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A review by sedgewren
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-joo
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
A drily humorous yet powerful book, Kim Jiyoung Born 1982 describes the all too familiar misogyny that occurs in South Korea but is reflected across the world.
What made this book even more powerful and tragic is how Jiyoung isn't even a raging feminist - she accepts and tries to work within the patriarchal system, but is trodden underfoot. One can't help but feel that her madness is her mind's way of releasing and fighting back against the system.
I really enjoyed reading it - at many points throughout the book, I felt cathartically angry. I can see that the situations might happen to me or to people I know - and I probably would have dealt with it in a similar manner to Jiyoung. This book has helped me understand the microaggressions (and aggressions!) that unfortunately, far too many women experience.
What made this book even more powerful and tragic is how Jiyoung isn't even a raging feminist - she accepts and tries to work within the patriarchal system, but is trodden underfoot. One can't help but feel that her madness is her mind's way of releasing and fighting back against the system.
I really enjoyed reading it - at many points throughout the book, I felt cathartically angry. I can see that the situations might happen to me or to people I know - and I probably would have dealt with it in a similar manner to Jiyoung. This book has helped me understand the microaggressions (and aggressions!) that unfortunately, far too many women experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Mental illness
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Miscarriage and Abortion