Reviews

植物妻子 by Han Kang, 한강

prosewhore's review against another edition

3.0

I enjoy Han Kang's writing style even if I do find it very bizarre, with its overpowering magical realism. Every read is quite the experience.
Apparently this short story (available online) was a precursor to "The vegetarian". Both stories being very similar it wasn't as suspensful as it was when I first encountered her concept yet I think I may enjoy the short version more.
I'd be interested to know if the writer herself has experience with eating disorder..

james1star's review against another edition

dark emotional lighthearted mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Like ‘The Vegetarian’, this is another experience to read. Despite sharing some themes, the Fruit of My Woman is definitely more lighthearted and pleasant to read. That being said, it’s considerably more non-real - it’s hard to explain but it’s somewhat supernatural. I’m not describing it that well but basically it follows the story of a couple (8 chapters in total all but the 7th a first-person account from the husband’s perspective) and how the wife becomes a plant. Han Kang once again fills the pages with such intense, vivid depictions of the two character, their surroundings and what is happening. The continuous references to plant life and nature are so well penned - truly a captivating, beautiful yet strange read. Yh I don’t exactly know what else to say but I would definitely recommend this book. My favourite chapter was the 7th which is written like a letter to her mother as you get to see the story from her perspective but in total was a great read. Short and sweet, weird and wonderful, mind blowing and magnifying. 

This short story came at the end of my version of The Vegetarian and I love that I had the opportunity to read more of Kang’s work, especially after the former novel and I cannot wait to explore more of her work. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement and Vomit

shadeyc's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Weird and sad, and also oddly beautiful - there is some stellar writing going on here. 

karolyne's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective

4.75

i know i will constantly think about this for MONTHS

loxeletters's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

kpkuegler's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

this was haunting. it is so much better than the vegetarian and makes me wonder why kang would have written the vegetarian. it also has me questioning deborah’s translating skills because this felt much smoother and more poetic. 

chiedzamupita's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

4.0

maaryaam's review against another edition

4.0

Everything that I was noting to write in my review as I was reading it was addressed in the translator's notes so I feel like I was robbed of a review basically. It very much does read as The Vegetarian (my love) in its early forms and I love The Vegetarian so <3 givemeeverythingaboutit. It was nice I liked it.

nprjindal's review against another edition

3.0

I'm not sure how I feel about the translator's note, though :/

iammair's review against another edition

4.0

This manages to be so immersive in so few pages. While the husband sets up the scene for what's happening, as soon as the woman starts talking, something just... sprouts inside you. This is not a pun or a joke - I could feel it all at once: the despair mixed with a bittersweet feeling of relief and uncertainty. Her connection with nature and everything around her. The giving of oneself to something bigger and unknown.