A heartbreaking and infuriating analysis on gender and sexual assault. An incredibly realistic depiction of the effects sexual assault and PTSD hold largely on women but also men too.

The protagonist is not a likeable person but this perfectly brings into play the question of who is the perfect victim. Spanning across many years it really brings consent and coercion to the front of the conversation. As a woman it really did make me feel sick and break my heart to witness the very realistic attitudes men (and some women) have towards sex and assault and whether coerced consent is really consent at all.

The story does feel quite disjointed with chapters all over the place and some that don't really lead anywhere.

3.5*

Thank you netgalley and the publisher

Another Person opens with Jina checking social media to see what people are saying about her after she made a very public post about being sexually assaulted at work. Jina is unable to just "turn it off" as her friend suggests so she spirals knowing that no matter how brave she was in confronting her assaulter she will always be victim blamed.

It was an interesting read and I can see it being one that is well held by people reading it. It wasn’t for me, however. Jina is an interesting character to follow though!

Kang Hwagil's Another Person is a fascinating novel which heavily draws on modern day issues faced by women in Korea (for those uninitiated - the nth Room and Burning Sun incidents give an insight that society is still very much a patriarchal one where men committing offences don't suffer little to no ramifications for their actions whilst the victim usually a woman is treated as though the entire incident is due to her actions - that she was asking for it, with accusations of such coming from fellow women who have encountered the exact same issues.) Jina's experience causes her to reflect and research on a the death of a university friend who Jina now realises had been in a similar relationship to the one which she has just left, convinced she was murdered she relives the past to find out the culprit behind it all.

Unfortunately a DNF. The use of British slang in the translation made it a struggle to immerse myself in the story, though it was interesting. I’m interested to see if any final changes were made in the published edition.

Excellent read, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me access an advance copy of this title in exchange for my feedback.

Another Person by Kang Hwagil is a thought-provoking and unsettling novel that delves deep into themes of sexual assault, victim-blaming, and the toxic culture that permeates both university and workplace environments in contemporary South Korea. Jina, the protagonist, is forced to revisit her traumatic past after a hateful online comment triggers memories of her time at university, where her friend, Ha Yuri, died under mysterious circumstances.

The novel’s alternating perspectives and multi-layered prose create a narrative that is both complex and deeply reflective. While the shifting timelines and points of view can occasionally be difficult to follow, they add to the novel’s exploration of trauma and how deeply ingrained societal sexism affects women like Jina. The author paints a vivid picture of the systemic misogyny and victim-blaming that continue to trap women in cycles of shame and silence.

What stands out most is how Kang Hwagil shows that no character is truly innocent; even those who seem to help can have selfish motives, reflecting the internalized misogyny prevalent in this toxic environment. The book’s portrayal of online harassment and the way society turns on victims of assault felt timely and raw, though at times the plot progression felt a bit slow.

While Another Person doesn’t provide easy answers or resolutions, it offers a compelling exploration of abuse, feminism, and the fight for self-reclamation. Though challenging, it’s an important and powerful read that will resonate with anyone interested in stories about trauma, feminism, and the complexity of human relationships.

"Another Person" by Kang Hwagil is a compelling and psychologically intense novel that delves deep into the complexities of identity, societal expectations, and the dark undercurrents of human relationships. Kang’s writing is sharp and evocative, creating a narrative that is both unsettling and thought-provoking.

The story follows a protagonist who is grappling with the pressures of conforming to societal norms while trying to maintain a sense of self. As the narrative unfolds, the lines between who they are and who they are expected to be begin to blur, leading to a gripping exploration of what it means to truly know oneself or another person. The novel is steeped in themes of alienation, the search for authenticity, and the often-conflicting demands of society versus personal desires.

Kang Hwagil masterfully uses tension and atmosphere to create a sense of unease that permeates the story. The characters are complex and multifaceted, each struggling with their own inner conflicts and the masks they wear in public. The novel’s pacing is deliberate, allowing readers to slowly piece together the deeper layers of the characters and the overarching mystery that ties them together.

"Another Person" is not just a psychological thriller but also a profound commentary on the human condition and the facades we create. Kang Hwagil has crafted a novel that challenges readers to question the nature of identity and the lengths to which one might go to maintain it—or escape from it. This book is perfect for those who enjoy literary fiction that delves into the darker aspects of psychology and society, leaving a lasting impact long after the final page is turned.

