Reviews tagging 'Stalking'

Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-joo

64 reviews

cami_chai's review against another edition

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

4.75

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crybabybea's review against another edition

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challenging informative reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

My first time reading literary fiction, and my first time reading a translated work. I picked this up after reading Flowers of Fire and learning that it was one of the first novels published in South Korea written by a woman, about a woman, critiquing patriarchal society. 

Following Kim Jiyoung's story was heartbreaking, and made even more emotional with the understanding that her fictional experience was common, if not milder, than what most women in South Korea experience. The misogyny she faces starts early and gets worse as she ages, and as a reader, all you can do is watch as it compounds upon her and drives her to madness. 

I liked how this was written, with an interesting narrator whose identity is only revealed at the end, and for my first piece of literary fiction, I'm really satisfied that I chose this, and it's sparked for me an interest in literary fiction and translated works.
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elnr00's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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scifi_rat's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative reflective sad fast-paced

4.75

Plot: 4.5★
Prose: 4.5★
Pace: 5★
Concept/Execution: 5★/5★
Characters: 4.75★
Worldbuilding: 4.75★
Ending: 5★
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aude's review against another edition

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

4.5

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cleotheo's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

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navayiota's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

It's not often that a book strikes you. This book struck me, a perfectly worded criticism of society's attitude towards women. The author triggered emotions in me that were unpleasant and unwelcome, but that I have to analyse eventually, because the world will never let me forget them. I am appalled, yet again, by the actions of people who see others as toys to abuse and throw away once we are no longer of use. I got chills at the ending. This should be essential reading. I'll be visiting more of Cho Nam-Joo's bibliography in the future. 
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creamsoda8's review against another edition

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reflective medium-paced
  • 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

3.75

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anananan's review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective medium-paced
  • 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

  1. A beautiful mix of fictional narration and factual information 
  2. Beautiful pace and the reveal of the pov is the cherry on top 
  3. Omg the fucking ending!!!! Not only did the male doctor relate his own wife to her psychotic patient, but he did not learn form it!!!!! WTFFFFFF IT MAKES MY BLOOD BOIL 
  4. A recommend to anyone i know 
  5. Understood why it was controversial, the hierarchy of gender in workplace, very sensitive topics for the very men-centered society: politics and capitalism 
  6. Really appreciate the footnotes 


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notthatcosta's review against another edition

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

3.75

A visceral insight into the life of a 'normal' woman living a 'normal life' in South Korea, and how gendered experiences of inequity and neglect can chip away at a persons' psyche. There is so much care put into crafting the mundanity that masks the horrors of the story.   

As a queer man who doesn't want children, it was humbling to read about the toll just living and existing in 'regular' society can take, even in a different geographical context.

So much about South Korea is romanticised through a Western lens, so it was interesting to read this perspective, even if it doesn't necessarily speak for everyone (obviously).
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