This book was very eye-opening. It's easy to forget how little we know about other countries' histories, but the graphic novel genre makes it so accessible for students (and adults!) to learn. This book is not perfect, but I enjoyed it and would recommend it to higher level students.

Gorgeous art and such an important message.
I think the authors did it beautifully.
I really enjoyed this one!

I love this book so much! I read it so quickly and is on my must-read list! Everything about his book is perfection!

In the U.S., we tend to think of South Korea as as the free, democratic country next to the totalitarian regime of North Korea, but the truth is a little more complicated than that. It took decades of to become the democracy it is today, and a large part of how that happened was through protests done by ordinary people, many of them students. Kim Hyun Sook was one of these student protesters, though that wasn't her original plan. She went to college to study English Language and Literature, and got invited to a book club meeting. Ordinary enough, right? Turns out the club was reading books banned by the government, books you could be arrested for reading. She decided to join them, and helped to change her country for the better. I admit I knew nothing about the history of South Korea, and this book was an eye opener, not to mention inspirational. In these times, in this country, we need to read books like this, to give us hope that we can change things by speaking out, that we can raise our voices against injustice and be heard.

#IronCircusComics #NetGalley

I am sorry, I cannot review this book as I have lost it's copy. I hope you understand. I would love to read it and I might buy the copy of this book. I hope you can understand

Interesting historical fiction graphic novel. The story was good, but I did not care for the illustrations as much as I would like.

This title was archived and I missed the download. As a result of this, I won't be able to review it.

Thanks to Net Galley and Iron Circus Comics for a copy of this to review! I'm always in the market for graphic novels that open your eyes to new things, and this one definitely does that. I'll admit that I don't know much about South Korea, so this book taught me a lot. Plus, the young adults in the book band together with books in order to change their circumstances. Because we all know that books can change the way people think.

One of the things I most appreciated about this was the formatting. To me, it mimicked the Japanese manga style of art, making it a more immersive experience. Facts about South Korea were also cleverly included throughout the story, meaning that the information didn't overtake the story itself. In a time when there's a lot of political upheaval in our own country, I think a lot of teens will take to this story and inspire them to enact their own change.

Banned Book Club is an important story featuring a time in history that is often forgotten. Definitely a great book to add to your classroom library.

My thanks to Iron Circus Comics for a temporary digital edition via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. It was published in May and my apologies for the late feedback.

‘Banned Book Club’ is a memoir in graphic novel format written by Kim Hyun Sook and Ryan Estrada and illustrated by Ko Hyung-Ju.

In 1983 Kim Hyun Sook began college and was looking forward to studying Western Literature in this rarified atmosphere. South Korea at this time was ruled by the Fifth Republic, a repressive military regime, that used censorship and routinely murdered protesters.

When she is invited to join an underground banned book group it seems like an opportunity to discover great works of literature currently forbidden by this totalitarian regime. Yet this spirit of discovery is quickly overshadowed by fear and violence.

This proved a powerful coming of age story told through the medium of the graphic novel in a style that draws on the authentic Korean Manhwa (Comics) art.

After the main text Kim Hyun Sook states that the stories within are true but for the privacy and safety of those involved these were blended into a single narrative featuring amalgamated characters at a fictional university. That statement on its own is chilling.

While I wasn’t aware of the political turmoil in South Korea during the 1980s, we live in a time when totalitarian governments are again on the rise making this a highly relevant account.

I also felt that there was a great deal of energy in both the story and artwork. It is intended for a Teen/YA readership and I find that this graphic novel/comics format provides an accessible medium for approaching political history.

While I had a general knowledge of what was happening in South Korea during this time, this graphic novel expanded my understanding of the political division and anti-intellectualism that defined this country's climate. Through Hyun Sook's eyes, we witness the direct implications and consequences of fear-mongering, especially as it relates to access to stories and information. Living in the West, this book opened my eyes to the experience of consuming literature, and how great a privilege it is to be able to enjoy it openly rather than in secret for fear of persecution and violence. That said, I loved the notion of reading as a rebellion and using knowledge as power to stand against these structures.

<i>I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.</i>

<b>You Should Read This If You Like:</b> stories about student lead revolutions, standing up against a corrupt government, underground movements, anti-fascist literature, banned books, etc.

“You can learn a lot about history by figuring out what people wanted to hide.”

I honestly haven’t felt this pumped up or motivated to do something to make a change in ages. This graphic novel couldn't have come at a more appropriate time in history! But I’m getting ahead of myself. So what is this story about?

Based on a true story, Banned Book Club is the story of a group of South Korean college students who form an underground banned book club in the 1980's. The 1980’s was a politically charged period in South Korean history marked by a fascist military regime that obtained power through media censorship, propaganda, and extreme violence. This prompted university students across the nation to lead mass democratization protests that resulted in one of the nation’s great tragedies: the Gwangju Massacre in the 1980's where hundreds of student protesters were killed using military force.

