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moonsunamour's review
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Part 1: female rage and a lot of frustration at our society and males in particular.
Part 2: disgust and a feeling of doom and instability regarding humanity which seems drenched in malice and unconsciousness.
Part 3: utter desolation and empathy for sensitive and open minds who struggle through a twisted and seemingly inexplicable world as well as a sense of confusion, despair and being lost
Part 2: disgust and a feeling of doom and instability regarding humanity which seems drenched in malice and unconsciousness.
Part 3: utter desolation and empathy for sensitive and open minds who struggle through a twisted and seemingly inexplicable world as well as a sense of confusion, despair and being lost
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Sexual harassment
umbeebmu's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Blood, Medical content, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
lethargicbat's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I find it so disappointing how many people seemingly dismiss this book as just ‘weird’ or something unworthy of analysis when I find having a book be more outlandish in it's character's actions makes the themes illuminate even more because of the heightened reality they exist in. Of course having exposure and actual knowledge or experience in South Korean culture will effect the meaning of how you may view some things. That's how literature works. But I feel as if the easy dismissal of this entire book by many English-as-first-language people is that because you're coming from a different life experience and place than the writer, you place this as unworthy of analysis. It's a refusal to actually engage with literature that comes from a different country/originally written in a different language which is xenophobic and racist. You don't have to enjoy the novel, I certainly have my complaints, but I think so many people refusing to give it the same respect and consideration as English written literature is telling!
I will give a quick warning for if anyone used the audiobook. I started to while knitting and had the book copy later and realized how many of the sentences were altered and, in a few cases, the narrator said the wrong name. I continued with the written form, where there's an inconsistent quality of translation, but wanted to warn some people just in case!
Every part of this story involves stripping Yeong-hye of her control and right of self determination, which accelerates her mental decline. Her husband, whom always looked down upon her and considered her unremarkable and thus an object to complete his safe, conventional life he chose for himself, begins the narrative. Mr. Cheong is ashamed and angry at her whenever she dares to go against what he decided best—he doesn't even believe she has discomfort and pain in wearing a bra and that's why she goes without one because he views her body as an object that exists only for his own needs. To be challenged with her actually being a person with feelings or any agency is something he can't bear, and it reflects in his refusal to accept she's a vegetarian. He admits he doesn't care of the reason, nor her mental suffering as she gets visibly weaker from malnourishment, because the relationship was never about love but instead in him having something to control. He ends up raping her because of this lack of care or any respect with a chilling nonchalance and self righteousness, believing he is in the right in forcing his power over her.
Cheong eventually calls her family to tell on her no longer eating meat, faking his concern despite that not even being necessary given how quick Yeong-hye's parents and siblings are in also violating her boundaries, albeit in different ways. Rather than being actually concern on how she's reached a stage of anorexia due to her mental health, they view her decision as acting out and no longer being compliant as she should be or that ‘she doesn't know any better’ to make a decision for herself. Her father, who was always physically abusive, tries to force meat into her mouth and then hits her when she refuses. The mother sobs how can she be doing this, how can she disrespect her parents and husband like this, because to act on her own free will is a disrespect when you're expected to live just for their purpose and fulfillment rather than your own. With Cheong, we see the effect of a man refusing to give up a sense of entitled control—where the focus of his and her family intervening is because she refuses to give in to his unfair demand, which allows the true underlying cause to be ignored and dismissed. They don't care about her dream, her delusions, nor her festering self hatred and guilt. It's easier to focus on the easy solution to what the problem is and, in attempting to force her to comply specifically to her husband and father's demands (although all of them all guilty of forcing their will upon her), that leads to her mental health getting worse to where she feels desperate and trapped enough to attempt to take her own life.
Later, after the failed suicide attempt because of this family ambush and then her mother still trying to trick her into consuming the blood of a goat, Yeong-hye does eventually gain a little weight and is more healthy because she's actually living alone and on a diet plan that lets her get proper nutrition while being a vegetarian—thus showing that this treatment and behavior from the people that were supposed to love and care for her was even more unacceptable than how horrifying and disgusting it first presents. If she had gotten the support she needed and deserved earlier or if her brother-in-law didn't intervene, her life may had still turned out fine.
