Scan barcode
standardchaos's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
This book made me want to fight every single man out there. I can completely understand why the 4B movement is going on in South Korea and mad props to South Korean women. One of the most infuriating books I've ever read, but I guess that's the point.
natashajean's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
4.5
luminous's review against another edition
4.0
This is weird because I thought I wrote this review days ago.
Good book if you're newer to feminism and women's issues and the problems they face. Also shines a light specifically on South Korea's equality growing pains as it seems to be lagging behind its economic peers in that realm.
This book will make you angry. It's a "wake up" book. I have rarely seen a book that talks about the hesitance towards pregnancy and birthing a child so starkly, in terms of how the thought of growing a future person inside you can bring squicky feelings and distaste at the thought of one's body being taken over in that way.
The way Jiyoung's thoughts and feelings are summarily dismissed, at every turn, by woman and man alike, at every stage of her life, is...distressingly familiar. For a woman, it is all so distressingly familiar.
The writing is dry, and the conceit doesn't excuse it, in my eyes. It may be an issue in translation, but I find all South Korean fiction to be dry and distant. I'm getting used to it, and maybe the works I've read all call for that dryness (e.g. The Hole is horror narrated by a jerk and Convenience Store Woman's protagonist is neurodivergent), but it's taking some getting used to. In this book, it puts up a wall between the reader and Jiyoung, and again, maybe there's brilliance in that. Maybe it's to force the reader to feel less empathetic towards her and realize they're being a bit like all the people in the story who impress their misogyny upon her.
I'm going to rate it 3 stars because, in spite of the dryness (and I wish the conceit was a framing device instead of a spoiler) the book is sticking with me. And I recommend it to anyone who is into modern Korean literature or feminist issues.
Good book if you're newer to feminism and women's issues and the problems they face. Also shines a light specifically on South Korea's equality growing pains as it seems to be lagging behind its economic peers in that realm.
This book will make you angry. It's a "wake up" book. I have rarely seen a book that talks about the hesitance towards pregnancy and birthing a child so starkly, in terms of how the thought of growing a future person inside you can bring squicky feelings and distaste at the thought of one's body being taken over in that way.
The way Jiyoung's thoughts and feelings are summarily dismissed, at every turn, by woman and man alike, at every stage of her life, is...distressingly familiar. For a woman, it is all so distressingly familiar.
The writing is dry, and the conceit doesn't excuse it, in my eyes. It may be an issue in translation, but I find all South Korean fiction to be dry and distant. I'm getting used to it, and maybe the works I've read all call for that dryness (e.g. The Hole is horror narrated by a jerk and Convenience Store Woman's protagonist is neurodivergent), but it's taking some getting used to. In this book, it puts up a wall between the reader and Jiyoung, and again, maybe there's brilliance in that. Maybe it's to force the reader to feel less empathetic towards her and realize they're being a bit like all the people in the story who impress their misogyny upon her.
I'm going to rate it 3 stars because, in spite of the dryness (and I wish the conceit was a framing device instead of a spoiler) the book is sticking with me. And I recommend it to anyone who is into modern Korean literature or feminist issues.
ccheng4's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Enraging, hit so close to home
koala982's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I really liked this book! it presents systemic societal inequities that women in Korea face through the life of one woman, Kim Jiyoung. really appreciated the inclusions of stats. sorta sad (but not entirely surprising) ending. liked the (half?) frame narrative reveal at the end .
patienta's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
4.25
frenchoctopus's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
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? No
3.0
durwathakur's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A very eye-opening book in this current climate of hidden misogyny and anti-feminism. A must-read not only for women but for everyone, to understand the trials and tribulations of an average woman in the world right now.
jojo_'s review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
drumsel's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25