Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982
Paperback Published on: 20/02/2020
Price: £12.99
Bookseller Reviews
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A statement....
This novella is an international bestseller. It literally sums up how women are treated in the male dominated society of Korea, in the workplace, in the fa... READ MORE
A touchstone...
I read this book with an increasing sense of disbelief and anger, as Nam-Joo charts the life and experiences of Kim Yijoung, an ordinary woman of South Kor... READ MORE
For every woman, about every woman.
Perfect read for international women's day, and a perfect book. The narration is special, curious: like a narrator who wants to give his opinion, but feels... READ MORE
Horrifying and honest
When I was describing this book to someone she said that a friend had once told her, ‘In the UK women have a glass ceiling, in Korea we have a glass coffin... READ MORE
Essential reading
You would be forgiven for mistaking this gem of a novel for non-fiction; Nam-Joo has written in a detached, almost clinical style, peppered with footnotes ... READ MORE
Utterly Real
I’ve been wanting to read this book for a while now since I heard of it’s viral and controversial status in South Korea when it first came out.
I finis... READ MORE
Devastating yet necessary...
For anyone who believes that feminism is no longer necessary or women have it easier than men now, Cho Nam-Joo's novella will hit you like a slap you in th... READ MORE
Equally entertaining and eye opening!
A very short read, that will keep you busy for a couple of hours, but whose content is very interesting and will make you reflect on our society and way of... READ MORE
Stoner for the #MeToo era
This is a quiet, subtle, heartbreaking book. Kim Jiyoung goes through her life trying to deal with setback after setback, snide comment after snide comment... READ MORE
An Important Must-Read
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
While the translation leaves us with very basic prose, Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 is a frank ... READ MORE
The soul-destroying reality of being born female
One of the sharpest, harshest, most devastating book I have ever read. "A slap in the face" could be one way of describing it and it is true, the blow is n... READ MORE
Unsettling
This description of life for an ordinary women in Korea is chilling. Essential reading for those interested in the feminist debate, the more powerful beca... READ MORE
Brilliant
I read this novella in one sitting and felt astonishment and anger at the treatment of women that Nam-Joo outlines.
The book is well written, and concise c... READ MORE
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982
A gripping and heartbreaking book exploring the misogyny in Korea through the life of one woman, showing how this patriarchal society impacts womanhood fro... READ MORE
An Incredible Literary Feat
I read this book in one sitting on a train, and it was incredible, the two-hour journey whizzed by as I was delved so deeply into the life of Kim Jiyoung! ... READ MORE
Required reading for everyone
Everyone needs to read this book immediately. An exquisitely written depiction of life as a woman in South Korea, told with a calm openness and honesty tha... READ MORE
Poignant and deeply relevant to women everywhere
Cho Nam-joo uses this fictional account of the life of Kim Jiyoung to explore what it means to be a woman in South Korea. Her use of footnoted articles and... READ MORE
Eye opening.
Short and succinct, this is a must read. Kim Jiyoung symbolises all Korean women, looking at the restraints and restrictions that are placed on their lives... READ MORE
Triggering
When I started reading this, I found the writing style underwhelming but I am reminded that it’s translated and the author’s flair was probably lost in tra... READ MORE
A very important statement is made here
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 is an eye opening novel about a woman’s life in Seoul, South Korea.
Kim Jiyoung is EVERY woman, because each woman faces similar ci... READ MORE
An important read
An important read full of emotion this book powerfully conveys the issues of sexism that many women have faced and still face in Korean society today. This... READ MORE
powerful
If I could describe this novella in one word, it would be 'angry'. Cho Nam-Joo's story of the everyday woman in Korea is a powerful exposé on systematic an... READ MORE
Synopsis
The multi-million copy selling, international bestseller.
Kim Jiyoung is a girl born to a mother whose in-laws wanted a boy.
Kim Jiyoung is a sister made to share a room while her brother gets one of his own.
Kim Jiyoung is a female preyed upon by male teachers at school. Kim Jiyoung is a daughter whose father blames her when she is harassed late at night.
Kim Jiyoung is a good student who doesn't get put forward for internships. Kim Jiyoung is a model employee but gets overlooked for promotion. Kim Jiyoung is a wife who gives up her career and independence for a life of domesticity.
Kim Jiyoung has started acting strangely.
Kim Jiyoung is depressed.
Kim Jiyoung is mad.
