If I Had Your Face

More about the book

A glitteringly dark and unsettling debut novel about four young women struggling to survive in South Korea. The narrative immerses readers in contemporary Seoul, where extreme plastic surgery is as routine as haircuts, and women vie for positions in secret 'room salons' to entertain wealthy businessmen. In this hyper-competitive city, the lives of four young women intersect: Kyuri, whose beauty and status at an exclusive salon are jeopardized by a mistake; Miho, an orphan awarded a scholarship to a prestigious art school in New York, entangled with the elite; Wonna, pregnant and uncertain about raising a child in a harsh economy; and Ara, a hair stylist whose obsession with a K-Pop star leads her to drastic actions. Each character's voice resonates clearly, creating a dangerously glittering harmony that captivates. The book has been described as engrossing, hilarious, and feminist, with a troubling yet enjoyable kaleidoscopic narrative. Critics have praised its unsettling and deeply affecting qualities, marking it as one of the year's most anticipated reads.