The student movements continued throughout the 1980s. Since protestors were regularly met with military violence, detained for hours without cause, raped and tortured, most of the protest was covert carried out via book clubs and underground student organizations.

In this book, we follow new college student Kim Hyun Sook as she navigates her way to college amidst the fraught political climate of student protests. Coming from a very traditional family, Hyun Sook has to fight to get into college instead of helping her parents run their small restaurant. At first, she wants nothing to do with politics, choosing to remain apolitical and focus on reading and attending her Western Literature classes. But as Hyun Sook soon finds out, it is impossible to remain neutral in times of crisis especially for a Literature major in college when so much of the classics is informed by their concurrent politics.

“Education is not just learning the things that they want you to know but also knowing things they don't want you to know.”

Soon after, Hyun Sook soon joins her fellow classmates in their underground banned book club where they read books that have been banned by the government. They read a wide variety of literature: The Motorcycle Diaries, The Pedagogy of the Oppressed, The Feminine Mystique, etc. discussing news that the government has been hiding from the public and engaging in many different forms of protest across different media. As Hyun Sook becomes more immersed in the protests, peeling back the government’s lies, we get to see the intricacies of these student lead movements. The operations themselves were just really freaking cool to read about. The way the students joined hands across different universities, protesting in both big ways and small was just so very inspiring.

As the graphic novel is marketed towards a YA audience, it steers clear from more graphic depictions of violence. However, the book never fails to convey the horrors and threats of this time period. The reader is always acutely aware of the dangers of the characters actions and enough is hinted at to understand the larger, uglier reality of the injustice and brutalities committed against an oppressed people. The black and white art style, reminiscent of manga format, adds gravitas to the story: simultaneously playful with its slightly cartoonish depictions of the young characters while also using light and shadow to contrast its more tense scenes. Despite how little time we spent with them, the characters all felt well rounded with diverse quirks and personalities (even touching on LGBTQ+ issues and homophobia in Korea).

I first learned about the 1980’s student protests from Korean Drama “Reply 1988” where one of the characters participated in the movement despite her parents objections. This book gave me a more clear picture of the actual dangers these students faced, despite which they carried on in pursuit of a better tomorrow. It's fascinating how a book about Korean politics in the 1980’s could resonate so much with the current political climate. The BLM is proof of what the characters say at the end of the novel, that the fight for justice is never ending. There will be more movements and protests and things will change for the better little by little. But it's only in making our voices heard, not settling for less, or turning complacent at unjust treatment that we can make a change. This book was something powerful and you should read it even if you have no interest in Korean Politics.

5 Stars.

The title is what drew me into reading this book and it did not disappoint. The art style fitted the tone of the book commendably, and though not typically a topic that I would gravitate to, it was a very entertaining read that I would recommend to others to read.

I enjoyed reading this historical fiction graphic novel. It is a genre I don’t read a lot and I found myself surprisingly engaged in the elements of the story and the graphics. Set in 1983 South Korea, which was under an oppressive rule and led by a violent, military regime. The characters are all college-age students’ intent on empowering themselves and their fellow countryman towards freedom, especially intellectual freedom. This whole novel is especially timely and based on real events however, identities of the real characters have been changed. The ending is quite powerful and inspiring. I would highly recommend this for anyone seeking to learn from history. It is appropriate for young adults and up. There is no sex or nudity, but there is violence.

Thanks to Iron Circus Comics, Letter Better Publishing Services, NetGalley, Kim Hyun Sook, and Ryan Estrada for an advanced e-reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Recommended: YES
For a history not well known in the US, for a prime example of how graphic novels so well suit memoirs, for a funny and dramatic story

Thoughts:
Graphic novels are so well suited to memoirs and nonfiction. This is a prime example. The art and coloring complements the story perfectly. With the selective colors it focuses exactly on what needs to be focused on. And again, things that are hard to say in words are sometimes better conveyed in images.

The historical aspect of the story is shocking for me, even though I’m relatively well-versed in 20th century Korean history. It’s just so hard to imagine that only 40 years ago, the government was aggressively censoring media, and arresting or torturing or killing protestors against the leaders of the country. It’s so recent, really. And compared to the Korea I know today, it’s so drastically different. Just a few years ago we saw a series of country-wide protests of millions of people for weeks on end succeed in peacefully removing a president who was corrupt. That’s absolutely incredible! This book feels so relevant because, really, Kim Hyun Sook’s experience is mirrored in the lifestyle changes seen today.

We’re able to see Hyun Sook’s personality and character develop as her understanding of the protesters increases. Through the different activities she ends up joining, we get insight into the way the government works. Her tidy good-girl worldview is shattered and she’s forced to make a decision about where she will stand.

I have come to think that graphic novels are particularly well suited for memoirs. What is difficult to capture in words is much easier to convey in images. Graphic novels combine these two together and create a powerful combination that pulls you deeply into the story. Banned book club is a prime example of that experience.

