This was a powerful & thought-provoking novel exploring the experiences of women in South Korea. It explores the gender inequality & societal expectations.

The story follows the life of Kim Jiyoung, an ordinary woman whose experiences mirror those of countless others. I was sad, horrified, & enraged while reading this. The injustice made my blood boil. Shocking realization was that the situation faced by women isn't very different around the globe. The sexism, harassment at every turn, the wage gap, and the stifling pressure to conform faced by Jiyoung shows us the uncomfortable truths about the world we inhabit.

Throughout the book, we see how Jiyoung loses parts of herself to teachers, friends, marriage, & children until only a shell of her old self remains. The cover image symbolizes this erosion of identity.

Not surprisingly, some older women perpetuate the harmful norms. They know only what they have experienced. The book sheds light on this internalized misogyny. Men in powerful positions like bosses, teachers, & fathers exhibit double standards. Women are denied equal treatment & recognition as fellow human beings.

I noticed that the male characters except her husband remain nameless. This could be intentional to emphasize the universality of the issue.

Jiyoung rarely showed emotion. She bottled up her feelings about the injustice without expressing them like her sister. I feel that this led to the eventual breakdown.

The writing style is straightforward & unembellished. It contrasts with the complex emotions & issues explored here. This style helped to horrify the reader more.

The psychiatrist’s notes at the end weren't seamlessly integrated into the overall story. The conclusion feels sudden & detached from the rest of the narrative. It leaves readers with a sense of incompleteness.

Despite the ending, this was an impactful read. It is a call to action highlighting the urgent need for change. It is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of gender dynamics.
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