This book was like no other. It had me thinking so deeply not only about society but the state of it and the impact that has on the every day person. How capitalism controls us and we always fall victim too. This book explored themes that not many novels touch but did it in a way that was not too hard to digest and understand. I was intrigued to see where the story would go and absolutely adored our characters. The translation of this novel was done so well and I really enjoyed how it still included some Korean traditions and representation. This is a book for all

Thank you to the publishers for my ARC.

I enjoyed reading this book, it explores some really interesting themes. It’s easy to read and not too heavy, and leaves you with plenty to think about in regards to society and culture.

3.75 ⭐️

Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

For the first part of this, I was unsure of the direction the author was taking - was this purely slice-of-life, or did it have supernatural elements? It eventually became clear that this was firmly rooted in reality, and in fact it is a champion of the mundane. Day to day things are still as important in our lives as extraordinary events.

The story really came alive in the relationship between the main character and narrator, Dahae, and her two friends who work at the same company. Anyone who has had a small group of office friends can relate to the way very different people are almost forced to forge bonds. The ups and downs of their friendship bounced around as much as the cryptocurrency they were tracking. This was my favourite aspect of this book.

Although cryptocurrency plays a big role in what happens to the characters, you do not need any in depth knowledge about it to follow this story. It provides a good deal of tension through the narrative, and it made me reflect on how I would handle deciding when to invest or sell. Towards the end of the book the tension dissipates, and the mundane creeps back in. I was a bit disappointed by what happens in the end, yet also felt that it raises a lot of interesting questions about greed, what truly brings us stability and happiness, and how our modern systems are rigged to keep all but the most daring people in their lane.

Overall I enjoyed this book and I am keen to purchase a copy upon release.

To the Moon by Jang Ryujin is a poignant and relatable exploration of friendship, ambition, and the pursuit of financial freedom in modern-day South Korea. With its sharp social commentary, heartfelt character dynamics, and bittersweet tone, this bestselling South Korean phenomenon is a must-read for fans of contemporary fiction and stories that delve into the complexities of life, love, and class.

The story follows three young women—Eun-sang, Jisong, and Dahae—who meet while working mundane desk jobs at a confectionary manufacturer in Seoul. Bonding over their shared frustrations with their “average” employee evaluations, their incompetent male team leader, and their dreams of escaping the grind, the trio forms a close friendship. However, their lives take a dramatic turn when Eun-sang proposes a risky plan to achieve financial freedom: investing their life savings in cryptocurrency.

Eun-sang, the eldest and most ambitious of the group, is always looking for ways to earn extra money, even if it means bending the rules at work. Jisong, the youngest, dreams of a perfect romance with her Taiwanese boyfriend and spends her modest salary on trips to Taipei. Dahae, caught in the middle, is perpetually searching for a better apartment that fits her budget. When Eun-sang suggests they invest in cryptocurrency, the trio sees it as their ticket to a brighter future. But as the market fluctuates and their investments spiral out of control, their friendships and futures are put to the test.

One of the standout features of To the Moon is its authentic and relatable portrayal of modern life in South Korea. Ryujin captures the pressures of work, the allure of quick wealth, and the struggles of navigating class and financial instability with nuance and empathy. The characters are vividly drawn, each with their own dreams, flaws, and vulnerabilities, making them feel like real people rather than archetypes.

The friendship between Eun-sang, Jisong, and Dahae is the heart of the story, and Ryujin portrays their bond with warmth and authenticity. Their conversations, both light-hearted and deeply personal, are a highlight of the novel, offering moments of humour and poignancy. The tension that arises as their financial gamble begins to unravel adds a layer of suspense and emotional depth to the narrative.

Thematically, To the Moon explores issues of wealth, class, and the pursuit of the “good life” in a society where success often feels out of reach. The novel also delves into the complexities of female friendship and the ways in which external pressures can strain even the closest relationships. These themes are handled with sensitivity and insight, making the story both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.

If there is a minor critique, it is that some readers may find the pacing a bit slow in places, particularly in the early chapters. However, this is a small quibble in an otherwise masterfully crafted novel.

To the Moon is a must-read for fans of contemporary fiction and stories that explore the intersection of personal and societal struggles. Jang Ryujin has created a novel that is as insightful as it is engaging, offering readers a chance to reflect on their own dreams, choices, and relationships.

A bittersweet and deeply relatable tale, To the Moon is a must read from Jang Ryujin.

A straightforward, slice-of-life story that doesn't shy away from examining the hardships and suffering that many people endure under capitalism.

A propulsive story that kept me on the razor wire of anxious and hopeful for our protagonists. Watching them gamble with their life savings was <i>so</i> stressful! Our characters were interesting: Jisong was easily my favourite because she seemed more reasonable and self-aware than the other two. Dahae was a close second: as the narrator, I felt a closeness to her that I didn't with the other two and I particularly liked her development arc as she recognized and called out the greed that her internalized capitalism was manifesting. Eun-sang was pushy and a bully; I admired her strength but she was so mean to her friends and rarely had any introspection about her actions.

The translation was strong: I particularly liked the inclusion of Korean terms, instead of watering down the language for English speakers. The sense of place was well done too: I could vividly see the cafés, Dahae's apartment, the trip to Jeju island. Most of all, I was surprised at the range of emotion I felt while reading: anger at the stupid company and how the women were treated, fear for the risks they were taking, hope that the risks would pay off, empathy for our characters and the choices they were driven to make...

I'm still sitting with some discomfort around the cryptocurrency and job culture themes. This would make an excellent book to discuss with others because it's multi-layered and could be read as both an endorsement and admonishment of both! I'm going with the latter.

The cover art is phenomenal and I liked the chapter structures (and the chapter heading font!).

I was privileged to have my request to review this book approved by Bloomsbury on NetGalley.