Reviews tagging 'Pregnancy'

Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-joo

159 reviews

kellyofcali's review against another edition

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

4.0

I quite liked this story, made even more powerful by the fact that I understand it sparked a bit of a movement about sexism in Korea. I did find the messaging a bit heavy-handed at times, but as the author had a goal it was easy to forgive, and it's a very clever way of showing, not telling, for the most part (a horrifying but effective way).
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soupsswagreads's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • 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

4.5

I never write reviews for books. I cannot often find the time even if I truly adore them. However this time is different.

I believe any woman who reads this  book will feel horrifyingly seen and undeniably uncomfortable.

It is a work of subliminal desire.
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isabezza's review against another edition

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emotional informative

5.0

I did not know what to expect from this book and I am really pleased I picked it up. This book was a very informative and emotional read about gender inequality in Korea from 1982 to the present day. About the life of a mother, Kim Jiyoung, experiencing "strange" representations of mental illness, this book is divided into the eras of her life where readers (particularly those from other cultural backgrounds, such as myself in England) learn the processes of life in Korea as a woman; life influenced by misogynistic laws and expectations. Not only was this book well-researched (with footnotes included in every chapter) and interesting, the language was moving and engaging. I believe it was an important structural choice to write this fictional story within the context of real Korean historical changes because it likely emulates with and represents the livelihoods of many Korean women today, which provided an additional emotional layer to the reading process. The twist in narrative POV in the final chapter was also illuminating, offering a more diverse range of perspectives on the same topic. I could not praise this book more, if you are debating reading it - read it!!
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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

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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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notthatcosta's review against another edition

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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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jtpgdavey's review against another edition

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informative reflective sad 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? No

5.0

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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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