Another Person opens with Jina checking social media to see what people are saying about her after she made a very public post about being sexually assaulted at work. Jina is unable to just “turn it off” as her friend suggests so she spirals knowing that no matter how brave she was in confronting her assaulter she will always be victim blamed.

The book follows Jina as she comes to terms to what is it like being a woman in Korea, how she must conform and what happens when she does now. She tries to piece together what happened to her, how she became a victim, all while trying to find out who is writing these things about her. Jina goes back to her University town to see her friends, and tries to piece together her life and the life of a friend she lost tragically.

I really enjoyed this book, it is a short read but it moves fast and it is very impactful. The author does a great job of taking us into the world of Jine and showing us what she is going through. I loved that there were different POVs throughout the story because it make it more layered and engaging.

Read this one!

I received this ARC from NetGalley and Pushkin Press in exchange for a free and honest review.

This story follows a group of characters connected through Anjin University. While there many women suffered abuse/ harassment. This was a very hard hitting book that tackled very difficult topics such as; sexual assault/ abuse, physical abuse within relationships, misogyny and etc. This book was very eye opening about the Korean legal system and what constitutes rape. The term quasi-rape/ acquaintance rape was so maddening, as there is a belief that rape is done by strangers only. This story also shows that the lack of action by those in leadership positions and/ or insufficient punishment for perpetrators allows this toxic cycle to continue. Overall, a tough but necessary read and I would recommend but will advise readers to check the trigger warnings.

In addition, the translation by Claire Richards was well done

I was so excited to read this book. I love translated stories and books, so I was sure that this book was going to shine, especially based on its topic, which is one that I always love seeing explored to spread awareness and information. Given that this perspective came from those living in South Korea, I had high hopes. Unfortunately, this book disappointed me. I don't know if it’s because of the translation or just the editing, but the stories and the multi-perspective POVs just did not land. I often found myself wondering if the events were from the past or happening currently, which made the story feel extremely disjointed and hard to follow. It felt like we were getting two or three different stories at the same time.

The book is meant to explore the main character’s assault against her coworker and boyfriend, but suddenly shifts to looking into the past about another student's death and the experiences of other coworkers at the school. This made it really hard for me to stay engaged. I stopped at about 60%. I think the topic, narrative, and theme of this book are worth exploring and reading. I wish I could just give it five stars for taking on the discussion of assault, harassment, workplace misogyny, and more, but the delivery just did not land for me.

2.5 stars. I want to believe that maybe a physical print copy has a better structure or layout of how the chapters read, but some chapters just blur into the others, adding to the confusion. Unfortunately, this book did not feel like the best representation of these important topics because it came off very messy in its reading. I do hope to see more from this author, maybe with better editing or someone to ensure that what is being said is translated in a way that is clear and readable. I do not doubt that this book will still get high ratings just because of the important topics it discusses, and again, I think that it should. But for me, it was very hard to connect with the book outside of my own connection to the topic.

Additionally, the book felt very passive in its fictional recounting of events. There were times where the different occurrences with other women seemed contradictory to the message I thought the book was originally about. I think this book might have been better if it had focused solely on women’s POVs or had a clearer layout or timeline of these instances and events. The inclusion of the male POV added another layer of confusion. I still think anyone should read this book and form their own opinions. While it may have been confusing for me, it might be easier to grasp and hold onto for others.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This was a really tough read at times, the subject matter is very deep and emotional but this was written so well.

There were some very tense moments but I never felt bogged down by it. I do love Korean feminist fiction so this really hit the mark for me.

4 stars.

There’s no question this is a searing and timely novel, however maybe it was the translation but the writing felt disjointed and stilted and was hard to follow. It’s largely internal dialogue and a whole lot of telling the audience, not showing. I was not sure how the beginning of the novel linked to the end, as the beginning storyline sort of disappeared unresolved halfway through the book.

Def not a light read! It’s one of those books you have to be in the mood for (and psychologically prepared to read).

Energy: Abashed. Raw. Resigned.
Scene: 🇰🇷 Anjin and Seoul, South Korea in the 1990s/2000s.
Perspective: We follow multiple perspectives giving their experiences around feminism, sexual abuse, misogyny, domestic violence, and unhealthy relationships. Sometimes we know who is speaking and other times they are peripheral to the main story. For example, a medical worker, a professor, a high school friend etc. Told in three parts.

🐕 Howls: Hyper-focus on trauma with repeating (not repetitive) exploration and commentary made this feel so long and dense sometimes.
🐩 Tail Wags: The snapshot essay style. Different viewpoints that show, not tell. Thought-provoking commentary and discussions. Excellent translation.

