Reviews with content warning for Mental illness - I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki

I feel like this book is better suited to someone starting out on a journey of improving their mental health. As someone who's been in therapy for several years, I feel like I didn't get much out of it but that I would've if I was new to therapy.

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mennaayman's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

5.0

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janewa's review against another edition

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emotional informative fast-paced

2.5

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kartoffel_00's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

From an objectively lense this isn't really a masterpiece or anything. But what this book definitely is, is that it's honest and comforting.

Its vivid and repetitive just like the state of a mind dealing with depression and anxiety.

Just like the author mentions in one of the essays how they hate being told to cheer up and would rather someone listen to them and empathise, reading this book I felt that someone could empathise with my struggles too.

My only regret with the book is that I could have read it slower to take things in more properly but as I connected with the subject matter a lot that proved a struggle.

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sigreads_'s review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced

2.75

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seraphiina's review against another edition

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emotional reflective slow-paced

2.5

I am SO conflicted about this book.
First of all, I had great sympathy for Baek Se-hee. Having struggled with mild depression and anxiety most of my life, I could relate to a lot of her insecurities, and I know it's a huge step to be honest towards yourself; let alone the entire world! I resonated with her thoughts and I found myself thinking that I wish I could meet her and try to convince her that she was absolutely not a mean or bad person; just someone going through a rough time without the proper tools to deal with it.
Here is the big caveat: The format of the novel is a collection of transcripts betqeen Baek Se-Hee and her psychiatrist. Which is honestly interesting and refreshing.
But I found myself SO upset with the psychiatrist. At best, she gave banal advice that even most girlfriends or parents would be able to give. Well-meaning, but not necessarily grounded in any psychological theory. At worst, she seemed condescending and unprofessional, constantly reminding our poor author of how "extreme" she was in her thoughts without giving her proper tools to assess and change the way she was thinking. It was so frustrating to see such a clever and bright young woman be undermined with downright toxic advice such as "try to change your way of thinking 😊" - thanks, I am cured.
I feel the overall message of the novel is positive and I am happy that Baek Se-Hee found some growth and recovery in this subpar therapy and through this writing journey. But as a reader, I found myself wanting to rip my hair out.
I recommend this if you are experiencing similar issues and want to resonate with the fact that you are not alone and things will get better; but look further for actual helpful advice.

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