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Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982: A Novel
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982: A Novel | Cho Nam-Joo
27 posts | 26 read | 49 to read
The runaway bestseller that helped launch Koreas new feminist movement, Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 follows one womans psychic deterioration in the face of rigid misogyny. In a small, tidy apartment on the outskirts of the frenzied metropolis of Seoul, Kim Jiyounga millennial everywomanspends her days caring for her infant daughter. Her husband, however, worries over a strange symptom that has recently appeared: Jiyoung has begun to impersonate the voices of other womendead and alive, both known and unknown to her. Truly, flawlessly, completely, she became that very person. As she plunges deeper into this psychosis, Jiyoungs concerned husband sends her to a psychiatrist, who listens to her narrate her own life storyfrom her birth to a family who expected a son, to elementary school teachers who policed girls outfits, to male coworkers who installed hidden cameras in womens restrooms and posted the photos online. But can her doctor cure her, or even discover what truly ails her? Rendered in eerie prose, Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 announces the arrival of a major international writer.
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BibliophileLibrarian
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Reading this book for work‘s book club. Laying with my husband and puppy dog. My husband was kind enough to listen to a show with headphones so we can sit together as a family while we each did what we love to do.

Aims42 Love this! My hubby also rocks the headphones if we‘re doing some separate but together hobby time 🎧🤩 1mo
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 1mo
19 likes2 comments
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PuddleJumper
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#Alphabetgame #LetterK

I haven't read many K books so this one wins because it's not King of Ithaca

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you for playing!! 2y
17 likes1 comment
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OutAndAbout
Panpan

This wasn‘t for me. I think much may have been lost in translation.

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nikirtehsuxlol
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One of the non graphic novels I got from my library haul today

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Dalaine
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Pickpick

This book explores the history of Jiyoung, a new married mother. It starts with her experiencing moments of disassociation and ending up at a psychiatrist. It explores the subtle and not-so-subtle ways that sexism shows up in the lives of Korean women. It's a quick but heartbreaking read.

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Liz_M
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Pickpick

Told as an “everyman” story of a woman‘s life in South Korea, it enumerates the effects of sexism on a typical woman. The book begins by presenting the main character as undergoing some kind of dissociative disorder, with spooky overtones, but flashing back to the past, told in a matter-of-fact manner, didn‘t end up at the beginning in convincing manner; the intriguing start doesn‘t go anywhere. and the tonal shift precludes an emotional response.

Librarybelle I‘ve seen lots of good things about this one! Glad it was a 3 star for you! 3y
BarbaraBB I agree it didn‘t add up sufficiently. Love your view - again! 3y
See All 6 Comments
Cathythoughts Great picture 👏🏻👏🏻 3y
Liz_M @BarbaraBB Mom's lake cabin is quite photogenic. ☺️ 3y
32 likes1 stack add6 comments
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LadyCait84
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Pickpick

Though largely written with a crisp, matter-of-fact tone, the entire book vibrates with justifiable rage. It‘s more of a life overview than a story, & is intentionally written with sparse characterization (likely to make it easy for readers to see themselves in Jiyoung), so the minimalist style might not be for everyone. But the book is fierce in its trueness & as illuminating as it is infuriating. Ideal for those ready to rail against misogyny.

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PNWBookseller85
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Pickpick

Part novel part essay about what it means to be a woman in Korea. It‘s fascinating and heartbreaking and also incredibly familiar and relatable. A quick, but important read.

83 likes1 stack add
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Shievad
Pickpick

Couldn‘t put it down! Short book. Enjoyed the style. The author does a great job of weaving all the tiny little ways (and big ways) women are discriminated against, harassed, victim blamed, and policed by society and society‘s double standard for men and women into a novel. Yes, it‘s written about Korean society but will resonate with women everywhere because unfortunately there is still a lot more work to be done for women‘s equality everywhere.

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Ruthiella
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Pickpick

A pick with reservations. It‘s short (163 pages on kindle) and it kept my interest. But it felt at times a little like a novelization of a Wikipedia page. If the reader wants a quick historical summary of sexism and misogyny in South Korea, it‘s perfect. Also, much of the appalling attitudes and behaviors exhibited in the novel will not be unlike many women‘s experiences in the world, unfortunately.

