Noora and I had a lot of thoughts after finishing this book and so I've compiled our final thoughts below.
Maro: Cha portrays the glimmering world of South Korean beauty standards in all of its grotesque glory. My favorite part of her writing was how explicitly she was willing to discuss the realities of low income women and the absolute shit they endured. Through her vivid characters, Cha uncovers the deeply rooted seeds of the patriarchy, its influence on the sex work industry, and the general pressure put on women's looks. Piece by piece, the readers discover the many flaws of the main characters and the different ways trauma shaped their life. The writing in itself is incredibly easy to read and yet compelling in its simplicity. However, my only tiny critique is that Wonna's character arc felt incomplete and like it was being used to further the plot line without giving it the attention it deserved. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
⭐⭐⭐⭐4 /5
Noora: Cha uncovers the shiny facade of South Korean culture usually depicted in popular media, revealing patriarchal attitudes and a Korean capitalist society that thrives on a rigid class system and consumerism. The patriarchal structure that constructs the ideology of "Korean Women," based on harsh cultural norms of strict beauty standards, also highlights the continued marginalization of women elsewhere. Although these women were quite flawed, they were both realistic and fascinating, and I was compelled by their friendships and solidarity. Cha's writing is basic; however, it's gripping and poignant, leaving me perhaps overly attached to these characters. My biggest issue with this book is that it felt rushed. Key events were quickly glossed over, character arcs, mainly Wonna's, felt unfinished, and the ending was underwhelming. However, I still enjoyed Cha's insight into Korean culture, and I'm excited to see if a sequel might be in the pipeline.
⭐⭐⭐3.7 /5
Thus concludes our first book club pick! Stay tuned for the announcement of our next one💫
Let us know what you thought and make sure to follow us on Instagram for more book content :)
Maro: Cha portrays the glimmering world of South Korean beauty standards in all of its grotesque glory. My favorite part of her writing was how explicitly she was willing to discuss the realities of low income women and the absolute shit they endured. Through her vivid characters, Cha uncovers the deeply rooted seeds of the patriarchy, its influence on the sex work industry, and the general pressure put on women's looks. Piece by piece, the readers discover the many flaws of the main characters and the different ways trauma shaped their life. The writing in itself is incredibly easy to read and yet compelling in its simplicity. However, my only tiny critique is that Wonna's character arc felt incomplete and like it was being used to further the plot line without giving it the attention it deserved. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
⭐⭐⭐⭐4 /5
Noora: Cha uncovers the shiny facade of South Korean culture usually depicted in popular media, revealing patriarchal attitudes and a Korean capitalist society that thrives on a rigid class system and consumerism. The patriarchal structure that constructs the ideology of "Korean Women," based on harsh cultural norms of strict beauty standards, also highlights the continued marginalization of women elsewhere. Although these women were quite flawed, they were both realistic and fascinating, and I was compelled by their friendships and solidarity. Cha's writing is basic; however, it's gripping and poignant, leaving me perhaps overly attached to these characters. My biggest issue with this book is that it felt rushed. Key events were quickly glossed over, character arcs, mainly Wonna's, felt unfinished, and the ending was underwhelming. However, I still enjoyed Cha's insight into Korean culture, and I'm excited to see if a sequel might be in the pipeline.
⭐⭐⭐3.7 /5
Thus concludes our first book club pick! Stay tuned for the announcement of our next one💫
Let us know what you thought and make sure to follow us on Instagram for more book content :)