I saw many people didn't enjoy the second chapter that focused on the brother-in-law but I really liked that it showed how he too manipulated and took advantage of Yeong-hye in a way that's different than the prior repulsion-based actions from her husband. He has an unhealthy fixation on her, specifically in seeing her as the ideal sexual object and the key to unlocking his artistic merit he had previously lost. He may say her husband was a horrible man and she deserved better, yet his feelings are led on by the belief that he is the better—that by Mr. Cheong being out of the way, he can now get what he wanted.
I wonder if Cheong raping her and how he was openly disgusted by her effected her view of her brother-in-law's actions or if she just willingly went along with it because what control has she had before to say no? Or if it stemmed from a place of emptiness, too hollow to disagree to whatever is being asked of her, which can be a side effect from her depression and self depreciation, as well as be a trauma response after having her control taken from her regardless of the fight she put up and its easier to just go along so it'll be over faster. Regardless, he asked her to model naked and be painted, and filmed her in ‘loving,’ (voyeuristic) swooping camera shots. He didn't force anything, instead he led her to believe it was her choice. He manipulated the control he had of her when really it was all about satisfying his urge and needs without much care to the woman he now deems as a sex object that must exist to serve his life a purpose and provide a fulfillment within his own unhappy life.
I think one of the more obvious examples for the way they both are entitled in a similar way, even if their mindset behind it differs, shows in that she earlier referred to her body a weapon—other than her breasts which are too soft to harm and that she's heartbroken they're shrinking, viewing it as a reflection of her own cruelty. Her husband views it as a disgrace because she no longer looks feminine enough for him. And the brother-in-law still views it as something to sexualize, eventually corrupting her view of her body even more to fit his needs; which starts obsession on becoming a tree as her mental health continues to decline because what harm can a tree cause? These two men may have different reasoning behind their actions but it still circles back to trying to sculpt her body and life into something that serves their desires before her own needs.
The third chapter, centered on her sister In-hye, definitely was the most fascinating! She actually loves her and understands more than the men in their lives but love isn't enough at this point. I love the glimpses we see of In-hye's own mental health struggles, how she frames her suicidal thoughts (and attempt of an attempt!) as well as her continued guilt on what happened. She carries the burden of care still, and always will. She takes on the blame for what happened and what could had avoided this outcome because if she doesn't, who will? I also love the hypocrisy and sense of self awareness of encouraging Yeong-hye to be strong and get better while reflecting on what did being persistent in those give her beyond a life she's unsatisfied in? What level of choice did *she* have in her life's path? How free is she truly, how free has she always been? We had Yeong-hye trapped at an institution but trying to die to be fully free and In-hye, technically physically free but trapped within her own life. They serve as a mirror of each other and of how they responded to the unfair expectations and limitations that was placed upon them. In-hye did as she was supposed to, she had a husband and child, she worked and cooked and cleaned. She didn't complain despite her husband not fulfilling her emotional needs, she did let herself dream of a life different. Yeong-hye ‘failed’ in society's eye, she rebelled in the sense of daring to be her own person rather than just the well-behaved wife or have any children. Yet both sisters end up riding in the ambulance and suicidal at the end of the book.
Their dynamic as well as Yeong-hye vegetarianism and the metaphor it stands for and watching it slowly kill her was definitely the highlight of the book. I would had been happy with more insight of Yeong-hye's actions and choice but I thought the glimpses we got were enough to shade it in and give reason! Overall, it was ultimately such an interesting note to end on and has left me, more than a week later, still thinking about it :)
I will give a quick warning for if anyone used the audiobook. I started to while knitting and had the book copy later and realized how many of the sentences were altered and, in a few cases, the narrator said the wrong name. I continued with the written form, where there's an inconsistent quality of translation, but wanted to warn some people just in case!
