I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokpokki by Back Se-hee is translated by Hyacintha Lousia.
This book is a non-fiction, memoir that has a conversation between the psychiatrist and the author.
I gave this book 4 stars because I enjoyed reading this book. The conversation between the psychiatrist and the author was interesting. It takes courage to share your personal information in a book. That is why I love reading memoirs and non-fiction books. You learn so much from other people’s experiences and lives.
Throughout the conversation between the author and the psychiatrist, I felt that some part resembled me. I also feel similarly to the author. I felt connected to so many places throughout the book.
I wonder about others like me, who seem totally fine on the outside but are rotting on the inside, where the rot is the vague state of being not fine and not devasted at the same time.
– Back Se-eeh
I am still wondering whether the author received any help or not because I did not see any positive outcomes.
One thing that I learned from this book is that our childhood plays an important role in our personalities as an adult. I firmly believe that we all are different and most of the time it’s because we had different childhood experiences.
I am not happy with the therapy session she received. Even after 3 months of therapy, she is still struggling. This makes me more reluctant to take help outside. In my opinion, I do not think therapy works when we are not true to ourselves. I may be wrong, but this is my opinion. You can disagree.
I hope you will listen to a certain overlooked and different voice within you. Because the human heart, even when it wants to die, quite wants at the same time to eat some tteokbokki, too.
– Back Se-eeh
The use of food, tteokbokki is a metaphor for comfort. It reminds readers that simple things like food can help people overcome stress.
The only good thing about these therapies is that they lighten the patient and the psychiatrist is not going to judge you.
You may or may not like this book. It is a good book on mental health and how therapy works. It is a case study, easy to read and understand. Overall, “I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokpokki” is a beautifully written book that talks about mental health and celebrates the small joys that life brings.
There is always hope even when someone wants to die. Life is full of hopes. -PenOfHearts
