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Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982: A Novel
One of the most notable novels of the year, hailed by both critics and K-pop stars alike, Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 follows one woman's psychic deterioration in the face of rampant misogyny. In a tidy apartment on the outskirts of Seoul, millennial "everywoman" Kim Jiyoung spends her days caring for her infant daughter. But strange symptoms appear: Jiyoung begins to impersonate the voices of other women, dead and alive. As she plunges deeper into this psychosis, her concerned husband sends her to a psychiatrist. Jiyoung narrates her story to this doctor--from her birth to parents who expected a son to elementary school teachers who policed girls' outfits to male coworkers who installed hidden cameras in women's restrooms. But can her psychiatrist cure her, or even discover what truly ails her? "A social treatise as well as a work of art" (Alexandra Alter, New York Times), Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 heralds the arrival of international powerhouse Cho Nam-Joo.
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Community Reviews
Reading this made me think a lot. We have come so far when it comes to women empowerment, and yet, there is still so much more to be done. Although the men are applauded when they take part in the process of child-rearing, housework, among other things, there are still, in many parts of the world, where the deep-standing culture of having the women give up everything - even themselves - is expected.
This is a story of Kim Jiyoung, a name commonly given to women just like her in Korea during the early 80s (something I read somewhere on the net), facing detrimental mental health problems in light of all the things the people around her threw at her. Her father, her mother-in-law, and... society. It is entirely hurtful, and, for lack of a better word (phrase), utterly disgusting. Which part of being a woman means we are lesser beings, expected to give up our time, our health, our career, and our dreams? Getting through this made me very frustrated. It was eye-opening, and I understand now why this book is so controversial in male-dominated Korea.
What I found most interesting with this book is that the author followed very closely to historical facts, even citing references. There are actual footnotes, in this fiction book, and it blew my mind everytime. It is very obvious, then, that this book wasn't written just for the sake of a good story, but one that aims to induce change. And boy does Korea need it.
I was, however, a little disappointed that the book focused a lot more on the events that led to the poor mental health Jiyoung is experiencing. I would have loved if there was a better build-up and more focus on how her mental illness has affected her and her loved ones. But perhaps, if this was done, it might not have the impact that the author was looking for.
This is a story of Kim Jiyoung, a name commonly given to women just like her in Korea during the early 80s (something I read somewhere on the net), facing detrimental mental health problems in light of all the things the people around her threw at her. Her father, her mother-in-law, and... society. It is entirely hurtful, and, for lack of a better word (phrase), utterly disgusting. Which part of being a woman means we are lesser beings, expected to give up our time, our health, our career, and our dreams? Getting through this made me very frustrated. It was eye-opening, and I understand now why this book is so controversial in male-dominated Korea.
What I found most interesting with this book is that the author followed very closely to historical facts, even citing references. There are actual footnotes, in this fiction book, and it blew my mind everytime. It is very obvious, then, that this book wasn't written just for the sake of a good story, but one that aims to induce change. And boy does Korea need it.
I was, however, a little disappointed that the book focused a lot more on the events that led to the poor mental health Jiyoung is experiencing. I would have loved if there was a better build-up and more focus on how her mental illness has affected her and her loved ones. But perhaps, if this was done, it might not have the impact that the author was looking for.
Although this is a work of fiction, it is clearly based on facts and statistics in South Korea. This is a concise novella on the ongoing gender politics in Korea. This book explains why the birth rate in Korea is one of the lowest in the developed world.
The chapter where she talks about how she has to sacrifice her entire life when she has a child while her husband thinks that he will too by only seeing his friends less, still makes me mad.
Strangely walked into a feminist book with an accurate portrayal on how aggressive the patriarchy is to women in Korea. The book also presents statistics and sources them as it goes. This book is less fiction and more realism, I would venture to say a good thesis in gender inequality.
Definitely an enraging book, as it makes us feel the powerlessness of our reality and how far away we are from still changing it. The ending gets me, as the psychologist goes on to note how he finds his patients (MC) lived experiences with sexism despairing, but then chooses to prolong the cycle by making a point to rehire an unmarried female peer. Its our lived reality, that people ironically acknowledge misogyny and sexism is wrong, yet contribute to it in their own way.
Whats sad to say is that even in 2023, a lot of these behaviors are still present by the patriarchy just rewrapped in different packaging. Would highly recommend for anyone.
Definitely an enraging book, as it makes us feel the powerlessness of our reality and how far away we are from still changing it. The ending gets me, as the psychologist goes on to note how he finds his patients (MC) lived experiences with sexism despairing, but then chooses to prolong the cycle by making a point to rehire an unmarried female peer. Its our lived reality, that people ironically acknowledge misogyny and sexism is wrong, yet contribute to it in their own way.
Whats sad to say is that even in 2023, a lot of these behaviors are still present by the patriarchy just rewrapped in different packaging. Would highly recommend for anyone.
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