loving and supportive husband of Kim, JiYoung still considers his domestic role as "helping" her housework." JiYoung's therapist empathizes with her struggles as well as his wife's, who had also lost her career due to childbirth and parenting. However, at the end of his self-reflection, he concludes that it'd be wiser to hire unmarried female employees at his doctor's office so he doesn't lose their workforce due to their family obligations.
My heart goes out to all Kim, JiYoungs of South Korea and to my younger self, who lived in deep confusion and hurt for a long time.
Review by Linda (Any Pronouns) in April 2024
Personal essays on DefinitelyNotOkay.com
Artwork on Instagram @KoreanLinda
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Violence
kaylurzz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexism, Mental illness, and Misogyny
Minor: Abortion
mardana's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
4.25
This is a book, that should predominantly be read by men. But I doubt, that many a man will pick it up.
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Sexism, and Pregnancy
Minor: Mental illness, Alcohol, Bullying, and Miscarriage
directorpurry's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Abortion, Misogyny, Sexism, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Vomit and Sexual assault