Frances ChaBesprekingen

Sharp hard commentary, I appreciate who was centered and who was marginalized, and by the end I was truly invested in these characters. I want to know where they are now. Oh I know some people read for that, but I don't, so well done bringing me in.

A thoroughly engrossing and superbly written novel! I devoured this in a couple sittings-there was never an uninteresting moment. "If I Had Your Face" follows the lives of 5 young women (4 have POVs) living in modern South Korea in the same apartment building. Each are dealing with the stresses of being a woman and the, more often than not, unfair expectations placed upon them. They are expected to dress, act, look, talk, walk, work, and marry all in very specific ways, and not doing so throws them further into the cutthroat society where they are picked apart or discarded entirely.

I recently had read Robin Ha's autobiographical graphic memoir, "Almost American Girl", and wanted to learn more about life in South Korea, and I thought this was an astoundingly intimate and insightful look into what it's like. Although I knew a little bit about things such as emphasis on plastic surgery and idol obsession, there was so much more I didn't know about or even consider, like how maternity leave is viewed in comparison to the USA, about the room salons like where Kyrui works, and how the adult-child relationships vary. All of this info, in addition to Cha's writing style, made the book super immersive.

(minor spoiler warnings for this paragraph)
My favorite aspect of the book was the friendship that grows between the women. Although at times it is tenuous, it is written with such heart and ferocity! Cha really does a wonderful job at showing the ups and downs of friendship, and that beautiful bond of girls looking out for each other. Each of these women to some extent have experienced that dread of feeling like they have an "expiration date", a time when society will deem them too far gone or too old or too saggy to be worth anything, but ultimately they find comfort, solidity, and happiness in each other, and I LOVE that. I love that the toxic men in each of their lives were shed by the end of the novel and they instead were brought closer to one another.

I would have loved another 100 or so pages in the book, especially because a couple of the arcs felt a TEENY bit unfinished. Overall a little more meat on this books bones would have paid off, but the story is still SO well done. Plus, Cha also made it pretty obvious how things were going to work out so I'm satisfied with that ending! (although I would have loved to see Miho finish her revenge)
"If I Had Your Face" is an absolute recommend from me, and I can't wait to see what Cha does next. I'll definitely be reading it.

This book

Excuse me while I go cry because this book crushed me but also made me hopeful.

Loved this story and the characters.

Very well written. I just wished it wouldn’t have ended so abruptly. It left me wanting.I found myself rooting and weeping for the young women. I love stories of women caring and taking care of one another. I wish we did that more in real life. Definitely worth the read.

3.5

I think If I Had Your Face is beautifully written and discusses numerous topics everyone should be aware of. But I also think it juggles more than it needed to. If it would have solely focused on a few topics instead of a whole bundle of them I think I would have been more invested in the overall story.

I read this in one sitting, engrossed by the web of the young women's secret pasts and secret longings. So much of this was a foreign culture, mixed in with the relatable, familiar worries about money and appearance for a completely compelling story. I was almost annoyed when it finished because I desperately wanted to know what happened next in the office-tel.

Read my full review

This book is a sad, scary commentary on life in a patriarchal society. For women, plastic surgery to meet standards of beauty is as routine as dental check-ups. The book has been described as a feminist novel, showing the power of female friendships. It is not. Women in this society are competitive and, except for the relationship between Ara and Suijin, show no deep or lasting bonds. This is tribalism -- Lord of the Flies came to mind more than once.

What I am left wondering is whether this is a realistic portrayal of modern Korean society. If so, the book would have some merit. If not, it is an insult to everything modern feminism has tried to instill.

The writing is good, although it "stops" more than "ends".½

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher via Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

Could not put this down. Highly recommend reading it.

This novel follows the stories of five women living in a cheap apartment building in Seoul. Each young woman struggles to find success and contentment in a society where appearance, family and wealth matter, and each has issues from their past that define them. One has put herself into debt getting the plastic surgery that allows her to work at an exclusive "room-salon" entertaining wealthy men. Another is determined to get the plastic surgery in order to improve her job prospects, but it doesn't go the way she had anticipated. An aspiring artist has a dream boyfriend, but is he as good as he seems? A hairstylist deals with the challenges of her disability while putting all her emotions into a member of a Kpop group. And Wonna, newly married, just wants a baby.

Cha has written a fascinating story about beauty standards that make plastic surgery as routine as moisturizer, where if you are not part of a wealthy family, your life choices are restricted and where women must bend themselves to fit into a patriarchal society. Cha here is writing about Korean culture and society specifically for western readers, explaining elements of Korean culture that western readers might be unfamiliar with in a way that feels unobtrusive. I very much enjoyed each woman's story, but because there were so many main characters, each story felt a little skimpier than I would have liked. Still, this was a well-written and structured debut novel and I'll be very interested to see what Cha writes next.

