Reviews with content warning for Sexism - I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki

3.5 stars

Better than I thought. I read it in about one day!

I really related to Se-hee at times and it is always nice to feel seen. What I really liked was this just bringing back memories of sessions with my own therapist.

I didn't like how the front had the mix of essays and transcripts but then it abruptly stopped and only had essays at the end. I wish it was more evenly spaced out. I am not sure if all the essays at the end were added in the translated version or later releases. I would like to know.

If you like memoirs and have been a 20-something year old woman with low self esteem you may like this. To be honest I find Se-hee including parts about herself that I didn't really like made the book feel more honest. Not like we have to fully like someone to like their book. Kinda the whole point and weird if you feel like you have to.

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naomi_k's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad fast-paced

4.0

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heatherjay94's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

3.5

The book follows the author's journey to improving their mental health through a series of reflective essays and transcripts of their therapy sessions, detailing their struggles with self-image, low self-esteem, and dependency issues, among other things.

I didn't expect to relate to this book as much as I did. It was saddening to see someone trying to find their way out of the bog of self-hatred. I see parts of myself in their thoughts, as well as fragments of my old self. I think if I'd found this book 2-3 years ago, I would have struggled a lot more to finish it.

I respect the courage it must have taken to write a book like this - to bare yourself in such a way that will no doubt invite contempt and derision from some people, even the ones who do relate to your struggles. The book was like a mirror for me in parts, and I have to admit I didn't like what I see.

But still, I'm glad I read it. I don't think I'll revisit it any time soon, but I don't regret picking it up. I wish the author all the best in their journey to healing, and I hope the book finds its way into the hands of those who need it. Sometimes we just need to know that we aren't alone in our pain and ugliness.

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