A review by alexiasp
I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Se-hee

informative reflective medium-paced

3.0

While the concept sounds super interesting (especially if you, yourself, go to therapy!) I find the topics being approached at a very surface level. There were some parts that I felt like I would resonate with and was very, very looking forward to reading (like binge-eating and being scared of weight gain, and being image-obsessed and how they all tie in with her condition, or from where these may arise). The therapist's answers seemed very reading-out-of-the-manual (and very direct, too). Of course, this could be the case if it's a new patient, as you can't tailor your knowledge to your patient *yet*. But even if this was the case, the author could have waited to publish this book after more therapy sessions, including the sessions with more valuable insight.

But credit's due where credit's due; I think this book can help you if it finds you at the right time, especially if you feel like you're the only person struggling with dysthymia, the odd one out. And the name and cover of the book are genius! Also, tteokbokki is mentioned only at the very end :(

TL;DR: This is an interesting book if you're curious about other people's therapy sessions or if you're struggling with the same condition. Don't expect it to be life-altering or full of wisdom.