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laurareads87's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? No
4.5
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 lives up to the author's intentions to write a work that sparks conversation about Korean women's experiences with sexism and misogyny at home, in school, and at work. The book felt simultaneously very familiar and very infuriating -- I cannot say that I was surprised by the protagonist's experiences as many of them are not dissimilar to my own, yet finishing it I find myself affected nonetheless. The author captures misogyny in all of its everydayness: its manifestations in relationships between partners, strangers, colleagues, the excuses men make to dismiss its existence, and its reproduction by even those who consider themselves progressive. The incorporation of a few footnoted statistics (about gender and employment, wage gaps, etc. in Korea) is highly effective and, I think, is valuable context, particularly for non-Korean readers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual violence, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Mental illness, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Minor: Miscarriage and Abortion
minzzi's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Oh Girl! This book is small, but punches you right in the guts.
A excruciatinly realistic view of how it is to be a woman in a patriarchal society. And, even thought the story was set in South Korea, with is the other side is the world for me, so much of what happened to Jiyoung also happened to me. It's scary.
As someone who doesn't have/doesn't plan on having children, this book really made me think about the consequences of motherhood and appreciate the woman in my life who are mothers. Just to think about the sacrifices that my grandmothers and my mother had to make in this sexist world makes angry. Also loved the twist in the end. It's sad and infuriating, but realistic and it pulls the hole story together.
Kim Jiyoung is the perfect example of how most woman in their tirthies know how unfair and disgusting society is towards than, but fill pressured by generational trauma to just suck it up so they don't get left behind. Because they know that it doesn't matter what they do or what kinda of woman they choose to be, they are always going to be judged and scrutinized by everyone around than, including other woman. I just wished that the story also focused on other types of woman (queer, single mothers, self-proclaimed feminists, disabled, etc), since Jiyoung clearly represents a specific group of woman. But that is just my personal preference.
A excruciatinly realistic view of how it is to be a woman in a patriarchal society. And, even thought the story was set in South Korea, with is the other side is the world for me, so much of what happened to Jiyoung also happened to me. It's scary.
As someone who doesn't have/doesn't plan on having children, this book really made me think about the consequences of motherhood and appreciate the woman in my life who are mothers. Just to think about the sacrifices that my grandmothers and my mother had to make in this sexist world makes angry. Also loved the twist in the end. It's sad and infuriating, but realistic and it pulls the hole story together.
Kim Jiyoung is the perfect example of how most woman in their tirthies know how unfair and disgusting society is towards than, but fill pressured by generational trauma to just suck it up so they don't get left behind. Because they know that it doesn't matter what they do or what kinda of woman they choose to be, they are always going to be judged and scrutinized by everyone around than, including other woman. I just wished that the story also focused on other types of woman (queer, single mothers, self-proclaimed feminists, disabled, etc), since Jiyoung clearly represents a specific group of woman. But that is just my personal preference.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying, Mental illness, and Abortion
yourpervertedneighbor's review against another edition
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.0
3 / 5
"Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982" is a book that left me with mixed feelings. As a woman, it was definitely anxiety-inducing to read about the pressures of culture and society the main character faced. However, while the book is meant to read like a case study (which I found to be an innovative approach to storytelling) I felt that it was a bit "unfinished" in parts.
The book is about the life of Kim Jiyoung, a woman living in South Korea, and her experiences of sexism and discrimination. The story is told through a series of vignettes, which show the various stages of her life and the ways in which she was treated differently because of her gender.
While I appreciated the book's attempt to shed light on the issue of gender inequality, I felt that some parts of the book were lacking in detail and depth. There were times when I wanted more information about certain events or characters, but the book moved on too quickly.
Overall, "Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982" was an interesting read, but it fell short in some areas. I would rate it a 3 out of 5 stars. While the book does have its flaws, it raises important issues that are worth discussing. It's not an easy read, but it's one that I think is important for everyone, especially women, to read and reflect on.
"Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982" is a book that left me with mixed feelings. As a woman, it was definitely anxiety-inducing to read about the pressures of culture and society the main character faced. However, while the book is meant to read like a case study (which I found to be an innovative approach to storytelling) I felt that it was a bit "unfinished" in parts.
The book is about the life of Kim Jiyoung, a woman living in South Korea, and her experiences of sexism and discrimination. The story is told through a series of vignettes, which show the various stages of her life and the ways in which she was treated differently because of her gender.
While I appreciated the book's attempt to shed light on the issue of gender inequality, I felt that some parts of the book were lacking in detail and depth. There were times when I wanted more information about certain events or characters, but the book moved on too quickly.
Overall, "Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982" was an interesting read, but it fell short in some areas. I would rate it a 3 out of 5 stars. While the book does have its flaws, it raises important issues that are worth discussing. It's not an easy read, but it's one that I think is important for everyone, especially women, to read and reflect on.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, Stalking, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
flowingleaves's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Medical content, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying and Abortion
stoowaa's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I listened to this on spotify (german version) and it was amazing. I got so frustrated at times and felt for the women in this book. The ending made me so mad! I would also say this is a good book if you want to read about feminism and discuss some topics. Very informative without neglecting the story
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion
Moderate: Bullying and Alcohol
helielios's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Misogyny, and Sexual harassment
clara_dalstein's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Stalking, and Abortion
_fallinglight_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A distressing, clinically detached look into the life of a college graduate, professional, middle class Korean stay at home mom and how patriarchal and misogynistic Korean gender norms eat away at her mental health starting from infancy to motherhood despite the few gender and societal changes throughout the years, and there's no end to it to other women bc cis men refuse to listen and learn. Very eye opening and sad and no matter how you identity or where you're from you can relate to the anguish felt by Jiyoung when she's bullied by her boy classmate and her pain is dismissed bc according to the teacher “the boy likes her that's why he's mean” to when she's a teenager and creepily followed home by another student. That part really made my stomach clench bc I've been through that myself and it's one of the most terrifying experiences. Honestly at points while you read this book you feel like screaming.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Medical content, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
petudc's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
5.0
Este libro es excelente, aunque me dejó con ganas de romper algo, no sé, ¿el patriarcado?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
rhianonw's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Pregnancy
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Mental illness, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment