This book gave me a lot to think about and moved quickly and interestingly. It follows four families who move into government housing in South Korea, meant to be "communal living" and with the caveat that within 10 years of moving in you need to have three kids. The families all have different approaches to what "communal" means, and there are small and larger clashes as the families settle in.

This book addresses the ridiculous expectations put on mothers to do everything and be anything, the sexist frameworks imposed on and enabled by families, the insecurity and shame inherent in being a parent in our modern world, and how difficult it is to live closely with other people- all without being preachy or hitting you over the head. Byeong-Mo carefully teases out how seemingly mundane interactions and moments signify so much about our social dynamics and dictate whether we feel we belong in any given community, and how subtext is everything but acknowledging the subtle hints out loud is taboo. We get a window into most of the characters, which helps us understand all the thought processes that go into the weird moments between them, and the plot moves along quite fast. This review might make it seem like the book is staid and didactic, but it's not at all; it's brisk and interesting, but a lot happens under the surface. I really liked this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for a honest review!

Gu Byeong-mo's "Apartment Women" is a thought-provoking exploration of motherhood, community, and cultural expectations. Set in a government-run apartment complex outside Seoul, the story follows Yojin, a woman seeking a fresh start with her family in an experimental community designed to boost the national birth rate. While the communal spirit initially promises support, tensions arise as the cracks in this forced camaraderie grow. The novel intricately weaves the lives of four women, each navigating the pressures of parenthood and societal roles in different ways.

Though the premise was rich with potential, the execution faltered. The characters lacked depth, and the rushed narrative undercut what could have been a nuanced critique of societal norms in South Korea. Despite its shortcomings, "Apartment Women" offered a look at the imbalances of parenting labor and the burdens placed on women in South Korean society. A compelling idea that, unfortunately, didn't fully deliver on its promise.

I would give this book a 3.5/5 stars. Would recommend this book to any readers looking for a short, thought-provoking exploration of motherhood, community dynamics and the weight of cultural expectations in South Korea. Thank you to NetGalley, Hanover Square Press, and Gu Byeong-mo for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

Apartment Women by Gu Byeong-mo (translated by Chi-Young Kim) is described as a social novel that follows the lives of four women who move into the Dream Future Pilot Communal Apartments with their families. This isn't just any apartment building; it is a government sponsored experimental community designed to increase the national birth rate in South Korea. All the women are married and already have at least one child. In addition to agreeing to have at least two more children over the next ten years, the families are expected to work as a community to raise their families. We follow the four women as they attempt to live their lives and raise their families while taking into consideration the parenting style of their neighbors. We see the mental, emotional, and physical toll this lifestyle takes on them and their relationships with their family and neighbors. Overall, this story is an interesting concept which is heightened by the fact that it could take place anywhere in the world as the aspects of womanhood is universal.

While I enjoyed the story, there are some negatives which include that the flow of the story seems a little off, but this is likely due to it being a translated story. In addition, the formatting or the book make it a little difficult to follow at times. I read this book while also listening to the audiobook. If you find it difficult to read due to the formatting (including lack of chapters or delineation of who's POV we're following) I highly recommend the audiobook.

I received an arc from NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing. All opinions are my own.

Research documents that South Korea as a nation has the lowest fertility rate in the world. Apartment Women by Gu Byeong-mo (translated by Chi-Young Kim) builds a story around a fictional government program to address the issues of a declining and aging population. The book is an interesting look at the South Korean culture through this lens. Many of the concerns of daily and the women’s search for a work-life balance are universal and relatable.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2024/12/apartment-women.html

Reviewed for NetGalley and a publisher’s blog tour.

Not sure if I have a lot of opinions on this book. It was an interesting concept, but I'm not sure if I really loved it. I feel like I wanted to feeling more emotions from families living together in a rural area in a government sponsored apartment complex. Everything at the end felt a little abrupt. The narrator did a great job with this novel!

Apartment Women will, I think, intrigue readers with its premise, character and plot. It opens a window into a culture and provokes thought.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title.

APARTMENT WOMEN
Gu Byeong-mo

Four families move into a cooperative living situation. It’s an apartment building. They have all agreed to live near each other, support each other, and enrich their lives. It's all easier said than done.