If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha is a study of a small group of Korean women and their society. After Googling, I find that everyone knows that Korea is the plastic surgery capital of the world. I'd already known about eyelid surgery, but apparently, double jaw surgery is a pretty popular thing too. Of course, I had to google before and after pictures. Wow, you know how before and after pictures of nose jobs barely show a change. Well, jaw surgery is a whole different kind of intervention making masculine-looking square-jawed women into heart-faced beauties. Now every time I see one of that type of face I'm going to wonder about the pain behind it. There's lots of pain in this book along with delicately growing relationships, misogyny, and class distinction.½

The whole time while I was reading this book, I couldn't shake the feeling that I'm reading a dystopian sci-fi novel. The characters seemed like they were from a different world and though some of their struggles were very common: poverty and family, the way they chose to deal with them was like nothing I had experienced. This was overall a very quick and grabbing read and I appreciated the new perspective, even while finding it shocking and foreign.

Young Korean Womens' life pressures.½

If I Had Your Face is a book I saw on many ‘best of 2020’ lists by people whose bookish opinions I respect. I was at a bit of a loss as to what to read, so I thought I’d try this. Then a snap lockdown occurred and I lost interest in reading anything except news for a couple of days. Coming back to this book was like reuniting with someone from ‘before’ with a sense of familiarity. While I enjoyed it, I didn’t spectacularly fall in love. There was a lot of characters and a lot to get through, so some parts of the plot didn’t get as much page time as I’d like.

Set in South Korea, the book is about four women in live in the same apartment building in Seoul. Three are single and good friends and the fourth is married and pregnant. Wonna has her own problems with her workplace and her husband and doesn’t begin to interact with the others until a moment of need later in the book. Kyuri works as a room girl at a top room salon – kind of like a hard drinking geisha meets top call girl. She’s worked very hard to get where she is, including extensive plastic surgery but she learns that it’s tough to be a real person in her job. Miho is an orphan whose artistic skills have taken her to New York and back. She now has a wealthy boyfriend and her own studio, but at what cost? Ara is a hairdresser who is mute and deeply into a particular K-Pop artist. There is also Sujin, Ara’s flatmate and old friend who wants to become a room girl.

In this frantic world, it’s all about money and beauty. You can never have too much of either. But it’s also about class and where you come from. None of the women have the required pedigree to be part of the true top class but for some of them, they are trying to reach it through work or association. There is also a darker side of violence between teenagers and later, between grown women. Even when there is no physical violence on the page, there is always an eerie threat lurking in the background. Seoul is painted as a ruthless city where everyone is trying to be richer, smarter and more beautiful in a particular kind of way. Even Miho is told not to cut her hair as she’s the poster girl for the university her studio is at. The only thing that defies the narrow boundaries of what is acceptable is the friendship between the women. They’ve all been through a lot, either alone or together, and they will fight to keep each other’s heads above water.

If I Had Your Face is much more character driven than plot driven. It’s like this is an episode of the characters’ lives the reader has been invited to watch for a certain period of time. Some plot threads are not tied up in as much detail as others Overall the message of a toxic culture comes through strongly, as does the importance of having friends who keep it real.

http://samstillreading.wordpress.com½

“Most people have no capacity for comprehending true darkness, and then they try to fix it anyway.”
― Frances Cha, If I Had Your Face

I can't believe that this is actually Frances Cha's first novel! 'If I Had Your Face' is a beautifully crafted masterpiece that I read in a few sittings, I literally could not put it down (and even missed my bus stop which resulted in my poor partner having to come and collect me miles from home). If you're intrigued by South Korean culture I'd highly recommend this book as Frances Cha does such a good job of immersing you into this world she keenly hits on the brutal side of this materialistic society where people are heavily judged on their family rank, wealth and looks. It's told from the perspective of four female characters, Miho, Ara, Kyuri, and Wonna each with very different and complex stories that are so richly told with words so carefully chosen that they will remain forever etched in my heart.

I can't recommend this book enough, it's a new favourite and I'm so unbelievably thankful to a regular customer who thought it might be up my alley and lent it to me. It's my favourite read of 2020 so far!

One of those books where seemingly not much happened, and yet I couldn’t stop reading.