Cheong eventually calls her family to tell on her no longer eating meat, faking his concern despite that not even being necessary given how quick Yeong-hye's parents and siblings are in also violating her boundaries, albeit in different ways. Rather than being actually concern on how she's reached a stage of anorexia due to her mental health, they view her decision as acting out and no longer being compliant as she should be or that ‘she doesn't know any better’ to make a decision for herself. Her father, who was always physically abusive, tries to force meat into her mouth and then hits her when she refuses. The mother sobs how can she be doing this, how can she disrespect her parents and husband like this, because to act on her own free will is a disrespect when you're expected to live just for their purpose and fulfillment rather than your own. With Cheong, we see the effect of a man refusing to give up a sense of entitled control—where the focus of his and her family intervening is because she refuses to give in to his unfair demand, which allows the true underlying cause to be ignored and dismissed. They don't care about her dream, her delusions, nor her festering self hatred and guilt. It's easier to focus on the easy solution to what the problem is and, in attempting to force her to comply specifically to her husband and father's demands (although all of them all guilty of forcing their will upon her), that leads to her mental health getting worse to where she feels desperate and trapped enough to attempt to take her own life.
Later, after the failed suicide attempt because of this family ambush and then her mother still trying to trick her into consuming the blood of a goat, Yeong-hye does eventually gain a little weight and is more healthy because she's actually living alone and on a diet plan that lets her get proper nutrition while being a vegetarian—thus showing that this treatment and behavior from the people that were supposed to love and care for her was even more unacceptable than how horrifying and disgusting it first presents. If she had gotten the support she needed and deserved earlier or if her brother-in-law didn't intervene, her life may had still turned out fine.
I saw many people didn't enjoy the second chapter that focused on the brother-in-law but I really liked that it showed how he too manipulated and took advantage of Yeong-hye in a way that's different than the prior repulsion-based actions from her husband. He has an unhealthy fixation on her, specifically in seeing her as the ideal sexual object and the key to unlocking his artistic merit he had previously lost. He may say her husband was a horrible man and she deserved better, yet his feelings are led on by the belief that he is the better—that by Mr. Cheong being out of the way, he can now get what he wanted.
I wonder if Cheong raping her and how he was openly disgusted by her effected her view of her brother-in-law's actions or if she just willingly went along with it because what control has she had before to say no? Or if it stemmed from a place of emptiness, too hollow to disagree to whatever is being asked of her, which can be a side effect from her depression and self depreciation, as well as be a trauma response after having her control taken from her regardless of the fight she put up and its easier to just go along so it'll be over faster. Regardless, he asked her to model naked and be painted, and filmed her in ‘loving,’ (voyeuristic) swooping camera shots. He didn't force anything, instead he led her to believe it was her choice. He manipulated the control he had of her when really it was all about satisfying his urge and needs without much care to the woman he now deems as a sex object that must exist to serve his life a purpose and provide a fulfillment within his own unhappy life.
I think one of the more obvious examples for the way they both are entitled in a similar way, even if their mindset behind it differs, shows in that she earlier referred to her body a weapon—other than her breasts which are too soft to harm and that she's heartbroken they're shrinking, viewing it as a reflection of her own cruelty. Her husband views it as a disgrace because she no longer looks feminine enough for him. And the brother-in-law still views it as something to sexualize, eventually corrupting her view of her body even more to fit his needs; which starts obsession on becoming a tree as her mental health continues to decline because what harm can a tree cause? These two men may have different reasoning behind their actions but it still circles back to trying to sculpt her body and life into something that serves their desires before her own needs.
The third chapter, centered on her sister In-hye, definitely was the most fascinating! She actually loves her and understands more than the men in their lives but love isn't enough at this point. I love the glimpses we see of In-hye's own mental health struggles, how she frames her suicidal thoughts (and attempt of an attempt!) as well as her continued guilt on what happened. She carries the burden of care still, and always will. She takes on the blame for what happened and what could had avoided this outcome because if she doesn't, who will? I also love the hypocrisy and sense of self awareness of encouraging Yeong-hye to be strong and get better while reflecting on what did being persistent in those give her beyond a life she's unsatisfied in? What level of choice did *she* have in her life's path? How free is she truly, how free has she always been? We had Yeong-hye trapped at an institution but trying to die to be fully free and In-hye, technically physically free but trapped within her own life. They serve as a mirror of each other and of how they responded to the unfair expectations and limitations that was placed upon them. In-hye did as she was supposed to, she had a husband and child, she worked and cooked and cleaned. She didn't complain despite her husband not fulfilling her emotional needs, she did let herself dream of a life different. Yeong-hye ‘failed’ in society's eye, she rebelled in the sense of daring to be her own person rather than just the well-behaved wife or have any children. Yet both sisters end up riding in the ambulance and suicidal at the end of the book.
