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

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad fast-paced

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

5.0

Kim Jiyoung was born in 1982. We learn of her life as a female living in Korea. From her parents disappointment at having a girl, boys being picked over her for things in school, struggling to get employed due to being a woman. We see the impact that a misogynistic society can have on a person.

Nam-Joo sprinkles footnotes throughout the book backing the story with facts of discrimination noted towards women in Korea elevating this book for me from a scathing fiction story to one further holding truth. It’s easy to see why this was so popular when it came out and why it’s been translated into 18(!!!!!!!!) languages!