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vildanda's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I listened to the audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed it. The exploration of womens lives in South Korea and the different challenges they face was insightful and lead me down a rabbit hole wanting to find out more. I enjoyed how each perspective was read by a different narrator, it really helped to capture the characters emotions and perspectives. It was a little confusing to begin with however it eventually becomes clearer.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Child abuse
Minor: Rape, Miscarriage, and Suicide
nightowl22's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Hate crime, Rape, and Misogyny
Minor: Miscarriage
arieslofi's review
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Eating disorder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Addiction
Moderate: Vomit, Violence, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Infidelity, and Infertility
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Sexual content, and Suicide
jrisants's review
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
potatokao's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-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
3.5
an intimate look into each of the women’s lives ranging in their 20s, living in seoul. the way it was written with perspective changes shows their raw and honest thoughts about their individual struggles and responses to their environment. things you wouldnt want to say out loud. it makes the characters more whole, neither good nor bad, a product of their upbringing. heavy themes of friendship, family, in laws, women in society.
at first i felt like the pace and setting the author set made it so that the girls were only suffering and not able to enjoy anything in life and it made me sad to get into the book. maybe halfway when the plot seems to progress a little more, the characters become more active and living.
the connections between all the girls is what makes the book. i love how intertwined they are. they judge each other, they love each other, they get annoyed, they care, they go through life together. not the best of friends, but clearly helped by each other’s company. not family, but all they have for some of them. people who are important to them and people they can be honest with.
i only wish i didnt have to wait half way into the book to see that and there are some parts of their past that are never fully explained. but i understand it’s hard to develop individual characters AND their relationship with one another. once all the characters and their backgrounds are in place, it is well worth it to get to know them.
the ending of the book is what makes it for me. this gradual warmth and hope, like spring air has blown in. it could have ended in any way but this warm ending is what makes me feel that their connection is so full of love and care. life isnt going to suddenly be better but i hope they stay together and work through life together. sending hugs to the girls.
at first i felt like the pace and setting the author set made it so that the girls were only suffering and not able to enjoy anything in life and it made me sad to get into the book. maybe halfway when the plot seems to progress a little more, the characters become more active and living.
the connections between all the girls is what makes the book. i love how intertwined they are. they judge each other, they love each other, they get annoyed, they care, they go through life together. not the best of friends, but clearly helped by each other’s company. not family, but all they have for some of them. people who are important to them and people they can be honest with.
i only wish i didnt have to wait half way into the book to see that and there are some parts of their past that are never fully explained. but i understand it’s hard to develop individual characters AND their relationship with one another. once all the characters and their backgrounds are in place, it is well worth it to get to know them.
the ending of the book is what makes it for me. this gradual warmth and hope, like spring air has blown in. it could have ended in any way but this warm ending is what makes me feel that their connection is so full of love and care. life isnt going to suddenly be better but i hope they stay together and work through life together. sending hugs to the girls.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Bullying
Moderate: Alcohol, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Sexual content, Miscarriage, and Sexism
Minor: Suicide and Rape
artemisg'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This book was a wonderful story about female friendship and female struggles in Korea. I loved the dynamics between the characters, seeing how their bonds were forged and made stronger through their hardships. I also enjoyed seeing the differing opinions of the characters and seeing the narrators through each other's eyes.
However, I would have loved more depth. It felt like a lot of seemingly significant things got entirely glossed over. For example, Ara brutally beat up an assistant at the salon she worked at, and it was virtually never mentioned after the deed was done . Additionally, Kyuri made many passing references to the sexism and abuse in the room girl industry - both in her past and present - and I would have loved to hear more about it on a deeper level.
Overall, I did really enjoy this book, but it left me wanting, and not just at its conclusion (which I thought was very sweet), but in central points.
However, I would have loved more depth. It felt like a lot of seemingly significant things got entirely glossed over. For example,
Overall, I did really enjoy this book, but it left me wanting, and not just at its conclusion (which I thought was very sweet), but in central points.
Content Warnings
Minor: Miscarriage and Rape
kyrajames's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Gore, Rape, and Violence
himangi's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Ableism, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death of parent, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Medical content, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexism
phobosm's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Infidelity, Sexism, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Moderate: Suicide, Death, Violence, Child abuse, Ableism, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, and Fatphobia
Minor: Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
sarah984's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I liked the ending of this book, but overall it felt kind of unfocused. Very little actually happened, things that seemed important would be alluded to and then never brought up again, and one of the viewpoint characters felt unnecessary.
The writing was beautiful in many places and I think the author has some valuable things to say about female friendship and beauty culture in Korea, but I didn't enjoy the actual book as much as I could have.
The writing was beautiful in many places and I think the author has some valuable things to say about female friendship and beauty culture in Korea, but I didn't enjoy the actual book as much as I could have.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Medical content, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Trafficking, and Vomit
Moderate: Rape and Suicide
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