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

dark tense fast-paced

4.25

The Eyes Are the Best Part was an absolute trip, simmering with tension at first before it slowly but steadily boiled over due to rage and a dire need for revenge. I started the novel, expecting to be in for a gory and horror-filled ride led by the eighteen-year-old Korean American protagonist, Ji-won. Kim certainly delivered on this front, but it came as a pleasant surprise that she revealed horror to mean more than body horror, specifically tackling the horrors of what Asian/Asian American women face—especially around white men—and how they are often wrapped up in skin-crawling fetishization.

What I found particularly interesting about this novel was Kim’s explicit acknowledgment of how fetishization doesn’t necessarily have to be blatant ogling at Asian/Asian American women (which was certainly the case with George, the more-than-questionable boyfriend of Ji-won’s mother). Through the character of Geoffrey, Kim eventually revealed that even the so-called “nice guys” who seem to care about issues around equality can be equally as bad (if not, worse). Fetishization can be packaged in different ways, and while this message was a bit heavy-handed at times, it served to be excellent rage fuel for Ji-won as she fixated on the delicious appeal of piercing blue eyes.

I wouldn’t describe this novel as particularly scary, but it definitely isn’t for those who have a weak stomach, as Kim didn’t skip out on the gory details. I will say that I was a little iffy about the delivery of Ji-won’s descent into madness, in part because it was a little too absurd (though one could argue this was intentional), but also because I wasn’t entirely comfortable with the use of madness as a plot device. I found myself wanting a little more character development as well, which I think would have really made the story richer. Overall, though, this was a pretty thrilling and gross read. It won’t be for everyone, but it’s one worth picking up if you’re able to stomach horror in more ways than one.
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