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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The ending gives me paise but interesting stories and characters
If I Had Your Face is a novel set in modern day South Korea, particularly Seoul, and touches upon several significant aspects of contemporary Korean culture. This includes the normalisation of cosmetic surgery, misogyny, unrealistic beauty standards, sexism, classism and the perils of motherhood. The chapters rotate between four primary characters:
1. Kyuri, a room salon girl (read: prostitute) whom most of the book revolves around
2. Miho, a dedicated artist now back in Korea after studying in New York
3. Ara, the mute hair dresser
4. Wonna, the pregnant lady who lives on the floor beneath them
It immediately became apparent that there was inequality in the development of characters, with characters such as Wonna adding very little to the overarching storyline. Perhaps by extracting Wonna and delving equally into the lives of the other three, this would have served as a much more satisfying read. The book ended very abruptly, I was surprised as the story seemed half-finished and we hadn’t even found out the consequences of the each characters plot twist. Ara‘s infatuation with a kpop idol certainly resonated with me... Been there, done that, got the T-shirt (and not by lurking around JYP headquarters I promise you).
On a positive note, the writing was detailed and easy to read, however some words were often unnecessarily repeated making the book a bit mundane. I enjoyed the peek into the nuances of Korean culture and just how much alike the various Asian cultures still are to this day; the unrealistic beauty standards, the evil mother-in-laws, and the blatant misogyny that still runs so rampant throughout the continent.
1. Kyuri, a room salon girl (read: prostitute) whom most of the book revolves around
2. Miho, a dedicated artist now back in Korea after studying in New York
3. Ara, the mute hair dresser
4. Wonna, the pregnant lady who lives on the floor beneath them
It immediately became apparent that there was inequality in the development of characters, with characters such as Wonna adding very little to the overarching storyline. Perhaps by extracting Wonna and delving equally into the lives of the other three, this would have served as a much more satisfying read. The book ended very abruptly, I was surprised as the story seemed half-finished and we hadn’t even found out the consequences of the each characters plot twist. Ara‘s infatuation with a kpop idol certainly resonated with me... Been there, done that, got the T-shirt (and not by lurking around JYP headquarters I promise you).
On a positive note, the writing was detailed and easy to read, however some words were often unnecessarily repeated making the book a bit mundane. I enjoyed the peek into the nuances of Korean culture and just how much alike the various Asian cultures still are to this day; the unrealistic beauty standards, the evil mother-in-laws, and the blatant misogyny that still runs so rampant throughout the continent.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
funny
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:
Yes
Such a slice of life book, things might not be resolved but you get a glimpse into the women’s of the office-tel’s lives during this time, and some flashbacks to see how they all ended up there together.
Solid peek into Korean modern culture and stylism.
Solid peek into Korean modern culture and stylism.
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.5 🌟 stars. This book weaves through the lives of 4 young women living in South Korea. It's pretty crazy stuff, but as a woman, it's relatable.
I will admit my knowledge of South Korea is limited. When I think of South Korea I immediately think high beauty standards. That is explained thoroughly thorough out the book. It's pretty much the theme. The beauty standards are rigorous and astronomical. In the U.S. plastic surgery is very common. In South Korea it's nearly a requirement for all women. The lengths these young women go to in order to achieve an unrealistic beauty standard is shocking. Many poor young women work as prostitutes and spend any money made on plastic surgeries and other beauty procedures. The most common according to the book is the thinning of the jaw [the recovery is unbelievable] and eye lid surgery.
The relatable part is the daily struggles of the lives of these un-wealthy young women. The sexism is rampant. The expectations from men are exhausting. The stigma of taking maternity leave. The disparate classism. The list goes on and on. As I'm reading I'm feeling deep sympathy because the women's struggles are awful and heart-breaking. Of course it's on a whole other level than what I have personally experienced, but still makes me angry that so many women have these experiences world wide.
I really enjoyed the stories and what the book was lacking was MORE. I wanted more details on so many aspects. So much was covered in a relatively short novel that you miss out on delving deep into so many important subjects. I also didn't like that the ending was so open ended. You have no closure as to what will happen to these characters, just speculation. I didn't need a rosy, happy, unrealistic ending, but something MORE would of been satisfying.
Overall I recommend because the life for women South Korea is subject matter that you don't usually get to read about. It will definitely envoke some strong emotions. I'm interested in reading more stories about this culture in the future.
I will admit my knowledge of South Korea is limited. When I think of South Korea I immediately think high beauty standards. That is explained thoroughly thorough out the book. It's pretty much the theme. The beauty standards are rigorous and astronomical. In the U.S. plastic surgery is very common. In South Korea it's nearly a requirement for all women. The lengths these young women go to in order to achieve an unrealistic beauty standard is shocking. Many poor young women work as prostitutes and spend any money made on plastic surgeries and other beauty procedures. The most common according to the book is the thinning of the jaw [the recovery is unbelievable] and eye lid surgery.
The relatable part is the daily struggles of the lives of these un-wealthy young women. The sexism is rampant. The expectations from men are exhausting. The stigma of taking maternity leave. The disparate classism. The list goes on and on. As I'm reading I'm feeling deep sympathy because the women's struggles are awful and heart-breaking. Of course it's on a whole other level than what I have personally experienced, but still makes me angry that so many women have these experiences world wide.
I really enjoyed the stories and what the book was lacking was MORE. I wanted more details on so many aspects. So much was covered in a relatively short novel that you miss out on delving deep into so many important subjects. I also didn't like that the ending was so open ended. You have no closure as to what will happen to these characters, just speculation. I didn't need a rosy, happy, unrealistic ending, but something MORE would of been satisfying.
Overall I recommend because the life for women South Korea is subject matter that you don't usually get to read about. It will definitely envoke some strong emotions. I'm interested in reading more stories about this culture in the future.
emotional
reflective
medium-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
what the hell is this laughing holding hands skipping off into the sunset credits roll ass ending
emotional
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:
Yes