Fünf junge Frauen wohnen in einem Apartmentblock im Seouler Stadtteil Gangnam. Kyuri verdient ihr Geld als Begleitdame in einem angesehenen Salon, der zu den Top 10 gehört, d.h. nur die schönsten Mädchen der Stadt beschäftigt, die reichen Businessmännern Gesellschaft leisten und dafür mit Alkohol abgefüllt werden. Miho, mit der sie das Zimmer teilt, ist eine talentierte Kunststudentin, die sich schon immer fehl am Platz fühlte. Nachdem sie dem Waisenhaus entwachsen war, hatte sie das Glück in New York studieren zu können, wo sie auf die Kinder der koreanischen Oberschicht traf, mit denen sie kaum etwas gemein hatte. Ara ist eine herausragende Hairstylistin, nach einem schrecklichen Erlebnis jedoch ist sie verstummt und flüchtet sich in eine K-Pop Traumwelt. Ihre beste Freundin Sujin träumt davon nach zahlreichen Schönheitsoperationen endlich einen vermeintlich glamourösen Job wie jenen von Kyuri zu bekommen. Unter ihnen wohnt Wonna, sie ist bereits verheiratet und wartet sehnsüchtig darauf, endlich schwanger zu werden – ein Traum, den kaum eine junge Koreanerin noch träumt.

Frances Cha erlaubt in ihrem Debut einen Blick in eine völlig fremde Welt, deren Werte und Ideale nicht nur sehr weit von unserem Alltag entfernt sind, sondern die selbst auch zerrissen sind zwischen Tradition und Moderne. Es entsteht der Eindruck einer Kultur des Scheins, die ausbeuterisch und extrem ist und genau zu dem führt, was man vermuten würde: keine der Frauen ist glücklich, sie alle leiden auf die eine oder andere Weise.

Die Kapitel wechseln immer wieder zwischen den Blickwinkeln der einzelnen Figuren, auch untereinander finden nur begrenzt offene Gespräche statt; auch wenn sie befreundet sind, lässt Kyuri keinen offenen Blick in ihren Job und ihr Seelenleben zu. Sie möchte Sujin davon abhalten ihr nachzueifern, kann dies aber nicht wirklich kommunizieren. Sie sitzen auf engstem Raum und sind doch alle einsam, sie teilen ihr Leid nicht, sondern machen dies mit sich selbst aus und verstecken sich hinter einer Maske, die durch die OPs auch immer ähnlicher und austauschbarer werden.

Vieles an dem Buch ist verstörend, nicht nur der Umgang mit dem Körper und die Schönheitsideale, sondern auch die Art wie die Männer in den Salons die Mädchen behandeln und auch was sie auf der Arbeit erleben. Die Elterngeneration – wenn es sie überhaupt gibt – taucht nur als Schreckgespenst auf, das die Töchter unter möglichst gesellschaftlich und finanziell günstigen Gesichtspunkten verheiraten will. Das Konstrukt Ehe wird insgesamt eher als Geschäftsangelegenheit behandelt denn als Entscheidung zwischen zwei Menschen. Individuelle Freiheit und Selbstverwirklichung scheint es nicht zu geben und auch nicht vermisst zu werden, Referenzpunkt sind die K-Pop Stars und ihr Leben, das ebenso unwirklich ist wie das eigene Dasein.

Es ist schwer zu beurteilen, inwieweit die Darstellung realistisch ist, zu weit ist Korea entfernt, zu wenig hört man über das Land jenseits von politischen Spannungen. Selbst wenn vieles überzeichnet wäre, würde es immer noch ein erschreckendes Bild der Gesellschaft liefern. Ein lesenswerter Blick hinter die Fassade einer fremden Welt.

This was the first book I've read set in South Korea, which was intriguing, but honestly, other than character names and place names, it could have taken place almost anywhere. I didn't get the strong sense of place that I'd hoped for. I read the audiobook version, and perhaps that was a mistake, as it made it difficult to keep the large cast of unfamiliarly-named characters straight, and most of them seemed to have similar narrative voices and perspectives. I enjoyed this read, and don't regret it, but I didn't get the emotional connection that would have made a greater impact.

An intriguing view into the lives of modern Korean women. I enjoyed the way the book explored the power of intentional community.

A powerful and revealing look at the lives of women in modern South Korea, Frances Cha's novel is a fascinating and involving read. This is the story of four women who live in the same apartment block in Seoul, three of whom are friends and one, a slightly older married woman, who lives on the floor beneath. Initially, this seemed like a book that would focus solely on the three younger women's obsession with appearance, and the several plastic surgery operations that they have either had or want to have.

Kyuri works as a hostess in a 'room salon', whilst her roommate Miho is an artist with an older, rich boyfriend. Across the hall lives Ara, a hair stylist with an unhealthy obsession with K-pop superstar Taein and who, after a shocking physical assault, is mute and communicates by writing in her notebook. Downstairs is Wonna with her husband, newly pregnant but, after a series of miscarriages, afraid that she will lose this baby as well.

As their stories develop - and Cha uses the sylistic device of alternating each chapter with a first-person perspective from each of the four - the book develops into much more than just the superficial. Cha explores the role of women in the workplace, their exploitation in the 'salon' industry, the pitfalls of maternity leave and, above all, the tension between the older and younger generations in terms of expectations and filial duty. And as their stories and relationships reach some sort of conclusion, each of the four is somehow changed and looks ahead to tomorrow with a slightly different outlook.

