A review by baronessnyx
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-joo

challenging reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

the titular character kim jiyoung is meant to represent an average south korean as represented through the statistics that are sprinkled through the book to provide more societal context. i feel when you read her story, you're meant to pour yourself and empathize with her through what you feel.  instead of getting an idea of jiyoung's internal feelings or emotions, i reacted more how other characters interacted with her.
from her family, husband and even strangers and medical professionals.


its a book meant to elicit frustration that other people in jiyoung's life have been speaking over her and that even if she does speak, there is no one who can listen with a certain empathy. as a south asian person, there are cultural aspects such as the familial relationships that i connected with which left me with a deep pit of anger and resentment with how suffocating it was. it was like jinyoung was born just grow up and be worn down from a mountain to a pebble.  

no one has the answers to solve gender inequality, but i feel this is a good narrative exposition to sketch out the gendered inequality built in south korean society. 
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