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starrysea98's review against another edition
3.0
okay, I wasn’t expecting this to read like random trains of thoughts......
First of all, I like that this gives insight to a particular bit of history that I’ve never heard of before. The factory girls and the special program for their education is interesting and I wish the story could have focused more on that. Perhaps I was wrong in expecting a story when really this is a somewhat autobiographical memoir. It’s more of a recollection of things that the author has went through imo.
Secondly, the writing is lovely. Kudos to both the original writer and the translator for that. It is slightly confusing though since the tenses are the same but the author will jump from present (where the narrator is 32) to the past (where the narrator is 16) without much fanfare.
I’m no expert at analysing literature and much of my reviews rely on me enjoying the story or not. In this case, it’s a bit too meandering for me. I just prefer my reading material to be simple 🙈 however, I did and probably always will enjoy the way Kyung Sook describes Korea.
First of all, I like that this gives insight to a particular bit of history that I’ve never heard of before. The factory girls and the special program for their education is interesting and I wish the story could have focused more on that. Perhaps I was wrong in expecting a story when really this is a somewhat autobiographical memoir. It’s more of a recollection of things that the author has went through imo.
Secondly, the writing is lovely. Kudos to both the original writer and the translator for that. It is slightly confusing though since the tenses are the same but the author will jump from present (where the narrator is 32) to the past (where the narrator is 16) without much fanfare.
I’m no expert at analysing literature and much of my reviews rely on me enjoying the story or not. In this case, it’s a bit too meandering for me. I just prefer my reading material to be simple 🙈 however, I did and probably always will enjoy the way Kyung Sook describes Korea.
heylook's review against another edition
2.0
First things first, this book reads almost as if it were translated one word at a time, or plugged in to google translate. It definitely wasn't copy-edited. All over the place, pronouns, prepositions, other words are missing from sentences. Stylistic quirks pop up here and there randomly that aren't present anywhere else in the text. Events taking place in the framing story are told in the past tense, while the 'real' narrative is presented in present tense, except when the author/translator/editor forgets and screws it up.
All THAT being said, the book doesn't tell us anything. It's certainly not about loneliness. Most of the narrative concerns a teenage girl working at a factory to pay for school, except it all ultimately doesn't matter, it's just telling us what goes on, nothing deeper. Then union busting pops up - ah, conflict! But there's almost never any investment in it, emotionally, philosophically. Then there's a friendship/romance thing, but that too comes and goes until the end of the book, in which something happens that ultimately doesn't really cause any changes either. There's a narrative about a friend whose father has a secret, and . . . it just kind of gets forgotten. There's a narrative about people i nthe author's life reacting to the things she's written, but it too is only superficially important. Basically the entire book is like a high-school level personal narrative. Things happen, emotions are felt, but none of it really means anything - and this isn't intended, it's just poor writing.
All THAT being said, the book doesn't tell us anything. It's certainly not about loneliness. Most of the narrative concerns a teenage girl working at a factory to pay for school, except it all ultimately doesn't matter, it's just telling us what goes on, nothing deeper. Then union busting pops up - ah, conflict! But there's almost never any investment in it, emotionally, philosophically. Then there's a friendship/romance thing, but that too comes and goes until the end of the book, in which something happens that ultimately doesn't really cause any changes either. There's a narrative about a friend whose father has a secret, and . . . it just kind of gets forgotten. There's a narrative about people i nthe author's life reacting to the things she's written, but it too is only superficially important. Basically the entire book is like a high-school level personal narrative. Things happen, emotions are felt, but none of it really means anything - and this isn't intended, it's just poor writing.
bookhoarder_neha's review against another edition
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
#bookhoarderreviews
I think auto-fiction is a tricky genre to write. The lines between the autobiographical account and the fictionalised version gets blurred and leaves the reader confused at times. I wanted to exude empathy for the condition and struggle of the author but was disoriented since couldn’t fathom where the autobiographical account amalgamated with the fictional version.
