Staff Pick
Offering both a window into a unique culture, and a universal call to arms, this novel follows a millennial Korean everywoman as she experiences the impacts of institutional sexism, rigidly gendered social roles, and casual misogyny. The effects on her are both sadly predictable and utterly unexpected. Recommended By Keith M., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
In a small, tidy apartment on the outskirts of the frenzied metropolis of Seoul, Kim Jiyoung--a millennial "everywoman"--spends 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 women--dead and alive, both known and unknown to her. Truly, flawlessly, completely, she became that very person. As she plunges deeper into this psychosis, Jiyoung's concerned husband sends her to a psychiatrist, who listens to her narrate her own life story--from 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 women's 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.
Synopsis
Truly, flawlessly, completely, she became that person.
In a small, tidy apartment on the outskirts of the frenzied metropolis of Seoul lives Kim Jiyoung. A thirtysomething-year-old "millennial everywoman," she has recently left her white-collar desk job--in order to care for her newborn daughter full-time--as so many Korean women are expected to do. But she quickly begins to exhibit strange symptoms that alarm her husband, parents, and in-laws: Jiyoung impersonates the voices of other women--alive and even dead, both known and unknown to her. As she plunges deeper into this psychosis, her discomfited husband sends her to a male psychiatrist.
In a chilling, eerily truncated third-person voice, Jiyoung's entire life is recounted to the psychiatrist--a narrative infused with disparate elements of frustration, perseverance, and submission. Born in 1982 and given the most common name for Korean baby girls, Jiyoung quickly becomes the unfavored sister to her princeling little brother. Always, her behavior is policed by the male figures around her--from the elementary school teachers who enforce strict uniforms for girls, to the coworkers who install a hidden camera in the women's restroom and post their photos online. In her father's eyes, it is Jiyoung's fault that men harass her late at night; in her husband's eyes, it is Jiyoung's duty to forsake her career to take care of him and their child--to put them first.
Jiyoung's painfully common life is juxtaposed against a backdrop of an advancing Korea, as it abandons "family planning" birth control policies and passes new legislation against gender discrimination. But can her doctor flawlessly, completely cure her, or even discover what truly ails her?
Rendered in minimalist yet lacerating prose, Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 sits at the center of our global #MeToo movement and announces the arrival of writer of international significance.
Synopsis
Longlisted - National Book Award (Translated Literature)
Vulture - Best Books of the Year (So Far)
A New York Times Editors Choice Selection
A fierce international bestseller that launched Korea's new feminist movement,
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 follows one woman's psychic deterioration in the face of rigid misogyny.
Synopsis
Longlisted - National Book Award (Translated Literature)
TIME Magazine - 100 Must-Read Books of 2020
Vulture - Best Books of the Year (So Far)
A New York Times Editors Choice Selection
A fierce international bestseller that launched Korea's new feminist movement,
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 follows one woman's psychic deterioration in the face of rigid misogyny.
Synopsis
Longlisted - National Book Award (Translated Literature)
A New York Times Notable Book of 2020 and Editors' Choice Selection
Best Books of 2020 -- TIME Magazine, Chicago Public Library
Vulture - Best Books of the Year (So Far)
A fierce international bestseller that launched Korea's new feminist movement,
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 follows one woman's psychic deterioration in the face of rigid misogyny.