Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-joo

41 reviews

melina_30's review against another edition

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challenging informative reflective fast-paced
  • 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

Wow. I think it's brilliant that we learn at the end, that
this story is written by Jiyoung's therapist which explains the clinical and detached writing style. Also I'm in shok how the therapist didn't learn anything from the experiences of women in his life. Both his own wife and his patient Kim Jiyoung share their stuggle with mistreatment by men in their life and society in general but he doesn't seem to understand why they struggle which becomes clear with the description of an employee who had to quit her job at the clinic due to the same reasons his patients consult him. The last sentences of the book had me in shock: "Even the best female employees can cause many problems if they don't have the childcare issue taken care of. I'll have to make sure her replacement is unmarried." One last slap in the face... After everything he heard from his patients and his own wife this is his solution??

Amazing book that everyone should read.
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mardana's review against another edition

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dark informative reflective sad fast-paced
  • 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

Somehow hitting close to home, even though the Korean women apparently have it much harder. I know many of the more or less subtle comments and expectations directed towards women from first hand experience.

This is a book, that should predominantly be read by men. But I doubt, that many a man will pick it up. 
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bethancy's review against another edition

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

4.0

A social commentary through the biography of Kim Jiyoung. This book was informative and thought-provoking, and would make a great book club pick. Dark at times.
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meshuganush's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • 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

3.0

I found this book to be a really good depiction of the rampant and pervasive sexism in everyday life and actions that women have to put up with, deal with and make excuses for. It was really well done and as a compliment to the book and meant in the best possible way the word I can beat use for describing this book is demoralizing.

Possible spoiler:
The ending was absolutely heart wrenching and did and excellent job of amplifying the message of the book.
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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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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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annagerman's review against another edition

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

1.5

I get the point of this book - to describe the plights of an everyday women in modern Korea, in a way that is clinical and objective, without exessive drama or fanflair... But the detached style of writing made it difficult to connect with the story and the character. Only near the end did I start to feel invested. 
There were hints of an intresting premise made in the first chapter, without any pay-off. And the last chapter did pack a punch. But middle section was too mild and borderline boring.
If this book was any longer I would have probably not make it through. 
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lizzie_r's review against another edition

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

4.0

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cbh's review against another edition

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challenging emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Goosebumps. What an ending, although the statistics break immersion, it was a great addition and really educational. This is the story of every-woman, a story that will never be believed as it echoes through civilization. 
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llsugarspicell's review against another edition

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

4.5

الرواية حلوة وتقهر

مواقف وأحداث مريرة نعيشها كل يوم فقط لمجرد أننا ولدنا نساء  
‏توصف حالنا وحال كل سيدة في الكل بقعة في العالم

سيدات يتخلين عن أحلامهن حتى يحققن احلام اشخاص غيرهن وغالبًا ما يكونوا ذكور
سواء التخلي عن وظيفة، راتب، حياة اجتماعية، وحتى ابسط شي ممكن مثل مظلة فقط لمجرد أنه هو ذكر وهي انثى

‏٩.٥ من ١٠ لأن النهاية تقهر وإن كانت واقعية
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