Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

The Vegetarian by Han Kang

378 reviews

ashley666's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Han Kang's The Vegetarian tells the story of a woman who rebels against societal norms, told in three parts from the perspective of three different people in her life. This is a highly disturbing book that doesn't shy away from depictions of sexualised violence and extreme mental anguish, but these elements are used beautifully to illustrate the crushing effects patriarchy and other systems of oppression can have on women and those who don't otherwise fit into the neat little boxes polite society expects them to conform to. Totally captivating from start to finish with sharp, poignant social criticism that feels as relevant today as back when this was first published.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Body shaming, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Pregnancy, Alcohol

patydenisse's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional sad fast-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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This is the first Asian book I’ve read and it did not disappoint. 
There’s a reason why it has a Nobel price. Really crazy story but very realistic. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Dementia, Cannibalism, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment

bookfullofcoffee's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective tense

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The Vegetarian - Han Kan

I have no idea how to rate this book or what to say about it. I would recommend going into this one fairly blind (although do check the trigger warnings) and keeping an open mind. It's not a book that I would recommend to many people. 

If you enjoy books that explore the effects of societal issues, oppression of women, body autonomy, etc,  done in a more surreal approach, then this might be one for you. I got the sense that the author created this book intending to create questions rather than answer any. So if books devoid of concrete conclusions or points frustrate you, give this one a miss. 

There's a lot you can unpack and discuss in this one, and I liked how the Kan approached it. I think this is going to be one that sits with me and pops back up

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail

mellgo's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 20%

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To heavy topic, could not deal with the abuse of a woman

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence

luciam's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Violence

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Abandonment

anlee_pl's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Suicide attempt

madi_landsberg's review against another edition

3.0

dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment

glassflowrr's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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This was my first reread after picking this masterpiece up for the first time in 2022. Han Kang is a once-in-a-lifetime writing powerhouse, especially when it comes to her characters. The twist of having the entire story told from the perspectives of anyone but Yeonghye, who is the one suffering the most (I won't say she is the only one though as her sister Inhye is also going through some rough shit as Yeonghye's condition progresses), adds incredible depth. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting

chlmounika27's review against another edition

2.75

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

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I am not sure if I missed the point, or what was happening with the main character in the book. Author definitely touches the issues of patriarchy, superstition, and expectations from women in Asian communities. But at the end of the book, I am not sure what the takeaway is, and that’s the main reason for my rating. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt

suspiciousbiscotti's review against another edition

dark fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Suicide attempt

Moderate: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood