A review by mals_reads
The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim

challenging dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

this was a really fantastic debut! THE EYES ARE THE BEST PART follows 18-year-old Ji-won dealing with the need to protect her mother and little sister from being preyed upon all while she gets a sudden insatiable hunger for eyes.

this told the story of a young girl forced into womanhood by her circumstances, and the predatory, scummy men in her life that force her to be hyper-aware of every situation. as a slow-burn, you really learn about Ji-won’s desires and motivations during the first half of the book before it really ups the ante midway through.

i think it’s length can take away from the story a bit since it’s a shorter novel, and the reader is being told certain things or events rather than shown, but that pushes the fast-paced plot along smoothly. but this is a commentary on fetishization, patriarchy, and over-compensation/performative allyship wrapped up into a body horror-heavy (though not disturbingly so!) novel.

but i really, really adore Erewhon & their books and look forward to this release + other future 2024 releases!
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