Banned Book Club is the story of Kim Hyun Sook and her time in college. It's a story that was brought to life (once again) with the help of Ryan Estrada and Hyung-Ju Ko. This is a powerful read that you're not going to want to miss out on.

It's 1983 in South Korea. Kim Hyun Sook has just started college (despite her mother's hesitation). She was set to major in literature, and that opened a doorway for her, as one might imagine. Before she knew it, she was embroiled in politics, courtesy of banned books around the country.

Honestly, this true story stands much better on its own than any way I could ever sum it up for you. So read it. It's a quick but very powerful read and will provide so much insight into banned books – their dangers and their powers.

Banned Book Club tells the story of one woman – one banned book club – and the way they stood up against a militaristic regime. It's a poignant story and one that everyone should take the time to read.

I've admittedly only read a few graphic memoirs (something I should rectify), but I can honestly tell you that this would be on my top five list regardless. The message this graphic novel carries cannot be emphasized enough.

I should probably mention that this is a fictionalized version of events. It isn't completely accurate, as the creative team would be quick to tell you. I don't think that detracts at all from the message, thankfully. Especially considering one of the reasons the events were told with slight variation is to protect those that experienced them.

No matter how you look at it, whether you're an expert on the subject or new to the history, this is a graphic memoir worth reading – and remembering.

Set in South Korea in the 1980s, in which a militaristic regime is in power (hmmm), this graphic memoir follows the author's experience in joining a banned book club in college. In it, they read materials heavily prohibited by the government (huh), and they gather and protest. It's a powerful narrative—a call against censorship, a call for freedom—something that's strongly relevant today, across many nations. Art-wise, I thought the black and white, imperfectly lined illustrations go well with the weight and tone of the story (although I felt this urge to color some pages to help make it more alive). All in all, a daring feat worth checking out.

Banned Book Club showed me 80's Korea, and I loved knowing a banned book club existed at the time. The love for books makes the group of young people stand up for the betterment of their country and people. A heroic, true novel that deserves appreciation.

Banned Book Club is an excellent graphic memoir about a little talked about topic. Highly recommend for all library collections.

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Banned Book Club is a graphic novel following Kim Hyun Sook as she starts her first year of college in 1983 South Korea. This was during South Korea’s Fifth Republic, a military regime that entrenched its power through censorship, torture, and the murder of protestors. And Hyun Sook finds herself pulled into it all because of her love of books.

I first want to highlight the art style. It is authentic Manhwa art, which is the traditional comic art styling of Korean. A true Korean story with authentic Korean art is worth celebrating.

It is a fast-paced comic, so it is full of action and something happening. I do wish there was moments of rest between action so that the reading this didn’t get overwhelming at times. The fast-paced also made character development of Hyun Sook feel a little disjointed so I didn’t really see how she got from timid literature student to full-on protester. But I also think the fast-paced nature reflects the ever-evolving scenarios of protesting and backlash.

While the specific story of Kim Hyun Sook is fiction, it is created through true stories of individuals who were students and protesters in 1983. Knowing that the atrocities they depict are true accounts makes this graphic novel even more impactful.

This is also a very timely read with the state of the world, and particularly the United States, as of late. People are still protesting atrocities caused by people in power. Banned Book Club offers some hope, as we see the protests succeed and cause the downfall of multiple regimes in it’s pages. This is not a doom-and-gloom story, despite the terrible things that do occur, but one with lighthearted moments and the power of friendship at it’s core.

Overall, Banned Book Club is a fascinating read, especially with how times currently are quite similar to what happened in 1983. You learn a lot about the history of the era and civil rights, and you leave with a feeling of hope rather than dread. If historical stories interest you, take a look at Banned Book Club.

Banned Book Club by Kim Hyun Sook, Ko Hyung-Ju, & Ryan Estrada

4.75 stars

This is a fictionalized account of Kim Hyun Sook’s time in college during the strict and oppressive rule of South Korea’s Fifth Republic. During this time in 1983, riots were common at the universities and protests occurred to fight against the censorship and dictatorship that was occurring. This graphic novel is based on real events, but blended together to protect the identity of many real people who fought for things to change in South Korea. This graphic novel was so good! What an important novel to read amidst the protests in America. The story has so much to unpack and walk through. There is fear and the desire to rise up, the importance of literature being uncensored and not banned, what protests mean, the generational importance and metamorphosis of protests, family and values. So many wonderful themes and the friendships and simple scenes of slice of life living reminded me of real college students. This is a great graphic novel to give to high school students or freshman in college. I wrote so many papers on the topic of banned books in college, but I had never heard of this group of these protests. I’ve heard about the banning, but I didn’t know the impact of the people of South Korea protesting and speaking up.


Whimsical Writing Scale: 5

Character Scale: 5

Plotastic Scale: 5

Art Scale: 4

Cover Thoughts: I love the different color schemes.

Thank you, Netgalley and Iron Circus Comics, for providing me with a copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review.