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

challenging emotional reflective fast-paced

5.0

I went into this book blind and absolutely loved it! I very rarely read a book the same day I buy it, but I couldn’t wait to read this one. The author was vulnerable in sharing her experiences with mental illness (particularly depression and anxiety).

I felt so seen and understood while reading this! I plan to come back to this book often as a new comfort read, and it’s definitely a favorite for July!

I see many saying that the psychiatrist was awful or the narrator is unlikeable which is disappointing. The psychiatrist wasn’t always great but 1) we are human and make mistakes 2) they acknowledge that they could’ve done better in their note at the end 3) it could be cultural differences. If you didn’t like the narrator, I think you missed the entire point of the book. Remember this is a real person sharing their mental illness struggles, which isn’t always pretty. And sadly those reviews reminded me why mental illness is still so stigmatized and why I still don’t confide in people about my own issues. The author may not see your reviews talking about how much you “couldn’t stand her whining,” but all the people in your life with mental illness will.

This is an important book for many and I’ll be recommending it often 
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