Okay. Firstly, I loved how short it was. We went STRAIGHT to the point from the first page and I’m very very happy about it. The only reason it took so long to read is I kept falling asleep, book in hand in bed !!

SOOOO good, Kafka on the Storm X Girl Interrupted.

Desire/pure instinct/releasing all inhibitions and being one with nature - soooo many great themes.

I just ADORE Korean horror (although this does not count at that?) thriller, murder vibes !!!! I can’t quite put my finger on the genre of this book, which is a cool thing in itself ! Very raw and animalistic. Vampire - esque, which is always fun sexy.

As much as her husband deeply irritates me, it’s very cool that it’s from his POV. Strong, slightly psychotic female protagonists are a favourite of mine- but this being described through a male perspective is something I didn’t know I could
Enjoy this much !


SORRY PLOT TWIST! The man in the second chapter - I was confused at first I thought it was a side narrative within the book. But the woman he’s obsessed with is THE VEGETARIAN! Mind blown!! Such a good plot and character development. Tortured artists in love with his sister-in-law. Inject it into my veins. So dramatic, so forbidden- very Romeo and Juliet.

As a florist - the painting scene was important for me. The emotional release as he finally paints his vision was very cathartic. Having an aching desire for someone is something some people can only dream of.

Although the story discusses marriage in a negative way - how exhausted and strained the relationships are- it’s written in a way that still feels light and fresh. A story of worn out relationships. 3 failing loves all intertwined.

A gentle, respectful tale of mental health, suppressed feelings, and of losing control of your mind. A obscure and honestly, quite magnificent take on the ending of a life.
challenging dark reflective fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

im something of a madwoman myself



this book had some genuinely stunning prose, and even uncomfortable moments were written in such a delicate and artful way. the depiction of madness was beautifully heartbreaking.

i only wish that we had seen more from in-hye’s perspective, a complex character who, in my eyes, is the true victim of this novel. a mother who realises she hasn’t truly lived, watching her sister break free from the constraints they both face while she herself feels she could never do the same, working hard to provide for her family, protecting her younger sister, shouldering all burdens a woman must face in life. still, she cannot go “mad” as her younger sister does. she still has to continue, despite it all. yeong-hye, too, is a victim of the circumstances, of her mind, but in-hye seems to suffer this and more.

the author’s decision to narrate most of the novel from the male perspective is a pretty traditional method when criticising the patriarchy and the male gaze, so i can agree with some who feel it’s less than necessary. still, the depiction is artful and depressing, a blasé narration of some arguably awful men watching the women in their life suffer and still acting like they suffer more. the male narration of their female counterparts is morbidly fascinating, and frightening.

overall, the novel artfully handles the society women live in today, with a compelling plot that watches the progression of mental illness and how it digs its claws into every single witness. the video art section was probably my favourite part, despite the adultery and objectification. i found myself honestly taken by the description of the colours and flowers.

10/10 would recommend to anyone and everyone
challenging dark 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

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

A challenging and dark read but worth the effort.