Once the book got beyond the plastic surgery theme (ok, it's a metaphor for the whole book, I know) I really enjoyed this insight into the lives of a culture completely different to the West. And whilst the end had a kind of Sex and the City feel, as the four women sit outside their apartment block and share a moment, overall this was a really enjoyable, often powerful, novel. Definitely recommended. 4 stars.

''In the original story, the little mermaid endures unspeakable pain to gain her human legs. The Sea Witch warns her that her new feet will feel as if she is walking on whetter blades, but she will be able to dance like no human has ever danced before. And so she drinks the witch's potion, which slices through her body like a sword.''

Seoul, South Korea. Four women try to make ends meet in a society that has raised them with unattainable expectations, corrupted aspirations and images they have to fulfill. Ara has fallen in love with a K-Pop singer, her obsession adding up to her personal ordeal. Miho tries to balance her upbringing and her New York experiences while dealing with her intense feelings for a handsome womanizer. Wonna struggles to fulfill the expectation of being a mother. Kyuri falls prey to her lust for beauty and money and sacrifices her body and, more importantly, her sanity and dignity. But what else is there to do in a reality that worships plastic surgery, financial superiority and ridiculous, fake pop icons?

Frances Cha writes with clarity and honesty and allows hints of satire, albeit acute and a little morbid. She comments on a set of rules that has to be obeyed, in a system that comes young female souls away, convincing them that they MUST act as everyone -and especially men- expect them to. Beauty and money are brutally connected to each other, it has always been a reality for most women in all cultures throughout the ages. In this novel, we see this bond in its most extreme version. You have to make money, to put it simply and clearly. You have to make men fall in love with you. Therefore, you need the perfect face according to the pop-star standards. And plastic surgery is the means to an end.

With money comes exploitation and the feeling you can manipulate others as others manipulate you. Sex becomes a weapon of persuasion and a means for the elite to achieve its goals. And when you fall in love, society has already fed you with despair so you become obsessed. More and more, faster and faster. Nothing remains untouched, even motherhood is contaminated. If you don't want children, you are an abomination. If you can't raise them, you become a walking guilt. Cha depicts an immense, impossible indifference and absolute cruelty behind the shiny facade.

However, the camaraderie between women is an escape, a haven where minds can be unburdened and hearts can be made lighter through shared feelings, even for a while. The voices of the four main characters are distinctive, their thoughts seamlessly communicated to the reader, as we try to understand them and their motives and choices. My favourite character was Miho. She was the restless spirit, the one whose horizons were broadened through Art but her soft heart was there to threaten her.

Ι've said it again and again. South Korean Literature is a mystery, a treasure, an enigma to be decoyed with each book. If I Had Your Face is no exception. It is real and through-provoking, an unsettling call to consider our views on social status, ''idols'' and a worldwide industry that wants us beautiful, willing and silent. It is one of the best novels of the year.

''The raindrops keep falling, more thickly now. So we all stand up to make our way upstairs together, as the sky starts crackling, taking aim at each of us and the drunk men stumbling by.''

Many thanks to Penguin Books UK and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/

Such a gorgeous story! Don't look for a serious plot - it's not here. Looking for beautiful characters that interact and weave through each other's lives - then read this. An interesting read delving into the details of four female characters living in a culture so incredibly different from my own. Sexism, misogyny, social norms, gender roles are prevalent throughout the story and are heartbreaking and eye-opening. But in the end I took away the message of women supporting women. Although in this story that support could be a bit tragic, as these women were trying to support each other in a society that is so flawed against them. I believe this is a debut for this author and I say well done!! A great many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing me with an advanced copy.

This is super-duper page turner for me! I almost growled when I I had to stop reading. It is contemporary South Korean culture. Because I am not familiar with the current culture there except for K-pop, I am limiting my thoughts to the culture presented in this but I have a feeling that at least holds true for the general culture.

This book covers a group of four women in an apartment building named color but it is painted gray. It is in the most expensive part of the city but three of the girls get a bargain rate because it is on the thirteenth floor.

Ara, a hair stylist has all consuming crush on a star in a boy band and rooms with Sujin, a hair stylist who wants to be a room salon girl so that she can make more money.

Kyuri is a knockout gorgeous salon girl in one of the most elite places. Kyiri has had a lot of plastic surgery and cosmetic treatments. Her roommate is an artist with wild hair and on the rise.

On one floor below is a married couple. Wonna wants to have a baby, which is unusual in this country.

I was spellbound by the writing, the characters are fascinating and I wish I could read the whole book again right now!

I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the Publisher as a win from FirstReads but that in no way made

3.5