Book Review: Molka by Monika Kim
I had no idea what I was getting myself into, when I started reading Molka by Monika Kim. Based off the description, I knew it was going to be a lot. But I was unprepared for how terrible I would feel for Dahye and her situation. I had no idea how angry I would feel about these hidden spy cameras used by disgusting men.
But while it bummed me out, I was also completely engrossed in this story. I was on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next. So keep reading for my full book review of Molka by Monika Kim.
And if you enjoy thriller books, you can find more recs here.
What is Molka by Monika Kim About?
From the award-winning author of The Eyes Are the Best Part, praised by The New York Times Book Review as “violent, smart, gruesome and wildly original,” a provocative journey into a perilous world of voyeurism, scandal, female rage, and vengeance . . . pursued with a very sharp kitchen knife.
Molka: an abbreviation of molrae-kamera, a “sneaky camera” hidden to capture covert images and videos for voyeurs.
In an unassuming Seoul workplace, IT technician Junyoung’s network reaches throughout the entire building. He sees every entrance. Every lobby. Every bathroom. The women in this building may be cold and dismissive, but he can always pull up his favorite images of them and remember who holds the real power. Until one, Dahye, sets herself apart from the rest.
Dahye, ever the romantic, yearns to be cherished after years of living in the shadow of her perfect older sister, who tragically drowned years ago. Only her boyfriend seems to appreciate Dahye. He’s rich, handsome, and generous—and she’d do anything to hold on to the happiness he brings her.
But when a hidden camera scandal rocks the city’s elites, Dahye’s dreams of a fairy-tale romance twist into a grotesque nightmare. Her boyfriend abandons her. Her parents reject her. Her grip on reality begins to shatter as visions of her dead sister suddenly appear. And as Junyoung’s interest in Dahye turns to obsession, and the truths of their troubled lives are revealed, Dahye must go to extreme lengths to bring the truth to light . . . (from Amazon.com)
My Initial Thought
I can be a little naive when it comes to certain things, so I found the plot of this book really shocking. I had no idea that there was a “spy cam epidemic” in South Korea. I was really horrified after I finished the first chapter and realized what Junyoung was doing in his office building.
It’s very unsettling to think about having your most private moments videotaped and shared without your consent. But it makes for a very interesting plot in this book. I was immediately intrigued and wanted to find out how Dahye and Junyoung’s stories would intertwine.
The Thriller Aspect
I enjoyed the thriller aspect of this book. After a private moment between Dahye and her rich boyfriend is shared online, he immediately ghosts her. And she is devastated. It’s really sad to see her world come crashing down as everybody, including her family, voices their disappointment in her. Well, everybody except for her 1 loyal friend.
That’s where the rage comes in. I was so angry reading this and imagining about how this is a real crime that is inflicted upon women all the time. It disgusts me.
I liked how Dahye worked in this story to try to figure out what happened and who did it. I also like how she visited an activist group of women, fighting against the molka cameras.
The Horror Aspect
Something that Dahye deals with everyday is the death of her older sister. So when things get especially bad and she starts seeing her sister in bad moments, that is not very comforting. I thought that added a really spooky element to this story and made the ending even more horrifying.
Would I Recommend Molka by Monika Kim?
Yes. It’s a dark story, but it’s also very entertaining. And it gave me a lot to think about. The best books are the ones that make you sit there and think for a while after you’ve finished. It’s been over a month now and I still think about this story.
In Conclusion
Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you found my review of Molka by Monika Kim interesting. I wanted to share my praise, but not give too much away about the story. I think it’s best if you’re taken by surprise at some things.
Monika Kim has also written The Eyes are the Best Part, which I have checked out from Kindle Unlimited. I’m hoping to add it to much Summer reading list!