#20in4 Book One

35 likes1 stack add
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bio_chem06
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This was a read in one day kind of book.... wow

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Bertha_Mason
Mehso-so

Extremely didactic in a way I've outgrown, though I'm glad it resonated with so many women and did some social good.

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mhillis
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Pickpick

5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Structured around the stages of Jiyoung‘s life, Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 seamlessly mixes fiction and footnotes. I couldn‘t stop reading it!

The book and movie have been popular in Japan
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20201019/p2a/00m/0dm/018000c

#ReadingAsia2021 #Slumpathon #JoyousJanuary

BarbaraBB What an interesting article! 3y
Librarybelle Awesome! Glad you really liked this one! 3y
68 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Cinfhen
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Pickpick

Well that was probably the quickest #NonBuddyRead I ever participated in😉I think my expectations were overly inflated for this slim book. While it does pack a solid punch and makes lots of really compelling and infuriating observations about modern Korea, it wasn‘t the read I was anticipating. Interesting blend of facts ( told in footnotes) and fiction. Parts of this book reads like a memoir, so I‘m using this for #PoP21 #GenreHybrid 👇🏼

BarbaraBB So we tackled the same pop prompt on the first day of the year. What are the odds! I agree with your review. Good not great! 3y
Cinfhen Thanks @BarbaraBB we‘re off to a GREAT start xxxx 3y
See All 7 Comments
Cinfhen Anyone looking to #SwapMe ?!?!?? 3y
Librarybelle Wow! Off to an amazing start! 3y
alisiakae You‘re on 🔥with checking off the prompts! 3y
rockpools 👏👏👏 I was waiting til I *actually* started before I read your review. Not what I was expecting either - it‘s a strange one- but I‘m loving the detail. And that I‘m going to cross off some prompts 😸 3y
91 likes1 stack add7 comments
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Cinfhen
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Sharing my #LastFirst @BookNAround
My last is Gods of Gotham - good HF
My #FirstRead will be a #NonBuddyRead with my buddies @squirrelbrain @rockpools
Excited to kickstart 2021 ♥️

rockpools Yay! I‘m looking forward to it 😊 3y
Cinfhen Me toooooooo @rockpools 🤗🤗🤗 3y
63 likes2 comments
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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

This book detailing the life of Kim Jiyoung is brutal in its straightforward depiction of ingrained, systemic sexism. Clearly things are worse for women in South Korea than the US, but I saw echoes of my own reality throughout her story. This is unvarnished, terrific storytelling.

Megabooks Great review! 3y
CoveredInRust I just bought this book. Looking forward to it! 3y
47 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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tholmz
Pickpick

Really enjoyed this smart and impressive novel.

9 likes1 stack add
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Settings
Pickpick

Friend gave me this to read. Very short, but difficult to read because of the injustice faced by the main character. Found it similar to The Vegetarian.

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Cinfhen
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Congrats to @Texreader on reaching a GIANT Litsy milestone 🎉💕🎉💕I‘ve enjoyed your recommendations over the years especially for #ReadingEurope2020😊At the moment I‘m most curious about the tagged book ...total #FOMO ESPECIALLY when @Reggie writes such a compelling review😁Thanks for the opportunity to share in #KarensGiveaway

