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literatureaesthetic 's review for:
If I Had Your Face
by Frances Cha
Rating: ★★★★☆
This book deals with so many different topics surrounding Korean womanhood. From sexism, to motherhood, to the toxic beauty culture, to kpop... This book encapsulates what it means to be a woman in Korea.
It follows 4 different women, who all live in the same apartment complex in Seoul. I loved how flawed these women are (flawed characters are always my fav). These women were arrogant and judgemental, others are cruel, some were self-absorbed...... but I loved that Frances Cha conveys that they're only this way because they live in a patriarchal society that is constantly pitching women against one another. The way that Frances Cha explained the harsh and difficult societal and cultural norms was masterful. From women having to do everything they can to satisfy and appeal to men, to the financial struggles, the extreme misogyny and sexism, the lengths women will go to achieve "beauty".... the harsh reality of Korean culture was both shocking and eye-opening.
I also really loved that no matter all the struggles, pain and suffering these 4 women go though, they stick together. They support one another. And as always with relationships, there are ups and downs, but they fight through them. These women were so strong and fierce and they supported one another through some difficult shit, and I think that's such an important and powerful message. After reading this, you can't help but feel so much admiration and respect for Korean women.
I adored this book. If I had one critique, it would be that maybe Frances Cha was attempting to do too much for a 270 book? I think there were maybe one too many topics that Frances Cha was trying to discuss and raise awareness about. At times, it did feel as though the Frances had squeezed and compressed so many different topics into this short book, that it seemed slightly constricted or cramped. But again, these are issues that need to be discussed and so I really can't fault Frances Cha at all.
I think this book was amazing, and I'm so glad to have read it!!
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This book deals with so many different topics surrounding Korean womanhood. From sexism, to motherhood, to the toxic beauty culture, to kpop... This book encapsulates what it means to be a woman in Korea.
It follows 4 different women, who all live in the same apartment complex in Seoul. I loved how flawed these women are (flawed characters are always my fav). These women were arrogant and judgemental, others are cruel, some were self-absorbed...... but I loved that Frances Cha conveys that they're only this way because they live in a patriarchal society that is constantly pitching women against one another. The way that Frances Cha explained the harsh and difficult societal and cultural norms was masterful. From women having to do everything they can to satisfy and appeal to men, to the financial struggles, the extreme misogyny and sexism, the lengths women will go to achieve "beauty".... the harsh reality of Korean culture was both shocking and eye-opening.
I also really loved that no matter all the struggles, pain and suffering these 4 women go though, they stick together. They support one another. And as always with relationships, there are ups and downs, but they fight through them. These women were so strong and fierce and they supported one another through some difficult shit, and I think that's such an important and powerful message. After reading this, you can't help but feel so much admiration and respect for Korean women.
I adored this book. If I had one critique, it would be that maybe Frances Cha was attempting to do too much for a 270 book? I think there were maybe one too many topics that Frances Cha was trying to discuss and raise awareness about. At times, it did feel as though the Frances had squeezed and compressed so many different topics into this short book, that it seemed slightly constricted or cramped. But again, these are issues that need to be discussed and so I really can't fault Frances Cha at all.
I think this book was amazing, and I'm so glad to have read it!!
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