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Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm
Graphic: Eating disorder, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Forced institutionalization
Graphic: Animal death, Eating disorder, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Blood
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Forced institutionalization
The Vegetarian was the 2016 winner. It is a dark and unsettling story set in motion when Yeong-hye decides to stop eating meat. This seeming innocuous decision sets off a chain of events culminating in a mental health crisis for Yeong-hye. The story unfolds in three parts but we never hear from Yeong-hye herself. Instead the sections are told from the perspective of her husband, her brother-in-law and her sister. The writing was beautiful, in a crisp and concise way, rather than being overly long and flowery. It can be read as an extended metaphor looking at the pressure put on women to conform to society’s expectations and to meet the needs of others, the toll this takes on them, and the price that is exacted when they rebel. More literally it is a dark look at a woman’s descent into madness and the lack of care given to her by her family and by institutions which should be helping her. Strange and disturbing, but also gripping.
Graphic: Eating disorder, Mental illness, Rape, Forced institutionalization
The second part I feel had the best imagery. The artist was focused on his work and I liked how it intertwined with the story.
The third part was...strange.
I had a personal connection with the main character as I'm vegetarian as well. However, there was a lot more going on with the main character. Definitely an eating disorder and probably psychosis. It's not really made clear.
Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Confinement, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Forced institutionalization, Grief
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Rape, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Dementia
I honestly not sure if I love it or not, but 4 stars is the right score for me. Oddly enough, I can see myself re-reading this book over and over again.
Graphic: Eating disorder, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment
Graphic: Eating disorder, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Suicide attempt