BarbaraBB He is so convincing 😀 3y
TrishB Got this on 99p offer last week 👍🏻 3y
Megabooks Oh yeah, this is a good one! 3y
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Reggie I hope you like it @Cinfhen! @TrishB I‘m not sure whether it will make your head explode in anger or you‘ll cry. Maybe both. 3y
Cinfhen I couldn‘t wait @Megabooks @Reggie @TrishB @BarbaraBB I ordered it 🙊arrives tomorrow 🙈 3y
BarbaraBB 😂😂 it‘s a good sign after your ‘slump‘ of the past few days! (edited) 3y
Texreader Thank you for entering! Is this the book you ordered? Do you want to enter with a different book? 3y
Cinfhen Thanks @Texreader you‘re so sweet...I‘d like to switch it to this book 👉 3y
Cinfhen I‘m in SUCH a SLUMP @BarbaraBB I can barely focus on a blurb...I‘m not sure what‘s causing my #ReadingAnxiety 🤷🏼‍♀️ (edited) 3y
BarbaraBB Probably travelling under these weird scary circumstances.. I hope you are able to relax now that you‘re with your family and with a book you are dying for 😘😀 3y
Cinfhen 🤞🏽🤞🏽 @BarbaraBB How‘s your son feeling?? What‘s the vibe like on your side of the world?? (edited) 3y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen Numbers are high here so we‘re back to a semi lockdown. It‘s the same in most European countries: younger people get ill know and spread it. Fortunately hospital rates are much more onset control, less serious cases it seems or better meds. My son is doing well and he didn‘t spread it so we are lucky 🍀 3y
Cinfhen Glad your son is feeling well and everyone is healthy @BarbaraBB 3y
60 likes13 comments
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BarbaraBB
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You are totally to blame for this purchase, @Reggie 💛

Cinfhen Great photo and if @Reggie suggested it‘s probably amazing 3y
Tanisha_A Hahaha! I did too and blamed Reggie 3y
Cathythoughts Sounds brilliant! Stacked 3y
See All 10 Comments
Reggie I hope you like it! 3y
BarbaraBB @Reggie I‘ll read it soon! 3y
Megabooks It‘s a fantastic book! 3y
BarbaraBB @Megabooks You‘ve already read it? I missed that somehow 💕 3y
Megabooks @BarbaraBB yes, here‘s a link. https://litsy.com/p/SjFWanNKa3Ax looking back, it‘s a straightforward review. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I read it based on @nelehelen ‘s #ownvoices review both here and on Instagram. 3y
BarbaraBB @Megabooks Your review makes me want to read it even more! 3y
nelehelen Thank you for the shoutout!! 3y
66 likes1 stack add10 comments
review
Reggie
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Pickpick

Jiyoung has started to mentally break after the birth of her first child and leaving her job. The author takes us to the beginning of Jiyoung‘s life and shows us how misogyny no matter how big or small a form it takes can chip and chip and chip away at a woman until it feels like there‘s nothing left. Nam-Joo even cites gender studies while telling this tale. I really feel like this could be the next classic feminist book. Super pick!

BarbaraBB Fab review. I am super intrigued now! 3y
LeahBergen Great review! 3y
See All 19 Comments
BiblioLitten Wonderful review! 3y
JenniferTapler Oooh, sounds good! Added to my TBR list! Thanks! 3y
saresmoore I‘m so in. 3y
Reggie @BarbaraBB @LeahBergen @MicheleinPhilly @BiblioLitten @JenniferTapler @saresmoore if you‘re up to going on YouTube go see The Poptomist review of this book. There he talks about how Jiyoung is basically like the Jane Doe name of SK. How when they made a movie of this there were petitions by men to the president not to let it be released. How a KPop Star said she read it on her instagram and was trashed by a lot of males. The story is specific to 3y
Reggie SK but we all know unfortunately misogyny is universal. Hope ya‘ll like it. 3y
Tanisha_A Wow. Listen. I am going to buy it today. 3y
youneverarrived Great review! Looking forward to reading this! 3y
batsy Wow to this review and also about the reaction the SK men had to this book. Pretty sure that's how it would play out in my country, too. Would add it to my tbr if it wasn't already in! 3y
Suet624 Now I need to go find this immediately. Staying at ex‘s house while I work on the elections has allowed me to see more clearly the messages I lived with for 20+ years. 3y
JenniferTapler @batsy yeah, there are plenty of men (sadly maybe even some women) in the US who would react the same as well. @Reggie is right - misogyny knows no borders! (edited) 3y
Centique Stacked for sure! So glad this got published seeing the push back was that fierce. ✊ 3y
Reggie @batsy @Centique @Suet624 it‘s a simple story that doesn‘t really ask much of you but my goodness, it‘s sooo good. I think any woman could identify with some part of Jiyoung. I read about a popular alt-right woman from Canada who backed away from the movement because of the sexism, and totally thought of this book. 3y
erzascarletbookgasm Great review, Reggie! 👍 If you have not read If I Had Your Face, I recommend it. I liked it better than this. 😊 3y
truthinfiction Your review inspired me to get my hands on this book ASAP! Much love! 💓 3y
Reggie @erzascarletbookgasm Thanks, Jessie! I will give that one a shot.😊 3y
Reggie @bookstea Thanks so much! I hope you like it! 3y
68 likes11 stack adds19 comments
blurb
Luulit
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https://www.luulit.com/product/kim-jiyoung-born-1982-a-novel-audible-audiobook-u...