They have also agreed to have three children during their stay. Some are well on their way, others struggle with the idea, and find it impossible to think about. Yet still they have agreed. A burden to carry another day.

The building is called the DREAM FUTURE PILOT COMMUNAL APARTMENTS. There is a cooperative daycare arrangement where the parents must work, must watch each other’s children, and must oblige. All of this is much more than some can handle, and we get to follow along as each of the couples tries to exert independence in this very dependent situation.

This is the second book I’ve read by Byeong-mo and I am a fan. Most of their observations, the questions raised about being a woman, being a partner and spouse and mother, being a responsible member of society, and the limits and restrictions of conforming to those roles in the current times.

In this book, APARTMENT WOMEN I found Hyonaes’ character to be the most interesting to observe. She was made of iron and instead of melting in this atmosphere, in the fire, she becomes something of a weapon. Hardened and angry.

I appreciated this story and will pick up what Byeong-mo writes next.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Hanover Square Press for the advanced copy!

APARTMENT WOMEN…⭐️⭐️⭐️

The book was a fast read that captured my attention from the first time I read the premise. While the book's format made it a bit challenging, the concept and idea captured and engaged me. The complexity of living in a city with a higher cost and the option of having an alternative to communal living in the countryside of Korea are things that everyone can relate to. The book's structure is challenging because it needs chapters. I enjoyed the stories and the challenges that erupted with living in a building with thin walls, with families that applied and received approval to live in the same building but still needed to have things in common and chose a communal living style. The story had the potential to be developed even more, but I still enjoyed the story.

I am glad that I chose to read this book. It gave me insight in a culture that I might not have had without it. The balance of family and work when you aren’t taken seriously in your country is quite a challenge. This one was worth the journey to see how others see their world. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this read.

Four families have moved into government-funded housing in Korea, with the caveat that they are aiming to have 3 children each (to increase falling birth rates). What follows is a look into the quiet (and sometimes, not so much) lives of everyday women as they try to support their families, with and typically without the support of their spouses. Reading this book felt like living in an apartment with thin walls, listening to the conversations and arguments of my neighbors. But it was also so disheartening and even upsetting at times, reading about how none of these women seemed to have "good" marriages. This was well done, but it felt like a sad look at ~the way things are~ and made me feel melancholy for the way things should be.

The concept of this book is what drew me to request it. I am very interested in the sci-fi/social studies aspect. I think the problem lies in the translation. It fell flat and was hard to follow at times.

thank you netgalley for the e-arc. i didn't enjoy reading this for the writing style, maybe it was a translated work that got lost in translation(?). the summary of the book sounded interesting but i was really bored about half way through.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Set in Korea, 4 families agree to live within a government communal housing and promise that they will have 3 children over the next 10 years.

There is a general tension between the families that grew as they work together more often and try to raise their families in this close living environment. With so many different personalities, it was interesting to see how they all got along, meshed together or conflicted.

The format of the book being one long "chapter" with no breaks to indicate a change in POV or character made the pace seem slow and a bit difficult to read. However, it is an intriguing, short read that kept me interested.

Twelve apartments, twelve families. An intense application and screening process determined which twelve families would be selected to live in a communal apartment house in rural Korea. This was a government project that was intended to increase the number of babies born in Korea. While it was interesting from a cultural sense there is a lot of redundancy. One example: recycling discussed ad nauseam. Read the book and you'll see what I mean. The story followed four women in the apartments and the cattiness of one of them just wore me out. For me, the plot was an interesting concept but didn't hold my attention. Thankfully, it was short. I am appreciative of the complimentary digital ARC that I received from NetGalley and Hanover Square Press. I am sorry that I cannot leave a better review. This is my own opinion.

This short novel was along the lines of a "slice of life" novel that followed a group of characters, rather than one that is plot-driven. Much in the way that life proceeds while caring for children, life happens, but it's hard to remember any specific event. I would have enjoyed it more if there was some explanation about the point of the communal living building and requiring a commitment to having three children, but that fact was a vague sinister feeling in the background. I really enjoyed Gu Byeong-mo's "Killers of a Certain Age" and felt like Apartment Women fell far short of the intricate plotting found there.

