Book Club- Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982
Our latest book club read was Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo. This novel takes place in South Korea, with Kim Jiyoung as the main character. It tells the story of the struggles of being a woman in Korean culture. How unfairly she was treated growing up compared to her younger brother and all the other ways she had to deal with misogyny.
While I am sure you can really relate to this book if you are a Korean woman born before 1990, I think any woman can relate to it. Whether it’s all the crap we put up with in the workforce, or struggling to be a working mom, or just the day-to-day reminder that life is so different moving through the world as a woman than as a man.
I really enjoyed the book, although I wished it was longer. At less than 200 pages, I would’ve liked more added maybe from a different perspective or voice. That being said, it is a quick read which I think can make it appealing for some.
The next book we’ll be reading is Pride (my choice!) by Ibi Zoboi. As always, you can check out all the other books we’ve read on my Book Club Pinterest board.
Have any of you read Kim Jiyoung, or Pride? I’d love to know what you thought!