Scan barcode
sydapel's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Probably the most interesting book I read so far this month, particularly in the unique characterization of the five women who make up the novel. It's another book that offers a stark and often startling depiction of female friendship, this time through the lens of Korean culture. To me, the dialogue is where the book shines the most, how the conversations between the women exemplify the harsh, but also soft ways in which they care for one another. Where it loses me a bit is in the number of competing voices and a long wind up to a rushed finale. I would have ultimately liked to stay a bit longer in this world, even just to experience a bit of a cathartic end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Pregnancy, and Infertility
Minor: Suicide
jrisants's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I started this book having been warned that “it is not happy.” Overall I am struck by the scrappiness, confusion, and community that are born out of struggle. Even though on the whole the book is not happy, as it ended I could not help but reflect on how grateful I am for the ways that women will show up for each other, care for each other, and blend their lives together when the rest of the world fails them.
There is no true conflict or resolution in the book and it reads as vignettes from the lives of five women in South Korea, all of them with unfortunate childhoods. Their experiences can serve as cautionary tales for the ills born of sexism and classism, and the characters themselves sway between upholding these ideals, criticizing them, and suffering from them.
In one of the stories Miho is in New York navigating a world full of new cultural norms and surrounded by acquaintances who have already lived abroad and come from rich families. At a party she compliments the pink walls which were decorated by a Portuguese designer, and the compliment is brushed off and treated as against custom to speak about. Later Papa John’s is ordered for the guests and everyone responds excitedly to the food. Miho reflects to herself that she is learning you cannot compliment beautiful decor, but you can make a fuss over takeout food and that these are the things she is still trying to learn and navigate.
Miho also later discussed her experiences with other artists and how she assumes coming from a wealthy family means that you must be happy—but when she looks on the art of the wealthy students she sees deep despair, almost indicating that their suffering has been worse than hers.
At various points in the book there are deep comparisons between men’s experience compared to women, and the wealthy compared to those in poverty. Wrapped in these comparisons are the changed expectations and challenges of the young generation. We see this when Ara finally meets Tain and her idol is cruel abs ruins her perception of him. This plays out again with Kyuri and Bruce who is so nice to her at AJax and then violent when he sees her in his world. Wonna with her aunt and uncle, and even her husband who all have lives that she cannot touch and she seems to both idolize and resent them for it. Soogin is the only one who seems completely removed from these comparisons, seemingly having had a live that never invited her to mingle with those systemically better off than her. She also seems to be the force that knits these women together. She protects and sees power in each of the women, and she creates scenarios for them to pursue it. It is almost as if full acceptance of her position is what enables her to joyfully expect better and rebel against it.
There is no true conflict or resolution in the book and it reads as vignettes from the lives of five women in South Korea, all of them with unfortunate childhoods. Their experiences can serve as cautionary tales for the ills born of sexism and classism, and the characters themselves sway between upholding these ideals, criticizing them, and suffering from them.
In one of the stories Miho is in New York navigating a world full of new cultural norms and surrounded by acquaintances who have already lived abroad and come from rich families. At a party she compliments the pink walls which were decorated by a Portuguese designer, and the compliment is brushed off and treated as against custom to speak about. Later Papa John’s is ordered for the guests and everyone responds excitedly to the food. Miho reflects to herself that she is learning you cannot compliment beautiful decor, but you can make a fuss over takeout food and that these are the things she is still trying to learn and navigate.
Miho also later discussed her experiences with other artists and how she assumes coming from a wealthy family means that you must be happy—but when she looks on the art of the wealthy students she sees deep despair, almost indicating that their suffering has been worse than hers.
At various points in the book there are deep comparisons between men’s experience compared to women, and the wealthy compared to those in poverty. Wrapped in these comparisons are the changed expectations and challenges of the young generation. We see this when Ara finally meets Tain and her idol is cruel abs ruins her perception of him. This plays out again with Kyuri and Bruce who is so nice to her at AJax and then violent when he sees her in his world. Wonna with her aunt and uncle, and even her husband who all have lives that she cannot touch and she seems to both idolize and resent them for it. Soogin is the only one who seems completely removed from these comparisons, seemingly having had a live that never invited her to mingle with those systemically better off than her. She also seems to be the force that knits these women together. She protects and sees power in each of the women, and she creates scenarios for them to pursue it. It is almost as if full acceptance of her position is what enables her to joyfully expect better and rebel against it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Abandonment, Ableism, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Rape, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, and Sexual harassment
adriaxlife's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment, Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Death, Violence, Bullying, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Physical abuse, and Child abuse
parton4proletariat's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really liked this book! It was hard to remember who was who sometimes since its a large ensemble, but the characters were unique and had distinct voices. I particularly liked Ara and Miho, and I liked how complex Kyuri was.
my biggest critique of multi-perspective books is that it tends to make it difficult to connect with the characters. I did not have that issue with this book. I found myself caring about all of them.
my biggest critique of multi-perspective books is that it tends to make it difficult to connect with the characters. I did not have that issue with this book. I found myself caring about all of them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Suicide, Alcohol, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Classism, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Miscarriage
mschwa1118's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
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
4.25
If I Had Your Face was a lovely novel written from multiple perspectives of a few interconnected South Korean twenty-something women. It had strong themes regarding beauty standards, treatment of women, and family issues, among other, that taught me quite a lot. Each character was so different, but they all complemented each other so poetically in the grand scheme. My only wish is that it was a little longer! I look forward to Frances Cha releasing her next novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Violence
johannasteina's review
dark
emotional
informative
tense
fast-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
4.5
Eina sem hefði komið þessari bók upp í 5 er ef ég hefði fengið meira. Hefði alveg verið til í að hún væri lengri og að við hefðum fengið að heyra meira af persónunum - en fannst flott hvernig hún fór ekki í of mikil smáatriði þegar kom að fortíðinni.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Body shaming, and Physical abuse
pvid's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Suicide, Sexism, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Fatphobia, Classism, Abandonment, Physical abuse, Medical content, and Domestic abuse
nondelicate's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Physical abuse, Abandonment, and Sexual content
nahochacon's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Una hermosa reflexión sobre la experiencia femenina en distintas instancias de la vida. Los personajes son tan complejos y entretenidos que no puedes dejar de leer sobre ellos, me encantó el saber más sobre Corea y su cultura. Historias tan tristes como inspiradoras, aunque no hay una historia como tal, lo que tienen que contar cada una de las chicas sobre ser es un espacio que no las recibe bien llena mis expectativas. Creo que no me le puse 5 estrellas porque no conecté con ninguna. Pero increíble creación y formación de personajes, así como de sus diálogos internos.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Body shaming, Classism, Physical abuse, Misogyny, and Sexism
littlewishling's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
3.5
Cha has created four young woman who feel extremely real in their struggles to survive. Each of their stories is full of emotion and a wonderful insight into a part of the world I know very little about.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Miscarriage