Kim Jiyoung is her own woman.
Kim Jiyoung is every woman.
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 is the South Korean sensation that has got the whole world talking. The life story of one young woman born at the end of the twentieth century raises questions about endemic misogyny and institutional oppression that are relevant to us all.
Riveting, original and uncompromising, this is the most important book to have emerged from South Korea since Han Kang's The Vegetarian.
Cover design may vary.
Publisher information
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd
- ISBN: 9781471184284
- Number of pages: 176
- Dimensions: 216 x 135 x 13 mm
Customer Reviews
View allOne of 2020's most important novels
To me this read like the blackest of jokes - a high-wire walk of a narrative, casually yet icily calling out all the ways in which the titular everywoman e... READ MORE
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982
Kim Jiyoung, the main character of the book, starts displaying some strange behaviour, to the consternation of her husband. She becomes another person, she... READ MORE
Korean bestseller
A brave, bold book that reveals the struggles of an ‘everywoman’ in modern Korea. Taking the form of a psychiatrist’s study of Kim Jiyoung, the book explor... READ MORE
Deeply thought provoking
This book is crafted incredibly. It is simply written yet hugely deep and insightful. It illustrates beautifully the complex relationships between generati... READ MORE
Once I got into it, I couldn't stop!
The novel focuses upon one woman's experiences navigating life in the 1980s to contemporary Korea, however, Kim Jiyoung could be any woman. Her experiences... READ MORE
quick read - but excellent
Thank you to the publishers for this review copy, I do love any insight into the Korean life (North or South).
This was an excellent read which I am certai... READ MORE
Deceptively unassuming, powerful writing
It took a little time to go with the form of the narrative here but I'm so glad I did. Kim Jiyoung's life is scrutinised in a quasi-detached, clinical way ... READ MORE
A must-read
I defy any woman to read this brilliant book without seething with injustice at the inequality that persists well into the 21st century. A fascinating insi... READ MORE
Incredible
"Women these days – what have you got to whine about?"
I don't think I've ever felt so apalled and infuriated when reading a book before. This book is abo... READ MORE
Fascinating but sad reflection of contemporary society
A fictional account of a 35 year old Korean woman, Kim Jiyoung – exploring her childhood, adolescence, through to marriage and motherhood. Kim Jiyoung’s li... READ MORE
Devastating story of being a woman in South Korea
I was absolutely devastated by this account of inter-generational gender discrimination in South Korea. It made me really grateful to be bringing up a daug... READ MORE
Disturbing and eye-opening
Kim Jiyoung, the main character of the book, starts displaying some strange behaviour, to the consternation of her husband. She becomes another person, she... READ MORE
Amazing
This is part novel, part autobiography or rather it feels that way as you read it, yes it’s fiction but it feels like you are reading someone’s life story,... READ MORE
Astonishing, finished this in one sitting
Wow, this book for me was worth every penny! I found reading this book I empathize with Kim Jiyoung and became increasingly frustrated at the way people sp... READ MORE
If you are not a feminist, read this, you'll become one
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Kim Jiyoung, born 1982.
It makes for an easy read, albeit an hard one.
Kim Jiyoung is definitely every woman, what she experie... READ MORE
A statement for women in South Korea
Cho Nam-Joo talks to your soul throughout this book. The stories protagonist is a women made for every women to identify with and highlights the gender ine... READ MORE
Universal
Grim and unfortunately extremely realistic. No matter where you’re from, you’ll be able to see yourself and relate to Jiyoung and the other women she tells... READ MORE
A Must Read!
I picked this up last week after hearing a very good review and I am so glad I did!
The writing is sharp and the story is told in such a brilliant manner,... READ MORE
great!!
i finished this far too quick for my own liking, it pulled me in and i couldn’t stop reading, i wish it ended on a good note.. it really kept me up at nigh... READ MORE
Emotionally destroying
i love this book theres no way to describe it
Under pressure, Korean style
The contemporary times seem to be filled with different methods of mental and physical coercions for the members of a society. Be it Western or Eastern. Sk... READ MORE
Devastating story of gender discrimination
I was absolutely devastated by this account of inter-generational gender discrimination in South Korea. It made me really grateful to be bringing up a daug... READ MORE
Utterly eye opening
I went into this book with no idea what to expect and came out of it with my mind blown. This book provides you with the experience women can face in South... READ MORE
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