Healing requires a continuous process of self-examination, most effective when paired with honesty and humility. South Korean writer Baek Sehee shares a revealing memoir documenting conversations with her psychotherapist. Sehee offers an intimate and probing look at one young woman’s journey toward emotional wellness as she unabashedly documents her reflections on her feelings and reactions to everyday bouts with self-esteem. We learn about coping skills for dealing with various challenges in friendships, family, and work relationships.
Sehee’s memoir is a testament to her courage. She candidly shares her experiences of surviving a car accident, leaving a job, and confronting harsh reviews of her work. Her bravery in sharing these personal experiences is inspiring and deeply resonating. As an Asian American, I found her insights into the societal pressures that women face in a Westernized society, such as unrealistic beauty standards, particularly enlightening. The struggle to meet these expectations can be draining and overwhelming.
I Want to Die But I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki is for the reader with experience in therapy and who understands the ups and downs of feelings and thoughts associated with anxiety disorder and clinical depression. Self-doubt, second-guessing, and annoyance are all emotions laid bare. Sehee is more than generous in sharing the unpredictable and erratic process of living with a chronic mental condition.
Editor's Note: This review was originally published in San Francisco Book Review.
