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sas_lk's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
Something kept bothering me about this book. I really liked Kim Young-Ha's "A Diary of a Murderer and Other Stories", so i decided to pick this one up.
What I liked so much about that short story collection, is that one could feel what deep understanding Kim has for humanity. His short stories were so well written and depicted humanity so well.
However, with this book, it's like he did not understand humans, especially women. I only understood what bothered me when I read someone else's 1 star review:
"I guessed that the author is male [...] I’m just so tired of reading about disturbed young women who for some reason are always nyphomans. [...]"
And that pretty much sums up what I felt. These women are just really deeply traumatised and suicidal, and for some reason male authors think this concept is fascinating. It's just a book about men projecting their simple understanding of life onto women who have lived horrible pasts and lives, and then being confused when the women stand up for themselves or call them assholes.
I'm tired of these tropes now.
What I liked so much about that short story collection, is that one could feel what deep understanding Kim has for humanity. His short stories were so well written and depicted humanity so well.
However, with this book, it's like he did not understand humans, especially women. I only understood what bothered me when I read someone else's 1 star review:
"I guessed that the author is male [...] I’m just so tired of reading about disturbed young women who for some reason are always nyphomans. [...]"
And that pretty much sums up what I felt. These women are just really deeply traumatised and suicidal, and for some reason male authors think this concept is fascinating. It's just a book about men projecting their simple understanding of life onto women who have lived horrible pasts and lives, and then being confused when the women stand up for themselves or call them assholes.
I'm tired of these tropes now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Suicide attempt
suhkrusai's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I guessed that the author is male from the first few pages and it does not always mean that the writing is bad but it was isufferable in this book. I’m just so tired of reading about distubed young women who for some reason are always nyphomans. Only finished it because it’s so short.
theeuphoriczat's review against another edition
3.0
I will be honest with you, I don't know what to rate this book. It is either a 1 star or 5 stars (Will settle on 3 stars). There is something so disgustingly enjoyable about this book. In a book that highlights suicide and death, it almost makes justifications and desirability of difficult situations.
.
As someone who to some extent have a good knowledge of Korean popular cultures such as their food, music and dramas. The suicide rate in Korea is one of the highest in the world, so it was not surprising to read this book from the point of view of someone who encourages people to die.
As he said, he does not kill them himself, he does not necessarily put the knife in their hands, he almost wants us to believe that he gave these people courage in the last days of their lives.
Two themes take precedence in Judith, Evian, Mimi; desire and absurd fulfillment. He writes about his experience with these people, where he met them, how he vetted their desire and he helped them achieve their aim. He believes that life is not worth living and that he is doing a service to the world and the people he has helped but yet he has not helped himself.
I quote "There are two kinds of people. Those who can kill and those who can't. The second kind is worse. - People who can't kill can't ever truly love". He is the worse kind of person, he cannot love, he has in his own way been a thief, stealing his victim's hopes and dreams.
This book does not necessarily encourage murder or suicide as people seem to think. It just draws out morbid desires, imprisoned deep in the unconscious.
.
As someone who to some extent have a good knowledge of Korean popular cultures such as their food, music and dramas. The suicide rate in Korea is one of the highest in the world, so it was not surprising to read this book from the point of view of someone who encourages people to die.
As he said, he does not kill them himself, he does not necessarily put the knife in their hands, he almost wants us to believe that he gave these people courage in the last days of their lives.
Two themes take precedence in Judith, Evian, Mimi; desire and absurd fulfillment. He writes about his experience with these people, where he met them, how he vetted their desire and he helped them achieve their aim. He believes that life is not worth living and that he is doing a service to the world and the people he has helped but yet he has not helped himself.
I quote "There are two kinds of people. Those who can kill and those who can't. The second kind is worse. - People who can't kill can't ever truly love". He is the worse kind of person, he cannot love, he has in his own way been a thief, stealing his victim's hopes and dreams.
This book does not necessarily encourage murder or suicide as people seem to think. It just draws out morbid desires, imprisoned deep in the unconscious.
balfa76's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
3.75
theseventhl's review against another edition
5.0
It's hard to put into words why Young-ha Kim's novel was so effective or so emotionally draining, but it was, and it was an excellent read all together. It has me very excited about his other English translated works.
lann_hua's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-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
3.0
brightgreenink's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
cryscries's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
_balexis's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5