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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
medium-paced
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
men ain't shit: the book.
the themes of SK's obsession with outer beauty, and the misogynistic rot it so often intertwines with, are familiar to me, yet I thought the book approached them with a surprisingly humanistic touch, so that it didn't feel hopeless at the end—even the brutal parts of each woman's story felt surmountable. Kyuri and Miho were such interesting foils to each other, and their POVs were fascinating. the book could have been longer, but it's not that I thought their stories could have extended past the gently optimistic ending, but rather I wanted more of the in-between. how did each woman take their past trauma and shape it into the people they currently were, the way they approached the futility of modern womanhood in a country that expects so much and gives back so little.
the themes of SK's obsession with outer beauty, and the misogynistic rot it so often intertwines with, are familiar to me, yet I thought the book approached them with a surprisingly humanistic touch, so that it didn't feel hopeless at the end—even the brutal parts of each woman's story felt surmountable. Kyuri and Miho were such interesting foils to each other, and their POVs were fascinating. the book could have been longer, but it's not that I thought their stories could have extended past the gently optimistic ending, but rather I wanted more of the in-between. how did each woman take their past trauma and shape it into the people they currently were, the way they approached the futility of modern womanhood in a country that expects so much and gives back so little.
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Alcohol
Moderate: Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicide
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I was engaged from the start and couldn't put it down. The worlds of these four women were totally engrossing. It is a sequence of events in the lives of four women in Korea. Three are friends and the fourth is a neighbor, but a welcome third perspe tive on the community. I was riveted by their stories of living the low income life, sex work, plastic surgery, kpop idols, and class in South Korea. Their daily and life troubles were both mundane and dramatic, my favorite kind.
Nothing much happens, in that they don't really set out to achieve goals.As a course of events, they generally end up with some sort of career or relationship advancement or change. I liked it that way.
I was horrified by the obsession with plastic surgery, and I fell in love with the characters. I didn't like the actions they took, but they were friends, living their lives, and dealing with what the world throws at them.
Ara is a hair dresser who lost her voice as a child. She is the most set and satisfied because she set such low expectations for herself. She eventually meets her celeb idol and moves on to other fandoms. She also has a nice discussion with the local man who believes in her and it is sweet.
Kyuri is jaded, working in the salon rooms.She wants love but also doesn't trust men. She eventually seems to get a job or at least opportunity out of the sex work realm. Even though she seems disdainful she cares a lot about others. I can't remember how she got in the friend group.
Wonna grew up with a violent grandmother. Not my favorite character. I actually skimmed some of her chapters and didn't mind that she had fewer chapters.She's the weirdest in my opinion and possibly a bit unhinged. She marries a man just because he has no living mother. She wants only a daughter, hoping I guess to do a better job. The other women somehow make friends with her?? I dunno. She was the strangest character, but it was nice to have a very different voice that seemed a bit older and distinct. She was not part of the friend group.
Miho was my favorite, the artist.It was such a delight when she switches to revenge. She seems so naive the whole time, but really she was just being a good person. I loved the scene with Sujin explaining to Kyuri that Miho is a Loring girl and will make things work for herself. Then she starts look out for #1
Nothing much happens, in that they don't really set out to achieve goals.
I was horrified by the obsession with plastic surgery, and I fell in love with the characters. I didn't like the actions they took, but they were friends, living their lives, and dealing with what the world throws at them.
Ara is a hair dresser who lost her voice as a child.
Kyuri is jaded, working in the salon rooms.
Wonna grew up with a violent grandmother. Not my favorite character. I actually skimmed some of her chapters and didn't mind that she had fewer chapters.
Miho was my favorite, the artist.
If I Had Your Face - Frances Cha - 4 Stars
I didn't know what to expect to be honest. I've read the blurb and it honestly intrigued me because I am interested in korean culture and already consume things like korean tv shows.
Well, the cover sucked me in and thats why I wanted this book in the first place though!
I am fully aware of the beauty standards which are present in korea, so I thought it could be really interesting to see all of that translated in a book too.
The beginning was rather slow for me.
