Very black mirror, enjoyable! If you like a kind of dystopian, commentary on things like technology/modern media/othe related topics, you might like this!

My taste in books is fundamentally different from most readers on LibraryThing, my new favorite booksite. Every month they offer free books for a review, most of the books don’t tempt me at all. But sometimes I see something interesting and then find that it is the least popular book in the monthly list. Hence, when I apply to get a review copy, it is an easy bingo.

A Korean author, translated into English, literally, according to the title, reflecting on Korean life in these times. Given the fact that I have never been to Korea, nor have I spoken many citizens from that country, it makes for interesting reading.

And this was certainly the case. After several attempts at downloading the digital book failed, I finally managed to get a copy into my Kindle. Disadvantage, I had to read from the iPad instead of my E-reader, but hey, you can’t win em all.

Soon I was dragged into the story of an average Korean. University degree, decent job, but problematic social life. If this book gives a correct view of Korean society these days – and why would I doubt the author? – the country has turned into an exaggerated uber capitalistic society where everything is competition. Your school, your grades, the university you go to, the company you work for, the likes on social media. It seems impossible to avoid the competition. What house do you live? Who are your friends? How are your chances on promotion? Is the person you’re dating of the right class? What is her/his income? What app do you use to make your money grow?

It looks almost dystopian, a nightmare to live in, which is a big compliment for the author. Being able to get the feeling of oppression without oppression across through words, a major task for anyone writing. Mu Jeong manages to do so. It reminded me of Milkman, where Anna Burns makes you feel all the unwritten rules that influence everyday life in Northern Ireland. Not the same style, not the same novel, but the depth between the pages is similar.

Quote: “I almost forget to snap a photo of the distance I ran to post on social media and climb back onto the machine even after it has stopped to take a quick selfie. After posting it, I refresh the feed several times in quick succession just to make sure everything looks good and see who’s the first to comment.” (after 9% reading)

A realistic portrayal of South Korea’s societal pressures. Very interesting…
Many thanks to METRIC and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a short engaging read detailing the intersection of phone/internet addiction & the toxic environment inherent in the Korean workforce. It would be easy to point to some of the characters & denote them as a status obsessed and horrible, but they are illustrative of the strict social hierarchy they must navigate to survive their society. 3.5/5, rounded up because it maintained its serious tone without being overwhelming.

Wow. Clever, heartbreaking, dystopian.

A brilliant almost novella from Jeong Mu bringing the reader into the world of 3 early 30s Seoul residents, linked together and competing with each other since primary school. Almost hypnotically we follow them in their seemingly detested mundane lives, chasing the societal dream.

A terrifyingly eye opening highly recommended read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, METRICPRESS for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review

I enjoyed this book. The prose and story were first-rate, and read it in two days. My only complaint is that the English version had some repeated sentences and not enough dialogue tags to easily discern which character was speaking. These were only minor problems and didn't distract me from reading the story.

This really lays bare the Korean young people and their obsession with class, social media, and comparing them selves with others.
It wasn't a complete shock to me due to watching over 100 K-Dramas and movies, but this really makes it clear in a more personal way. I really felt sorry for the main characters although I can't say I didn't relate to some of it.
This worth reading, especially if you're not familiar with Korean culture, and I believe a lot of it is probably very similar in Japan, too. We're, at least the younger generations likely just as obsessed with social media but there's definitely differences.

Loved this. I love the themes of social media addiction and social comparison - always feeling unhappy about not being rich enough, successful enough, feeling like a loser in a hyper competitive society. Incredibly realistic portrayal of Seoul society for millennials today.. it’s bleak and I haven’t seen anything like this before. Would love to read more

Step into the extraordinary world of "A Mirror for The Blind" by Jeong Mu, translated by Mark Allen Brazeal. This captivating novel takes readers on a journey of self-reflection and discovery, transcending the boundaries of language and culture. With its unique blend of literary prowess and profound storytelling, "A Mirror for The Blind" enchants readers from start to finish.

Immerse yourself in Jeong Mu's evocative prose as he explores the depths of human emotions, painting a vivid picture of love, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit. Brazeal's masterful translation ensures that the essence of the original text is preserved, allowing readers to fully appreciate the beauty and nuances of Jeong Mu's work.

"A Mirror for The Blind" is a mirror that reflects the human experience, forcing us to confront our own inner truths and confront the complexities of life. Whether you're a fan of literary fiction or simply seeking a thought-provoking read, this novel promises to leave a lasting impression. Embark on this literary journey and discover for yourself why "A Mirror for The Blind" has captivated readers worldwide.

This book had a lot of promise. It was very fascination to see how money and position had become an oppression for the youth in South Korea. It truely seems like the humanity is slowly dying in the pursuit of the material things in life. As if any of us can take any of those material goods with us un death. Truly sad and depressing. As much as this book is a mirror of their society, I am afraid they will be too blinded by riches to see. What a perfect title!

However, I believe that some of the voice of the book was lost in translation. Being familiar with South Korean culture, I could grasp it. However, I wish the translation could've been better as it was confusing at times. I remember one of the chapters starting almost as if narrated by an external narrator and switching mid-dialogue to being character narrated. Small instances like that made this book a little challenging to follow at time.

The highly realistic portrayal of everyday life paradoxically creates anonymity, serving as a device in the novel. The author fundamentally questions whether thirst can be quenched through recognition via fiction. Notably, the novel introduces a unique element, 'Poverty Therapist: Val-You', which, while peculiar to the novel, actually mirrors the common societal obsession with wealth in real life. It spreads the mindset that "one who lacks financial success is a loser", sharply satirizing the act of accumulating wealth through creative endeavors. Furthermore, the diverse characters in the novel, inevitably drawn into this media, hide their true selves and confine each other within the frame of perfection symbolized by the 'Rubik's Cube', engaging in a rat race. It was a very realistic and relatable work.

I received an ARC from the publisher through Netgalley in return for an honest review.

Following a group of privileged white-collar workers in the cutthroat business world in Seoul, we get a glimpse of the materialistic and competitive nature of the office worker. No different than your typical competitive American, I felt like I was reading about a group of men a few states away.

This was such a different book than what I was expecting. It delved into the character’s lives as they tried to make it big with the next get-rich plan. Day trading, crypto, real estate; it’s all fair game, and only the best and quickest will succeed.

Such a fun and quick read. While it was a bit heavy at times, I couldn’t tear myself away from the drama. I could feel their stress oozing off the pages, but I kept rooting for each character to win in one way or another.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was really excited to read this book as I don’t often branch off into translated novels. This one was relatively short so it felt like a good approachable opportunity. It took me a moment to get into the pacing off it but I ultimately enjoyed the little overlapping vignettes and slow build out of characters and the web of relationships. It came together really dramatically at the end - quickly enough that I was surprised (but probably should have caught on sooner). I really enjoyed this look into modern Korean working and dating culture and am glad I gave this one a go.

A Mirror for the Blind had a thoughtful premise and was structured and presented in an interesting way as we moved between characters. I found each of those characters intriguing to learn about and follow, and the themes of the book offered a snapshot of modern society in Seoul with its social hierarchy and the struggle to make ends meet once entering the workforce. And what is true of Korea would be relevant to many other cities too. There's perhaps nothing in this work not already know or seen before, but it is, as the title states, a reflection on the current age and is worth a read. I am giving it 4 stars.