The story starts promisingly with her journey from the country side to Seoul to work in an industrial sweatshop along with an unnamed cousin. The initial usage of phrases like ‘I, 17 year old’ and ‘lone room’ and not revealing the names of her family members built upon the effectiveness of the writing.
Midway through the book, the usage of these phrases and references to unnamed characters became extremely repetitive and frustrating leading to confusion at times. At several places, I had to go back in my audiobook to understand who was being referred to at particular points in the story. I felt some fictional names could have been given to the characters instead of calling them eldest brother, first brother, second brother, cousin to do away with the ambiguity.
While I appreciate the author’s efforts to pen down the plight of the Korean citizens in the post war industrialisation struggle, I felt the writing to be average. A few parts like her attempts at being able to attend school and become a writer and the worker’s collective scuffles were well written. But the author failed to engage me in the family dynamics that was also a huge part of the story.
I would recommend this book if you want to educate yourself about the industrialisation process in South Korea, post war struggle of the citizens and are able to assimilate auto-fiction. This was my third attempt at reading this genre and I am not sure if it is for me.
karinlib's review against another edition
4.0
I read [b:I'll Be Right There|18209505|I'll Be Right There|Kyung-Sook Shin|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1375064441s/18209505.jpg|25630312] by [a:Kyung-Sook Shin|7773619|Kyung-Sook Shin|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/authors/1409486756p2/7773619.jpg] last year and I have been wanting to read this and her first book [b:Please Look After Mom|8574333|Please Look After Mom|Kyung-Sook Shin|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1320413213s/8574333.jpg|13443181]. Although I didn't love this book as much as I'll Be Right There, I still enjoyed this immensely.
An unnamed narrator, who is a popular author in South Korea receives a call from an old co-worker, who is wondering if the author is ashamed of her once friends. So, the author writes the story of her years working in a stereo factory and going to school at night to finish High School.
An unnamed narrator, who is a popular author in South Korea receives a call from an old co-worker, who is wondering if the author is ashamed of her once friends. So, the author writes the story of her years working in a stereo factory and going to school at night to finish High School.
masami's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
3.75
clare_tan_wenhui's review against another edition
3.0
Meandering in its reflections and musings, at times a bit too much. However, it does give me some introduction to the history of Korea during the late 70s and early 80s. However I wish they could have been elaborative about the Kwangju Incident and the Seoul Building Collapse Disaster, because a non-Korean reader like me would be largely ignorant about their context and curious to find out more.
m_h_dahl's review
5.0
"The Girl Who Wrote Loneliness" by Shin Kyung-Sook is a remarkable book that combines an immersive narrative voice, captivating insights into the protagonist's thoughts, and historical events from South Korea. This novel skillfully balances between fiction and reality, and the author's unique storytelling voice undoubtedly piqued my curiosity.
The book takes us inside the mind of the main character, a young girl who experiences loneliness in a deep and heart-wrenching way. The narrative voice is so vivid and engaging that I was immediately captivated. Being inside the protagonist's head is consuming and provides an intimate glimpse into her thoughts, emotions, and dreams. Shin Kyung-Sook succeeds in creating a protagonist who is believable and relatable, and I followed her journey with empathy and fascination. Through a unique narrative voice, she explores emotional isolation, the longing for connection, and the universal nature of loneliness. The author's poetic language and powerful imagery create an empathetic space for readers to reflect on the profound impact of loneliness on the human experience. Shin Kyung-Sook employs symbolic and figurative language to enhance the portrayal of loneliness. She uses metaphors and descriptions that illustrate the intense feelings of loneliness, such as being trapped in suffocating darkness or swimming in a sea of silence. Through a combination of realistic situations and psychological depth, the author conveys loneliness as a fundamental human condition that can be both painful and challenging to overcome.
The time period depicted in South Korea in the book is characterized by industrialization and the economic development that took place after the Korean War in the 1950s. Following the war, South Korea experienced significant economic growth, and the factory industry played a crucial role in this development.
