Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-joo

41 reviews

suereadsslow's review against another edition

informative reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Mental illness, Gaslighting, and Misogyny

notthatcosta's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Stalking, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Misogyny

keilleash's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Bullying, Sexual harassment, Gaslighting, and Sexual assault

stardustdreamer's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Sexism, Abortion, Gaslighting, Forced institutionalization, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, and Ableism

tatjanasbooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Medical trauma, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Minor: Miscarriage

veelaughtland's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting

Moderate: Sexual harassment and Pregnancy

ninahuynh's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

The twist at the end bringing us back to the first chapter. As a woman, the intense misogyny Kim Jiyoung faces is all too familiar- and angering. Cho Nam-Joo really did well in placing the reader in Kim's shoes without a even using the first-person. A must read!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Bullying

isabellavitting's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Medical trauma, Mental illness, Classism, Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Panic attacks/disorders

rachelizx's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting

Minor: Miscarriage

unoriginalinspiration's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

This beautiful, painfully relatable book talks about the unaddressed, "insignificant" dismissed ways in which a woman is discriminated against her whole life. While pertaining to most Asian countries, the author specifically addresses this concern with respect to Korea, and the way things are dealt with and handled there. This fictional story, focusing on not-so-fictional problems is a must read. The poetic, unrestrained rage one feels while reading this is proof of how good the writing is, and makes you think about all the injustices we let slide away. Down to the smallest fact of not having received what your male sibling receives without having to ask, Working hard to achieve goals men have been able to reach easily, and then being reprimanded for it subtly. About how familial relationships and societal standards tie down someone with a lot of potential, taking away their right to chose. About marriage, and motherhood. Kim Jiyoung represents a Korean everywoman, and I'm sure, a small part of each one of us. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Murder, Alcohol, Misogyny, and Pregnancy