🤔 Random Thoughts:
Check content heads-up! This could be validating or super triggering and a little too accurate depending on your past experiences and where you are in your life journey right now.

I wouldn't say this is trauma porn, but there is a LOT and it’s the entire focus of every single chapter. Everything from rejection by peers to violent sexual abuse. I liked that the reveals helped me feel for the characters even when I didn’t understand their actions or was getting judgey. But (and this will sound awful) …it’s so focused on all the characters traumas that I forgot who experienced what as the stories start to overlap.

If you aren’t familiar with Korean naming, just have Google nearby to help you get the hang of it, then it'll be easier to keep track of characters

🤓 Reader Role: Characters speaking to us and thinking aloud. Others reflecting and we are privy to their thoughts via third person narrator who also assists with showing us the significance of events.
🗺️ World-Building: Barren. Mentions place names but we are mostly in the characters' minds or exploring concepts and commentary.
🔥 Fuel: Emotional investment, moral dilemmas, and crossing paths where seemingly unrelated characters stories overlap in surprising and meaningful ways.
📖 Cred: Hyper-realistic.

Mood Reading Match-Up:
Fresh grass. Misty lake. Ripe persimmon. Karaoke bar. Stained glass. Choral voices. Sobbing. Jane Eyre.
-Psychological literary fiction
-Show-more-than-tell commentary on power dynamics, abuse, misogyny, and victim blaming
-Coming of age examination of friendships with consequences
-Stream of consciousness essay style
-Jumping between thoughts and characters
-Observational (from a distance) character focused narratives
-Book club/buddy read deep dives
-Topics from a 1990s/early 2000s viewpoint (unfortunately much is still relevant today)
-Second hand cringe, morally complex characters
-Symbolism and metaphors with a touch of purple prose
-Large cast of characters
-Random snapshot POVs that ultimately interconnect

Content Heads-Up: Physical assault. Victim shaming/blaming. Sexual assault, rape (by partner; intoxicated/no memory). Peer rejection. Bullying (rumours, body shaming). Misogyny. Medical (discussion; STIs, cervical cancer, pus). Alcohol (casual, parties). Possible false accusation. Abortion. Parental/in-law pressure. Suicidal ideation, planning (on page, descriptive). Loss of grandparent. Toxic masculinity. Body shaming (weight gain, ageing). Incest, pedophilia (very brief mention). Infertility.

Rep: Dark and light skin tones. Korean. Cisgender. Heterosexual.

📚 Format: Advance Reader’s Copy from Pushkin Press and NetGalley.

My musings 💖 powered by puppy snuggles 🐶

"Another Person" by Kang Hwagil is a powerful and necessary exploration of the long-lasting consequences of sexism and misogyny on university campuses, particularly in South Korea.
The story follows Jina, a woman who returns to her alma mater after seeing an anonymous comment online that forces her to confront the trauma she experienced during her time at university. The comment is a cruel and vicious attack, using language that is both hurtful and familiar. It's a jarring reminder of the toxic culture that women often face on campus.
As I read this novel, I was struck by the way it highlights how women are often pitted against each other, competing for attention and validation from men. The characters in this book are complex and multi-dimensional, but they are also brutal in their treatment of each other. It's a difficult read, not because it's graphic or gratuitous, but because it's a searing indictment of how women are dehumanized and objectified.
The writing is sharp and intelligent, with a keen eye for detail. The author doesn't shy away from exploring the darkest corners of human nature but also offers moments of hope and resilience. It's a testament to the strength and solidarity of the women who have survived these experiences.
If I have any criticisms, it's that the storylines can be a bit messy at times. The multiple perspectives and timelines can be confusing, and it took me a while to keep track of who was speaking and when. But overall, this is a minor quibble in a powerful and necessary novel.
"Another Person" is a book that will stay with me for a long time. It's a wake-up call to all of us who have been complacent about how women are treated on campus. It's a reminder that we must do better, that we must create spaces where women can thrive without fear of harassment or violence. This book is a necessary step towards that goal.

3.5*

A compelling and powerful story about Kim Jina and her experience with sexual assault and harassment in the workplace by her boyfriend who is also her colleague. Her story leads to her being trolled online by anonymous users as well as her own colleagues who believe that she “deserves” it in some way. We meet more Korean women who have suffered from sexual assault and rape throughout the book and learn how it has affected their lives. It is so infuriating to hear the men’s perspectives and how they blame the women for having a “victim complex”. The women are made to feel guilty about their own assault, thinking that it’s their fault when they didn’t even do anything!

