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stephsz's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Minor: Miscarriage
tenten's review against another edition
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
this was an incredibly interesting portrayal of institutional and cultural sexism in South Korea. it honestly astonished me — i'm no stranger to things like the gender-pay gap, sexual harrassment, etc, and by no means do i think issues of institutional sexism are exclusive to SK, but, like, DAMN.
i liked that Jiyoung had a distinct personality, even though this book very much felt like a tool for the author to comment on sexism in her country rather than a story with a social message thrown in. no harm in that but there was nothing in the story outside of the sexism Jiyoung experienced. did she love her daughter despite the immense social pressures and personal sacrifices she had to make in order to bring her into the world? did she have resentment for her brother in adulthood? her husband? her father? she didn't exist outside of the sexism and misogyny she experienced.
overall, i enjoyed the book! i wish more came out of the thinking she was other people thing, or that it was removed altogether, but i was a quick, thought-provoking read that made me curious to seek out more narratives from millennial Korean women.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Minor: Miscarriage
emptychurches's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Minor: Fatphobia, Infertility, Medical content, Mental illness, and Miscarriage
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