Reviews

I really loved this book, it was so heartbreaking and weird. Some of it seemed kinds on-the-nose but i lack the cultural background to appreciate 100% of the writing. Its really interesting how vegetarianism is received in Korean culture, though obviously the vegetarian aspect was more of a metaphor for going against the grain as a woman, and also picked up major anti-consumerism anti-individualism vibes, the people in the MC’s life can’t fathom that she would want to do something for herself or have her own thoughts that conflict with High Society, and it ultimately breaks her. If you like this book you should watch Kotoko (2011)

Content Warnings

kdahlo's review against another edition

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5.0

Really phenomenal, disturbing work. I want to fill this review with hackey literary analysis, but I'll content myself to say how this book relates to my own experience. I would compare this book most closely to something like "the Awakening" or even "the Yellow Wallpaper." Feminist literature that explores pain and disillusionment without too much hope. Maybe just the shadow of hope over everything asking if any of this was really necessary. The structure of the story is really nice, the focal character is never the narrator, her story is glimpsed through three different perspectives. This book had some scenes so graphic and disturbing I had to pause and struggle through them for more than a day, particularly in the last chapter, which I actually went back and read twice. The first two chapters are important but the last one is definitely where the author has the most to say, and where you get the most insight into the focal character. I really liked it and will be looking to read more by this author.

suburbea's review against another edition

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dark sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

rickle400's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad tense 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’ve read a lot of dark weird books but this one has gotta be up there as one of the most consistently intense and head spinning books I’ve ever read. Probs not helpful for my mental health but a refreshing, challenging book. I doubt I’ll ever forget it

Content Warnings

treehugger513's review against another edition

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3.0

This book leaves me confused and unsatisfied. I do enjoy when a writer leaves the ending open, but I feel this ending was too open.

With every page I grew more and more unsettled, never moving towards anything resembling a conclusion. The writing was truly masterful, the subject intruiging, the structure unique. in the end, I needed more. It wasn't even as though I wanted more, I truly felt I needed more in order to wrap my head around the message. I will be thinking about this one for a long while and it may be one of those books that I decide if I liked or not.

rev's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

bekbooroo's review against another edition

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dark reflective

3.5

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