The story can be a bit confusing to follow with all the character POVs and changes from past to present but once you become more familiar with each character, it becomes a little easier.

I’m glad the women kind of came together at the end to help make a stand against the main perpetrator instead of continuing to put each other down.

Thank you to netgalley and Pushkin Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review ✨

Formatting for kindle isn't completely polished, with some capitalization in the wrong places (start of each chapter), or missed entirely.

The exploration of feminism and societal expectations of women from a South Korean perspective is eye-opening, as there are more social complexities that international audiences may not have considered.

I greatly enjoyed the commentary on how societal pressure makes women internalise misogynistic ideals and turn against other women who have had the same experiences - punishing those who speak against abuse and campaigning for change.

I wish there was more in-depth discussion to questions raised as there seems to be a quantity over quality issue later into the book (discussion of religion, abortion, rape, guilt, blame...etc). These feel incomplete and open ended - leaving readers to come to conclusions rather than suggesting solutions that align with the characters beliefs.

The use of perspectives can be confusing due to formatting and the many characters that the reader has to follow. Lee Kanghyun and Kim Donghee could have been characters that were discussed through Jina or Sujins memories.

It may be an issue of translation and localisation however Donghee is comically evil, seen without a hint of remorse, understanding, or compassion. This may be intentional due to the books feminist message, however all men are written to be extremely terrible or for the case of Sujins husband 'he's a good guy' with little explanation of what makes him good - along with continuous speculation that he's actually bad. (To be fair to the author; Lee Kanghyun is also written to be complacent and misogynistic).

Overall I enjoyed the book and look forward to new works by the author, with hopefully more two-dimensional characters.

This book had some heavy content and was an infuriating read. The topics of gender politics, sexism, sexual assaults and abusive relationships were well-handled. It was a painful but a thought provoking book.

Thank you so much Kang Hwagil, Pushkin Press and Netgalley for this ARC copy!

Be warned when starting this novel that it has some difficult subject matter. The author explores abusive relationships, sexual assaults, and other issues of sexism in modern day Korea. Although this book as heavy content, it is still a compelling read that people will be talking about for years to come.

We all know how toxic today's culture can be and Kang Hwagil uses her extraordinary gift with words to put the reader directly into all of those toxic problems, while showing how someone can survive, can become stronger, and can learn to rise above the trauma that has been inflicted on them.

Beautifully written; heartbreakingly depressing; completely satisfying.

Honestly its been a week or two and I still can't tell if I liked this or not - thats nothing to do with the writing or translation but more the content.

You follow the main protagonist as she's attempting to claim back her narative after being assaulted by her boyfriend. The focuses on internal monolouge and its something I am not necessarily a fan of which I think is why I struggled.

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my free digital ARC!

This was a tough read - perhaps surprising to no one given it's pitched as the #MeToo meets Kim JiYoung, Born 1982. It starts out with a woman living in the aftermath of a domestic abuse case with her ex-partner, a colleague, which has resulted in a shit storm of social media hate - aimed at her. Another Person explores the culture of sexual violence against women in South Korea (specifically on university campuses), the misogyny that's ingrained in a lot of South Korean men, as well as beauty standards and colourism.

It's absolutely an infuriating read, and about midway through it did start to grind me down a bit, become tiresome. We spend a lot of time in the heads of and interacting with men who firmly believe women to be inferior. Men who claim to be feminists then go on to spout the most misogynistic drivel you've ever heard. Men who use back-handed compliments and gaslighting to manipulate women into staying in abusive relationships. Men who think women owe them something for doing something vaguely kind. Men who prey on vulnerable and lonely girls. Often times the women don't fare much better. It's brutal the way some of them turn on other girls, quick to slut-shame and victim blame, turning mean and cold so that they don't find themselves associated with girls with a 'reputation'. But there is a note of hope as the women in the book overcome the competitiveness society tries to ingrain in them, in order to life and support one another.

This book flits between timelines and perspectives, showing how everyone knows someone who's been affected in some way by sexual violence. However, the storylines started to get a bit jumbled for me. It would be difficult for a while to figure out who was speaking, and which period we were in.

Also I learned while reading this book that South Korea has something legally defined as 'quasi-rape' so that was fun.

A must-read if you're looking for a book that explores the MeToo movement and sexual violence, but just go in prepared.