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

i was sooooo close to giving this book a 2.5-2.75 but the back half reflections saved it and so i’m giving it a 3.25. i found the transcripts of the therapy sessions and the brief reflections afterwards to be dry. you obviously lose the nuance of body language and tone from a real conversation, and so at times she just came across as unlikable and repetitive, and i understand that’s partially why she went to therapy in the first place.

it was just fine, mostly eh but everything from the epilogue onward sparkled. NOW i can see why the book is so popular. she has such a way with words when she really gets deep into each transcript’s central thesis. even the note from her therapist was really great. so the back half balanced out the front half for me.

actually i’m demoting it to a 3 because of the bit of fatphobia in there

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sketchydelusion's review against another edition

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hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.25

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heatherjay94's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

3.5

The book follows the author's journey to improving their mental health through a series of reflective essays and transcripts of their therapy sessions, detailing their struggles with self-image, low self-esteem, and dependency issues, among other things.

I didn't expect to relate to this book as much as I did. It was saddening to see someone trying to find their way out of the bog of self-hatred. I see parts of myself in their thoughts, as well as fragments of my old self. I think if I'd found this book 2-3 years ago, I would have struggled a lot more to finish it.

I respect the courage it must have taken to write a book like this - to bare yourself in such a way that will no doubt invite contempt and derision from some people, even the ones who do relate to your struggles. The book was like a mirror for me in parts, and I have to admit I didn't like what I see.

But still, I'm glad I read it. I don't think I'll revisit it any time soon, but I don't regret picking it up. I wish the author all the best in their journey to healing, and I hope the book finds its way into the hands of those who need it. Sometimes we just need to know that we aren't alone in our pain and ugliness.

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