The Vegetarian
By Han Kang
Publisher: Hogarth
ISBN: 1101906111
Pages: 208
Genre: Fiction/Contemporary
My Blurb:
Yeong-hye is a very quiet woman, who lives and exceedingly normal life with her husband. Then the dreams begin. They are vivid and full of violence, depicting gruesome scenes of torture. Yeong-hye is driven to give up meat and begin life as a vegetarian and cleanse herself. However, the change is not welcomed by her controlling husband and a rift is created within their marriage. After he enlists the assistance of her family to attempt to correct her “behavior”, a string of ill-fated events ultimately drive Yeong-hye to detach from not only family, but herself and reality.
My Review:
This was a difficult read for me, and it is an even more challenging review. I have been sitting at my desk for longer than I will admit, and I still know the end results will not convey what I have taken away from The Vegetarian. Boldly written and consisting of just under 200 pages, there is an explosive amount happening from cover to cover. I was astonished and repulsed at the same time while each page beckoned me to continue. Yet I wanted to throw this book across the room and scream! So why was I so this so hard to read?
Han Kang’s writing is hauntingly beautiful, graphic (there is violent and sexual content) and captivating. Words easily transform from mere letters on pages into flowing imagery as the reader is fully submersed into a new world that refuses to let go. Reading this title is much like being hypnotized. Part of me wanted to break free. Yet I was drawn further and further in. I could not escape this story. It stirred something within me and continues to do so.
So why would I be compelled to throw this title across the room? Because it has also successfully infuriated me on a multitude of levels. This is Yeong-hye’s story and it is not a happy one. There are zero pleasantries. It is full of darkness, neglect and abuse. While it resonates with me, it also evokes strong feelings of anger and resentment. I discovered that I was completely disgusted with each character in this story for various reasons and was not prepared for this at all. It is is deep and packed to the brim with emotions.This is not an easy read for so few pages.
I feel safe classifying the characters as the main setting for The Vegetarian. It is what unfolds mentally that builds the world of this story. It will be impossible to elaborate in great detail on each without divulging spoilers or stripping away from the true effect of this book. I can tell you that while I found the main character to be stubborn, I was also incessantly annoyed with her moments of relentless silence. She felt utterly despondent whileI knew there had to be so much more happening under the surface. I wanted to shake it out of her. I was commpletely torn. Was her silence a weakness or a form of her strength?
“She’s a good woman, he thought. The kind of woman whose goodness is oppressive.”
― Han Kang, The Vegetarian
The Vegetarian is symbolic collision of hot buttons. A very personal reading experience that can only be interpreted by the individual. It may encite feelings surrounding issues of how culture effects women, mental health, and sexual desires. It may encourage you to view the human spirit on a new level and assess what happens when that spirit is neglected. I found myself questioning abandonment and isolation. What do these things do to us as a person? What happens when we are stripped of all support and left to suffer internally within the confines of our own mind?
“The pain feels like a hole swallowing her up, a source of intense fear and yet, at the same time, a strange, quiet peace.”
― Han Kang, The Vegetarian
With an enigmatic ending, the conclusion is entirely your own. That is part of what makes this title so impactful. I will be left to reflect on this story for days. The Vegetarian is a fantastic read for anyone who seeks thought-provoking fiction. Do not let its size mislead you. This one is powerful!
I received this book from Blogging for Books for this honest review, and I am easily giving this 4 stars.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Purchase a copy of The Vegetarian: A Novel on Amazon.com
I love your review! 🙂 I recently added this to my tbr and now I’m all the more excited to read it!
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It was really tough.. but it resonates. I hope you enjoy it. I will be curious to see what you take from this one 🙂
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Who knew that the decision to become a Vegetarian could have such consequences and build up an entire book. I’ve had my share of resentful characters for the moment, and its weight is also a little frightening so I think I’m going to pass this time, but good review which really reflect your true feelings.
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Haha thanks Inge! You are right.. the weight is intimidating 😉
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After reading your review I realize that I need to read this soon.😌
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It will be interesting to see how everyone else interprets this one. It really feels like such an individualized experience.
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Love your review…and am thoroughly interested in this book now 😊
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This one is wide open! The author has left so much for the reader to determine. I am sure that plenty will be put off by the few graphic scenes or horrible characters, but if you do read, please let me know what you take from it or post a review! I wanted to elaborate my thoughts more, but that my have given away too much.
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Interesting.i don’t mind graphic so will definitely have a read, hopefully soon! 😃
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Fantastic review, thank you for not giving away spoilers!!
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Thank you! I really try to avoid spoilers. I detest them 😉
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Wow, excellent review! This one did caught my attention and now even more!
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Thank you so much Annie! This was very hard to write. It is a truly unigue and personal read. I hope you take as much from it as I did 😊
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I applaud thee! When I read your blurb, I had to think of Margaret Atwood’s Edible Woman, but after reading your review, I realise it’s WAY different. I need some more fun reads for my current state of mind, but I’ll put this one on my TBR shelf anyways because of this amazing review!
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Thanks Anne! Yeah this is definitely not a “fun” one. Very dark and somewhat difficult. I think the reader’s own interpretation will determine whether they can appreciate it. Let me know if you ever read it. I am curious to hear thoughts😊
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Great review, although it seems like you were more frustrated by it than I was. I was mostly gob-smacked. I think you’re point about it being an individualised experience hits the nail on the head. I was speaking to some friends about this book who took away from it the right to die and the right to medical non-interference. The key theme I took away was how people can exert control when they feel powerless. Some momentous stuff, and only so very marginally about being vegetarian! I thought the translator did an amazing job too.
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Thank you. Haha, I was definitely frustrated. There were also parts toward the end that touched personally based on my nursing career I think.
The translation must have done very well, nothing felt lost. I can easily see how the right to refuse medical intervention would be drawn from this. There are definitely elements that draw us towards the control and abuse, and over all mental health. I was pulled a million ways reading this one. Even after I wrote the review, a ton of “what ifs” and various interpretations continued to surface.
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I have heard a lot of mixed reviews on this one and I am very curious about it, and in my attempt to read more book from other countries I think this could be a good choice. I suspect it’s going to be weird and probably unlike most books I have read but that could be perfect.
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This is one is a short read, but definitely not an easy one for me. It is full of emotion and very open to interpretation. It touches on several hot issues.
It will most likely be a very unique read for you. But it is a great read if you are seeking more diversity and I recommend checking it out. I would love to hear what you take from it 🙂
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