Initially, this novel had me gripped. It had such a unique premise and I was intrigued by the 4 female perspectives. There are so many new concepts that the author introduces to Western readers; I loved understanding the beauty standards and the struggles of the younger generation in Korea. The writing and pacing was also very well done. However, not all of the characters had a complete story arc. I wanted to know more about Wonna and Ara, but most of the story was about Kyuri and Miho. There were also many themes introduced but not all of them were explored very well. By the end, the story had lost its wonderful depth. I still liked the story but I could see the potential for more here if the author had stuck to fewer characters and more concentrated themes.

This book touches on a lot of subjects and a lot of lives. It explores the extreme beauty culture in Korea through the lives of four women. While their lives are difficult their friendships sustain them.

I absolutely adored this novel. It's gotten a lot of hype since it was released, and for good reason. This is an incisive, character-focused novel following the perspectives of 4 women living in South Korea. And I loved every one of those perspectives. Frances Cha weaves in some really memorable commentary throughout this, and I was rooting for these women the whole way. This is a short novel, but it's definitely a standout one. I definitely recommend it to anyone interested in a literary fiction/contemporary novel with a focus on character, especially female characters.

This is a debut novel by Frances Cha. It's set in present day Seoul, Korea and centers around four young women who all live in the same apartment building. In the beginning I was fascinated by these four women and their stories, it just fizzled out for me by the end.

That being said, I learned a lot. The four women in the story are Kyuri, who is beautiful and her goal in life is to be beautiful and make her beauty work for her. She works in one of the many room salons around the city and through her we see that part of the culture and lifestyle that exists.

Miho is Kyuri's roommate who studied art in New York and has now returned back to Korea. From Miho we learn about the orphanages that exist because that is how she grew up and she is also in a relationship with a "bazillionaire", so we see the disparity between men who are rich and poor girls brought up in orphanages.

Ara works in a hair salon, very different than the "room salons", and often does hair for the women who work in the room salons. From Ara, really Ara's best friend, we learn about the world of plastic surgery and the standards that exist, that seem extreme for my western mind, but are mainstream in Korea. Ara herself, has a very painful past and a heartbreaking story.

Finally, there is Wonna and her husband who have been trying to have a child and haven't succeeded. Their desire to have a family is also stressful because of financial concerns.

All four stories become intertwined and the book really brings the culture to life. That was my favourite part of the book. Korean culture is not one I know much about. Some of what I learned was shocking and I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. Through these characters Frances Cha gives us a glimpse into Korean cultural norms, the standards women are expected to adhere to, both in appearance and manner, sexism and the hierarchy of class that exists.

Frances Cha is an author, I would definitely read again.

Bookworm Rating: 🐛🐛🐛🐛

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love books that give us a glimpse into different cultures and this was no different. I knew a general background about the standards of beauty in South Korea but the intensity of the situations these women faced surprised me. The characters portrayed in this book are flawed but they are independent and powerful women and I think that was the most interesting aspect of this book. There are several plots moving side by side which I know some people find disconcerting, but I thought it fitting for the atmosphere the writer wanted to create.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Penguin Random House Canada and Netgalley for a copy of If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha for review.

The women in this book are flawed but strong. Set in Korea where the plastic surgery and beauty culture is very strong, this book was a interesting look into a life I will never experience. I would recommend finding an own voices review for this one because I will never do it justice. I was so immersed in the world of room salons and plastic surgery and a class system so ingrained that it takes a lifetime of fighting just to increase your status a little bit. Completely different than my own life and the characters really grabbed me because of how hard they fight to get anything and try and keep it.

Alternating chapters, If I Had Your Face is a heart-breaking story following the lives of four young women living in the same apartment building. I loved that Cha did not shy away from patriarchial issues and capitalistic behaviours that woman in Korea face, and she also dives deep into the negative consequences of those issues. I would highly recommend this one, especially for those interested in Korean culture such as K-pop!

I was drawn to this book because of the beautiful cover and after reading the description I was intrigued to read it. I'm a feminist and very interested in beauty standards around the world and how they affect people so this book was perfect! I was blown away with how real these women felt, at times they annoyed me, they surprised me, they made me want to protect them. I loved getting a glimpse into their lives and while there is a part of me that wants more and for their stories to have a satisfying conclusion where they all end up living happily ever after, I actually really enjoyed that the novel ends with them still in the place they were when they started. Although that being said there is still character growth and I felt so hopeful for these girls at the end knowing they had each other and for now that's enough. All in all, If I Had Your Face was a very beautiful book that doesn't shy away from the brutal truths of how women are affected by cruel and unrealistic beauty standards.

A beautiful book. I felt it really transported me to South Korea and I learned a lot about Korean culture. No matter where we are from, women face the same struggles in regards to the expectations of society. I agree with others that while it can get dark, it is also beautiful.

I requested to review If I Had Your Face after reading an article reviewing the book. I was unaware of the plastic surgery culture in Korea, so I was excited to learn more about it. Unfortunately, I had to DNF If I Had Your Face at 52% because of the lack of direction and writing.

If I Had Your Face follows four women as they navigate Seoul and its impossible beauty standards. Dangerous plastic surgeries with lengthy recovery times are the goal for many women. These types of surgeries open up a world of possibilities as beauty is highly coveted.

There is little to no direction in If I Had Your Face. I assumed it would focus on the lives of women who had the surgery or were preparing to get the surgery. Though this is the case, the focus is not on the surgery. Instead, If I Had Your Face focuses on everything and anything. There are long tangents about random aspects of their lives that are not all related. This does give context to life in Korea, but it takes up too much space. I found myself skimming through pages of menial conversations about K-pop bands.

As mentioned previously, If I Had Your Face follows four different women. Unfortunately, the writing is flat and bland, so all the narratives read the same. I would be halfway through a chapter and forget whose chapter I was reading. In terms of writing style, there is very little to distinguish the women from each other.

Overall, I wanted to enjoy If I Had Your Face and learn something new. Instead, If I Had Your Face gives readers too much of an intimate look into these women’s lives without focus.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher Penguin Random House Canada for an advance reader’s copy of this book for an honest review,

I don’t know much about South Korean culture and this book was a fascinating look into the obsession with beauty , class and even K-pop . The story is told from the perspective of four women, although really there are five main characters/ friends.

The story weaves back and forth in flashbacks to give insights into the background of each of the women, and how they ended up where they are in life. I loved the strong female characters who, against all odds, build a life for themselves and support each other in their struggles, despite their differences .

I did find the ending a bit abrupt, because I guess I would have liked it all tied up with a nice bow, but I understand why the author ended the books where she did.

If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha is a novel about four Korean women living in Seoul, South Korea. It was really interesting to read about a different culture. I’m a big fan of k-pop so it was fun that one of the women in this book is a big fan too.
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Overall I enjoyed the story and how all their lives interconnected but I felt the ending was very abrupt.