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Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'

The Vegetarian by Han Kang

617 reviews

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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challenging dark sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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challenging dark tense slow-paced
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

after reading this book i kind of had to sit there and question what i just read? i don’t think this is a book that can be classed as “good” or “bad” because it’s main aim is to make you think, i would have liked to have had a part that showed yeong-hye (mc) thought process but i can see how having only outsider (husband, brother in law, sister) views is kinda the point? 
the book really delves into being a woman in a patriarchal view where you are to be seen as sexual for existing, to not be able to exist wholly for yourself without men enforcing themselves in relation to them? the mc is a woman who was raised in a family w a violent man to marry a man who is quick to hurt and leave her when she finally starts to crack and a brother in law who takes advantage of her when she’s vulnerable. it follows a woman and the consequences of her making a choice for herself, in making a choice to have control over her body in one of the ways only she can control -food. 
it was really interesting to see and having read the sisters pov and her sticking w her sister after the first two parts that made me feel sick? 
i read this in one sitting, not sure if if was wise for it deals w v v heavy subjects and it’s deffo a book that you would re read to question it all again. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

About mental illness and abuse. Partially out of the perspective of the abusers.The description on the cover of my edition is grossly misleading. Be aware of the content warnings 

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Have you ever read a book that, when you finish, you just have to sit there and chew on it for a while? Like, the rest of your day is sort of a fog because it's so heavy on you? That's this book.

I was drawn to this book immediately because of the themes; I'll admit that I'm a sucker for books about deranged and somewhat violent women. However, what I got when reading this was miles different than what I was expecting. I still feel unsettled about the content a month later writing this review, but to my best knowledge, that's the intent. To make you question society, women's place in it, how mental health is treated, and to haunt you a bit. And it does that excellently and tastefully without sacrificing grit and nuance.

I will warn readers in advance that there is some potentially triggering content. The book has mentions and some brief depictions of rape, sexual assault, abuse, and eating disorders. A massive theme in this book is "the male gaze" and the subjugation of women who are seen as "other" or less than. There are sections that are written from the perspective of, without spoiling much, a male who is sexually violent in bursts. Typically, I struggle to get through rape/sexual assault scenes and mentions of it in literature. However, the writing in this book is masterfully done and does not lean sympathetically or gratuitously in any way when referencing such violence. In fact, it made me feel seen as a survivor, even if it was a deeply upsetting topic to push through.

Honestly, this book left me at a loss for words. I say that as a compliment. It is few and far between that a book leaves me this shaken. There is so much to unpack in such a short book that I feel like I could dedicate a day to mulling it over and still be left with a feeling of unease.

***** - Five stars

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dark slow-paced

Dark, explores a lot of dark places and answerless questions about existence. It'll make you depressed so watch when you read it, but at the same time it can be reassuring to know you aren't the only one thinking these things. 

(I started to get really nauseous, side effect of medicine I'm taking, right as I was finishing up the audiobook for a true immersive experience)

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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dark emotional mysterious fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

such an unsettling novel yet one so full of beauty and sensuality. not an 'easy read' by any means, but a very rewarding one nonetheless. 

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