There was a single, casual anti-fat comment made by one character, but it was otherwise weight neutral.

Apartment Women by Gu Byeong-mo is a poignant look into the lives of four mothers living in a government-run communal apartment complex outside Seoul, intended to boost birth rates through community support. Each woman, facing unique challenges, navigates the intense societal pressures on mothers, from career compromises to the struggles of communal living.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Gu Byeong-mo’s Apartment Women is a poignant and incisive exploration of motherhood, societal expectations, and the hidden struggles of women. Set in the experimental Dream Future Pilot Communal Apartments outside Seoul, this novel deftly intertwines the lives of four women, revealing the complexities and pressures they face.

The story centers around Yojin, who moves into the communal apartments with her husband and daughter, seeking a fresh start. The government-run complex promises support for families with at least three children, but the reality is far from idyllic. As Yojin navigates her new environment, she forms connections with three other women, each grappling with their own challenges. The narrative unfolds through their intertwined stories, exposing the unspoken imbalances and societal expectations placed on mothers.

Gu Byeong-mo excels in creating deeply relatable and multifaceted characters. Yojin’s journey is both heart-wrenching and inspiring, as she confronts her past and strives to build a better future for her family. The other women in the complex—each with their own unique struggles and strengths—add richness and depth to the story. Their interactions and evolving relationships highlight the solidarity and resilience that emerge in the face of adversity.

Gu’s prose is both lyrical and sharp, capturing the emotional nuances of her characters’ experiences. The vivid descriptions of the communal apartments and the surrounding environment create a palpable sense of place, immersing readers in the world of the novel. The narrative is skillfully paced, balancing moments of quiet introspection with scenes of intense drama and conflict.

Apartment Women delves into themes of motherhood, community, and the societal pressures that shape women’s lives. The novel challenges the notion that “it takes a village” to raise a child, instead highlighting the often-overlooked labor and sacrifices of mothers. Gu Byeong-mo’s exploration of these themes is both thought-provoking and deeply moving, offering a nuanced perspective on the complexities of family and societal expectations.

Apartment Women is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that shines a light on the hidden struggles of women and the societal pressures they face. Gu Byeong-mo’s masterful storytelling and richly developed characters make this a standout read.

Highly recommended for readers who appreciate character-driven narratives and insightful social commentary.

If you could live free in an apartment building, would you? Sounds great in given the housing crisis facing many of the cities in which we live right? Wrong. What if it was communal living? And your government created a lottery system, which you had to qualify for. You have to be a family with at least one child, with plans for more. At least one member of the family must stay home to help with the communal aspects of the apartment. If you try to leave, the fines will be astronomical. And you can forget about privacy. In case you haven’t gathered from this description, this book is a statement on societies expectations of mothers. The story follows four vastly different women, only alike in the depth of their unhappiness. From the synopsis I expected this read to be right up my alley, in the end it slowly meandered off the rails.

Apartment Women was a deceptively light and easy read that had a lot of hidden depth. I enjoyed the multiple-POV narration as this allowed us to see the characters both as others saw them and from their own perspective. Quite often the reasons behind their actions were misinterpreted by others, which is a good life lesson to bear in mind, as no one else can ever know fully our inner thought processes, so it is easy to be misunderstood and to misunderstand others. The novel painted an interesting picture of life for families (with a focus on the mothers) in modern-day Korea as they struggle to manage both home life and work. It also considered the good points and bad points about apartment living. I am giving it 4 stars. I really enjoyed it, but a part of me wished it could have been a little longer and given us more details on the characters before things concluded.

(This review will go live on Goodreads and my blog at the links below on 11 November, as per your preference to hold reviews until a month prior to release.)

In an experimental apartment complex outside of Seoul, several families with young children try to coexist. The purpose of the experiment is to encourage couples to have more children, but the story certainly doesn't make that seem easy or even desirable. This follows four women who live in the complex and their lives are all at different points.
The story drags in places and TBH the names start to get me confused on who belongs to whom and how they are connected.
I was fascinated by the dynamics of Korean life and the society that exists. The dynamics of the infertility of the nation spurred this experiment and it sound like it could be an interesting story but I just couldn't get into the storytelling. It felt a little flat to me and there weren't any characters that I felt especially interested in.