Their dynamic as well as Yeong-hye vegetarianism and the metaphor it stands for and watching it slowly kill her was definitely the highlight of the book. I would had been happy with more insight of Yeong-hye's actions and choice but I thought the glimpses we got were enough to shade it in and give reason! Overall, it was ultimately such an interesting note to end on and has left me, more than a week later, still thinking about it :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, and Grief
bvcouto's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Cannibalism, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment
circe_08's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Disturbing, odd, I was especially furious about the men leaving his wife Yong-hye behind, not acknowledging her work until she stops doing it, than leaving her even if she needed him most after her mental breakdown, the most uncomfortable I felt after reading a book, not really in a good way as most detailed described scenes left me feeling disturbed
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
hauntedantiqueshop's review
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
The husbands ain’t shit and sisters are the BACKBONE of our society. I would have rated this higher had the men been less prevalent in the story and focused on the sisters alone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Violence, Forced institutionalization, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Injury/Injury detail
Content warning for marital rape and it being glossed over completelyclechsler's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
All the content warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Blood, Medical content, Suicide attempt, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexism, Vomit, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Dementia and Alcohol
bunzel's review
2.75
Meh
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Suicide attempt, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
kieranyes's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Vomit, Medical trauma, and Suicide attempt
bestsoph123's review
- 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? Yes
3.75
SPOILERS FOR EVERYTHING
Overall, I really liked the book for its strong parts on detailing Korean society, the role of women and the deterioration of Yeong-Hye. I feel for her because nobody cared to fully understand what she was going through and what her dreams were, they just wanted to use her for their own advantage, except maybe In-hye. I really like the writing style too, it emerses you into what the characters are thinking and feeling.
Overall, what brings it down for me is the mention of animal abuse in a dream was completely unnecessary and it didn’t add to the plot, imo. That’s one of the only dreams that gets shown, and I just feel like it could’ve been done in a better way yk?
Additionally what let it down was the whole Yeong-Hye fetish/sister-in-law trope. I understand why it’s there, it’s In-Hye’s husband’s motivation, but at times it kinda felt too weird…? I think that’s just me though.
I also thought that at the end when In-Hye’s husband sneaks in after they’ve broken up and rapes her and then never comes back was really weird? It didn’t add anything and I was genuinely confused on why it was there.
Overall, I enjoyed it, and would recommend to read, but uf you’re sensitive to animal abuse, rape etc, I wouldn’t.
Overall, I really liked the book for its strong parts on detailing Korean society, the role of women and the deterioration of Yeong-Hye. I feel for her because nobody cared to fully understand what she was going through and what her dreams were, they just wanted to use her for their own advantage, except maybe In-hye. I really like the writing style too, it emerses you into what the characters are thinking and feeling.
Overall, what brings it down for me is the mention of animal abuse in a dream was completely unnecessary and it didn’t add to the plot, imo. That’s one of the only dreams that gets shown, and I just feel like it could’ve been done in a better way yk?
Additionally what let it down was the whole Yeong-Hye fetish/sister-in-law trope. I understand why it’s there, it’s In-Hye’s husband’s motivation, but at times it kinda felt too weird…? I think that’s just me though.
I also thought that at the end when In-Hye’s husband sneaks in after they’ve broken up and rapes her and then never comes back was really weird? It didn’t add anything and I was genuinely confused on why it was there.
Overall, I enjoyed it, and would recommend to read, but uf you’re sensitive to animal abuse, rape etc, I wouldn’t.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Vomit, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Confinement, Gore, and Blood