⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 Stars – A quick read and a quick review: short, clinically straight to the point and razor-sharp!
Read: Feb 2025
Format: Kindle
This book made waves in South Korea when it was published for putting a magnifying glass over the experience of women in society. I can see why. I think it’ll be very relatable to anyone who grew up in a strongly patriarchal culture.
The novella runs through Kim Jiyoung’s life from childhood to motherhood, simply cataloguing the many instances of misogyny she experiences and the sacrifices bit and small that she must make, never being allowed to live to her intellectual or economic potential, simply for being a woman.
I didn’t love the start of it, which sees her fall into a kind of psychosis where the voices of many other women in her life speak through her but this soon falls away. I understand the intention of this but it didn’t work for me. I was glad that fell away.
The ending I found devastating in the best way. I basically screamed “FUCK YOU” and threw down my Kindle in frustration. But it’s so smart and really lands that final punch!
It’s only 175 pages and I recommend it if you get hold of a copy.
REVIEW SUMMARY
I LIKED
- The clinical narrative style is very effective at getting the point across.
- Very relatable to anyone who grew up in a patriarchy (which is all of us to varying degrees!).
- The ending is such a gut punch, I keep thinking about it!
I DIDN’T LIKE
- The start didn’t really work for me, but that doesn’t go on for long.