We get four perspectives and I had a hard time to get warm to these characters in the first respective chapters of each character. As time went on, I've found myself enjoying the story more because some things actually shocked me, because I did not expect them.
I didn't know what to expect to be honest. I've read the blurb and it honestly intrigued me because I am interested in korean culture and already consume things like korean tv shows.
Well, the cover sucked me in and thats why I wanted this book in the first place though!
I am fully aware of the beauty standards which are present in korea, so I thought it could be really interesting to see all of that translated in a book too.
The beginning was rather slow for me.
We get four perspectives and I had a hard time to get warm to these characters in the first respective chapters of each character. As time went on, I've found myself enjoying the story more because some things actually shocked me, because I did not expect them.
''and I will be reminded of how far I have come, instead of what I cannot reach'' (p.151)
My experience with the reading flow was kind of weird, sometimes I had a hard time reading, sometimes it went swiftly. At some point I got confused of whats actually happening and felt like it was too much and not enough at all actually.
Sometimes I really enjoed that book, sometimes it was kind of dragging for me.
Towards the end I had more fun again, because the characters are somtimes kind of.. unhinged and it made me excited for what's to come.
I love how the characters watch out for each other and the last chapter (no spoilers, don't worry!) somehow warmed my heart and made me ache for more.
If there would be a follow up novel, I would definitely read it.
''I understand what it would be like to think only about tomorrorw, instead of just today'' (p.267)
All in all, I liked the characters and somehow all four characters managed to sneak up to me and I've found myself rooting for them.
Right now, it doesn't have much rereading value to me but I would read a follow up to this story for sure! As well as other works by this author.
Reread Value 1/5
3.75 ☆ (tied between 4 and 3.75 stars) — “if i had you face” it's a short book that i initially thought would be a very good read, something that'd help me stop romanticising south korea (because let's be honest: sk may be beautiful in kdramas and stuff but it still has a very long way to go before it reaches gender equality and acceptance).
i was wrong??? not entirely, but i understimated it for sure.
first of all, i'm not a very big fan of morally grey characters, and stories about criticism and crude reality are not my cup of tea BUT everytime i discover a new book about these topics i say to myself “this time will be different don't worry!” and i start reading it (usually regretting it).
i must say this time was indeed different.
yes, i had unpleasant goosebumps i a lot of parts. i felt so much hate, so much anger, so much EVERYTHING when i read about the conditions those women had to live in that i truly was exhausted when i finished every chapter. i even thought about dropping this at some point. it was all too uncomfortable.
but then girls started to bond, the chapters were so catchy and i wanted to see what'd happen at the end.
i'm glad i stayed and finished this because i truly liked it. it felt like a true catharsis.
the bad part? it was all so short :( i'm disappointed i didn't get more infos about them, about other women. i needed more wonna, i needed more miho, my precious baby, i adored her so much yet i didn't even got to know how her revenge turned out
i was wrong??? not entirely, but i understimated it for sure.
first of all, i'm not a very big fan of morally grey characters, and stories about criticism and crude reality are not my cup of tea BUT everytime i discover a new book about these topics i say to myself “this time will be different don't worry!” and i start reading it (usually regretting it).
i must say this time was indeed different.
yes, i had unpleasant goosebumps i a lot of parts. i felt so much hate, so much anger, so much EVERYTHING when i read about the conditions those women had to live in that i truly was exhausted when i finished every chapter. i even thought about dropping this at some point. it was all too uncomfortable.
but then girls started to bond, the chapters were so catchy and i wanted to see what'd happen at the end.
i'm glad i stayed and finished this because i truly liked it. it felt like a true catharsis.
the bad part? it was all so short :( i'm disappointed i didn't get more infos about them, about other women. i needed more wonna, i needed more miho, my precious baby, i adored her so much yet i didn't even got to know how her revenge turned out
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book had pretty much no plot or character arcs. However, I still enjoyed my reading experience. The characters were all very complex and well fleshed out, but they didn't really have any development throughout the story. I enjoyed the commentary on plastic surgery and beauty.