Vulture Best Books of the Year (So Far)

A New York Times Editors Choice Selection

A fierce international best seller that launched Korea‘s new feminist movement, Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 follows one woman‘s psychic deterioration in the face of rigid misogyny.

Truly, flawlessly, completely, she became that person.

review
mdemanatee
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Pickpick

I can definitely understand the articles I‘ve read crediting this work for spurring conversations around feminism in South Korea.

15 likes2 stack adds
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Megabooks
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Pickpick

I thought American Millennial women had it bad until I read this novel based on national facts & statistics about a Korean Millennial woman.

The book looks back at the life and contributing factors of a young mother‘s psychotic break. While many milestones and difficulties will be familiar to Americans, the degree of difficulty Jiyoung faces is greater, IMO. Great twist at the end!

#bookspinbingo my card @TheAromaofBooks 👍🏻💖

TheAromaofBooks One checked off already! I'm so impressed!!! 4y
Emilymdxn This is one of the best books I‘ve read so far this year! I‘m obsessed with it 4y
Megabooks @Emilymdxn it really is an interesting premise. In a way, she‘s everyone. 4y
83 likes2 stack adds4 comments
review
nelehelen
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Pickpick

4/5
Feminist novella about the life of a typical woman in a deeply patriarchal society of South Korea. While I did not grow up in Korea, I was raised in a very traditional “Korean” mindset where women should be quiet, follow orders and support men, and thus, can relate to the MC on many levels. There were cultural nuances that got lost in translation which made this novel feel distant and dry. Still, I found it to be powerful.

#arc #netgalley

29 likes1 stack add
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Well-ReadNeck
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Pickpick

MY FAVORITE BOOK OF 2020 SO FAR!!!!

One of those reads that make you feel not so alone. #Edelweiss #arc

britt_brooke Such an interesting cover. Stacking after your high praise! 4y
erzascarletbookgasm I just bought this but with a different cover (yellow cover). Can‘t wait to read it. 4y
JennyM Eeekk....stacking immediately 👏🏼 4y
See All 6 Comments
batsy I've been very curious about this! Drawn to that cover @erzascarletbookgasm 4y
Kalalalatja I hadn‘t even heard of it, but I‘m stacking! 4y
PNWBookseller85 I have an ARC of this. Been meaning to get to it. Moving it up the list now! 4y
100 likes16 stack adds6 comments
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Liberty
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My vacation is almost over! I spent a lot of it…well...doing work to get ahead. I am bad at vacation, lol. But this afternoon I am going to relax and read books! Starting with this one, because I like to squeeze in slim books at the end of the year. I won‘t know until tomorrow afternoon what my last read of the year (and decade) will be. Do you know what your last book of 2019 is going to be? 📚⏳📚

Librariana Mine will be "Almost Midnight" by Rainbow Rowell ??? 4y
NovelGirl82 I‘ve decided that I want to make sure that I end the decade on a book that I love, so I‘m re-reading Emma. 💚 4y
BookNotes Not a clue. 🙂 4y
Bibliogirl My last book of 2019/first book of 2020 is Gideon the Ninth. Great end to a year that, in most spheres outside of books, has left a lot to be desired. 4y
85 likes2 stack adds5 comments