Women constituted a significant portion of the workforce during this period and were often employed in factories. They worked under harsh and demanding conditions, with many of them working almost around the clock to contribute to the country's economic rebuilding. These factory workers faced long working hours, poor working conditions, and low wages. Their efforts and sacrifices for the country's progress have been recognized as an integral part of South Korea's industrialization history. This book explores this time period and immerses readers in the factory environment, providing a close insight into the challenges and struggles faced by the workers, particularly the women. It portrays their relentless efforts, their dreams, and their struggle to survive in a changing society.
What makes this book even more intriguing is the integration of historical events from South Korea. The author seamlessly weaves these events into the narrative, adding an extra dimension to the novel. We get a glimpse of South Korea's history and society through the protagonist's eyes, adding a layer of realism and depth to the story.
"The Girl Who Wrote Loneliness" can be described as a literary hybrid where fiction and reality blend together. It is a beautiful and poignant tale of loneliness, dreams, and human resilience. Shin Kyung-Sook has a unique ability to capture the reader's attention and hold it throughout the entire book. Her language is poetic, and she describes scenes and emotions with an intensity that deeply resonates with the reader.
The book takes us inside the mind of the main character, a young girl who experiences loneliness in a deep and heart-wrenching way. The narrative voice is so vivid and engaging that I was immediately captivated. Being inside the protagonist's head is consuming and provides an intimate glimpse into her thoughts, emotions, and dreams. Shin Kyung-Sook succeeds in creating a protagonist who is believable and relatable, and I followed her journey with empathy and fascination. Through a unique narrative voice, she explores emotional isolation, the longing for connection, and the universal nature of loneliness. The author's poetic language and powerful imagery create an empathetic space for readers to reflect on the profound impact of loneliness on the human experience. Shin Kyung-Sook employs symbolic and figurative language to enhance the portrayal of loneliness. She uses metaphors and descriptions that illustrate the intense feelings of loneliness, such as being trapped in suffocating darkness or swimming in a sea of silence. Through a combination of realistic situations and psychological depth, the author conveys loneliness as a fundamental human condition that can be both painful and challenging to overcome.
"If you lose your dream, it’s over. If you don’t shut it down, but work to get closer to your dream, you can make it. Even if you don’t get there, you can get pretty close."
- Shin Kyung-Sook, "The Girl Who Wrote Loneliness"
The time period depicted in South Korea in the book is characterized by industrialization and the economic development that took place after the Korean War in the 1950s. Following the war, South Korea experienced significant economic growth, and the factory industry played a crucial role in this development.
Women constituted a significant portion of the workforce during this period and were often employed in factories. They worked under harsh and demanding conditions, with many of them working almost around the clock to contribute to the country's economic rebuilding. These factory workers faced long working hours, poor working conditions, and low wages. Their efforts and sacrifices for the country's progress have been recognized as an integral part of South Korea's industrialization history. This book explores this time period and immerses readers in the factory environment, providing a close insight into the challenges and struggles faced by the workers, particularly the women. It portrays their relentless efforts, their dreams, and their struggle to survive in a changing society.
What makes this book even more intriguing is the integration of historical events from South Korea. The author seamlessly weaves these events into the narrative, adding an extra dimension to the novel. We get a glimpse of South Korea's history and society through the protagonist's eyes, adding a layer of realism and depth to the story.
"The Girl Who Wrote Loneliness" can be described as a literary hybrid where fiction and reality blend together. It is a beautiful and poignant tale of loneliness, dreams, and human resilience. Shin Kyung-Sook has a unique ability to capture the reader's attention and hold it throughout the entire book. Her language is poetic, and she describes scenes and emotions with an intensity that deeply resonates with the reader.
megatsunami's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. This absolutely beautiful novel interwove the narrator's current experience of writing the novel (exploring the meaning of writing and memory) with the story she is telling about her late teen years working in an industrial sweatshop in Seoul. The structure of this book was really masterful; the slow pacing that at first seems to be drifting around in a confusing way was actually part of the novel's artistry.