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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: Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Sexual violence, and Stalking
Moderate: Medical trauma, Bullying, Body shaming, Mental illness, and Medical content
Minor: Abortion and Miscarriage
baronessnyx's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
the titular character kim jiyoung is meant to represent an average south korean as represented through the statistics that are sprinkled through the book to provide more societal context. i feel when you read her story, you're meant to pour yourself and empathize with her through what you feel. instead of getting an idea of jiyoung's internal feelings or emotions, i reacted more how other characters interacted with her. from her family, husband and even strangers and medical professionals.
its a book meant to elicit frustration that other people in jiyoung's life have been speaking over her and that even if she does speak, there is no one who can listen with a certain empathy. as a south asian person, there are cultural aspects such as the familial relationships that i connected with which left me with a deep pit of anger and resentment with how suffocating it was. it was like jinyoung was born just grow up and be worn down from a mountain to a pebble.
no one has the answers to solve gender inequality, but i feel this is a good narrative exposition to sketch out the gendered inequality built in south korean society.
its a book meant to elicit frustration that other people in jiyoung's life have been speaking over her and that even if she does speak, there is no one who can listen with a certain empathy. as a south asian person, there are cultural aspects such as the familial relationships that i connected with which left me with a deep pit of anger and resentment with how suffocating it was. it was like jinyoung was born just grow up and be worn down from a mountain to a pebble.
no one has the answers to solve gender inequality, but i feel this is a good narrative exposition to sketch out the gendered inequality built in south korean society.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Stalking, Mental illness, Misogyny, and Sexual harassment
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: Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, Body shaming, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, and Stalking
kaitlyncookies's review against another edition
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is a very important book and I would highly encourage people to read it as most popular feminist literature is usually focused on North American women. I deducted 1 star because I didn’t find the ending satisfying, but the rest of the book was excellent and eye opening.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion and Stalking
feeblebridges's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
Moderate: Stalking, Sexism, Misogyny, and Sexual harassment
julia_browns's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Stalking, Sexual harassment, and Sexism
clara_dalstein's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexism
Moderate: Abortion, Bullying, Miscarriage, Stalking, and Mental illness
veganecurrywurst's review against another edition
challenging
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? It's complicated
4.25
Ein wirklich wichtiges und informatives Buch, das Einblick in die stark patriachale und extrem konservative Gesellschaft Koreas gibt. Kein Wunder, dass das Buch so "kontrovers" ist. Kim Jiyoung repräsentiert das Schicksal vieler Frauen in und außerhalb Koreas.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Mental illness, Pregnancy, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Stalking
Minor: Abortion, Infertility, Pedophilia, and Grief
bindedtreewhore's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexism, and Stalking
monse's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Sexual assault