This book is a gripping combination of a revenge plot, an unhinged woman, and horror, all written and executed brilliantly. The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim is something you don’t want to miss!
Title: The Eyes Are the Best Part
Author: Monika Kim
Published: June 25, 2024
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Crime, Feminism, Fiction, Horror, Immigrants, Korean, Mystery, Thriller
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Trigger Warnings: Body Horror, Cannibalism, Stalking, Violence, War Trauma
Summary
The Eyes are the Best Part is about Ji-won, a young woman whose life spirals into chaos after her father’s affair and departure. Her family is broken—her mother is devastated, her sister is confused, and Ji-won herself is failing in college. Meanwhile, she experiences disturbing dreams filled with bloody rooms and blue eyes, eyes eerily similar to those of George, her mother’s new and unpleasant boyfriend. As George imposes on her family, Ji-won’s resentment grows, fueling her desire for revenge.
Review
This book is exceptionally well done. It blends horror, misogyny, and Asian fetishization through the perspective of a child of Korean immigrants. The writing is so strong, and everything comes together so seamlessly that I have nothing but high praise for it.
The portrayal of being the first child of immigrant parents is incredibly realistic, and I say this from my own experience in an Asian household. This book is far from boring—it’s filled with horrifying yet exceptionally well-written scenes. The imagery feels so vivid that it evokes powerful emotions, including the unsettling feeling of being gazed at by the blue eyes on the cover. This is entirely fitting for a book that delves into the fetishization of Asians by, metaphorically speaking, blue-eyed men
I love how the book contrasts Asian fetishization with the protagonist’s desire for blue eyes. It’s as if she wants to reclaim what’s being taken from her throughout the story, which adds another layer of meaning.
In contrast to Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica, which feels like a constant parade of shocking scenes without much plot or character development, this book has a much more balanced narrative.
We also see the blossoming of friendships and sibling relationships, which contribute to the characters’ development. The book has two major themes running through it—horror and social commentary—that are seamlessly intertwined. So, in the grand scheme of things, this book isn’t just about horror. Unlike Tender Is the Flesh, which constantly depicts violation and dehumanization, this book strikes a perfect balance between horror, plot pacing, and meaningful discourse.
This book surprised me. I was impressed by how well the plot, themes, pacing, and scenes all came together. The reason I gave it one star less, despite enjoying so much about it, is because I’m not a fan of the writing style. I tend to prefer a more literary style, like Tender is the Flesh have. But overall, it fits the narrative well, so it’s really just a matter of personal preference.
Final Thoughts
This is a fantastic book that seamlessly blends character development, pacing, and entertainment with horror. What I love most is how important discourses, like misogyny and Asian fetishization, are woven into the narrative—it all fits together perfectly.
I highly recommend this to fans of horror lit fiction. I have a feeling you’ll enjoy it. For those who want to dip their toes into the genre, this is a great introduction. In my opinion, it’s not as heavy on the horror as other books I’ve read, like Lapvona or Tender Is the Flesh.
What is your favorite part of this book? Please let me know down in the comments! 💚
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