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dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Jenn Im said that her mother suggested this book for them to read together. I just have some questions…
The first section was upsetting. The second even more so. Both were sort of one note characters whose behavior was at best unsympathetic and at worst unabashedly violent. The third section, narrated by the main character’s sister, was a refreshing and tender reflection on caring for a loved one in severe crisis while navigating one’s own low-grade (in comparison) traumas. I wished we could have heard more from her earlier in the timeline of the story, since she only narrates the tail end, and the text ends with them in an urgent transitional moment. Overall a very different reading experience from Kang’s other novel that I just read.
The first section was upsetting. The second even more so. Both were sort of one note characters whose behavior was at best unsympathetic and at worst unabashedly violent. The third section, narrated by the main character’s sister, was a refreshing and tender reflection on caring for a loved one in severe crisis while navigating one’s own low-grade (in comparison) traumas. I wished we could have heard more from her earlier in the timeline of the story, since she only narrates the tail end, and the text ends with them in an urgent transitional moment. Overall a very different reading experience from Kang’s other novel that I just read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Eating disorder
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
Yeonghye tem um sonho assustador e decide não preparar nem comer mais carne, acompanhamos então a jornada de mudança física e mental e como isso afeta as pessoas à sua volta.
Leitura em conjunto que realizei do canal Literature no mês de janeiro, já tinha visto muitas recomendações da leitura e decidi que esse ia ser o momento certo para ler.
Li resenhas antes de começar a leitura e isso me ajudou a entrar preparada para ficar confusa e não criar expectativas irreais. Acredito que por isso a nota que dei para o livro por estar preparada para ele.
Gostei da escrita da autora, ela me deu uma sensação de que eu estava lendo mais rápido e absorvendo muito. Foi uma leitura curta e rápida, se eu não tivesse tentado me manter no cronograma, ia ter terminado bem antes.
Passamos o livro todo olhando a Yeonghye pelos olhos dos outros (primeiro, de seu marido, então seu cunhado e por último sua irmã), temos raros momentos em que entramos em sua cabeça e pegamos fragmentos de quem ela é para si.
O livro trata principalmente sobre a saúde mental da personagem e também sobre como os homens enxergam as mulheres. Os dois temas acabam se misturando e sendo uma consequência da outra. Tanto o marido dela como o seu cunhado a enxergam como o meio para algo que desejam e não uma pessoa.
Todos deveriam ler ele pelo menos uma vez na vida, é um livro que fala tanto com poucas palavras e é fácil de conseguir entender o significado com um pouco de reflexão.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content
dark
Not sure how I feel about the pacing in this one but i guess you could say that's on purpose to match the unease of the characters. Having the first 2 parts be in the perspective of the men is genius. you really see how little they think of the women in their lives & how they will never ever take any responsibility for their own actions. they will do awful evil things to both In-Hye & Yeong-Hye but describe it in the most mundane, matter-of-fact way.
This book as a whole is a huge commentary on misogyny in South Korea & the way that the family dynamic is specifically set up to put women last. A woman can never just exist. She has to be someone's wife, daughter, sister, mother, etc. I burned with anger everytime Yeong-Hye's husband refused to call her by name & solely said "my wife." I actually don't think he ever called her by name once.
The misogynies that drown our two female main characters - especially Yeong-Hye - is suffocating & it broke my heart that sheer hatred for women was the only thing stopping Yeong-Hye from getting much needed preventative mental health care. Like these men don't like women. They don't even see them. They just exist to service them however they want & then throw them away. It's no wonder Yeong-Hye was doing everything she could to escape her current existence.
My favorite part of the book was the last bit where In-Hye is attempting to take care of Yeong-Hye in the mental ward yet she seems too far gone. Reading about Yeong-Hye's Schizophrenia induced Anorexia was chilling. It was also interesting to know how the hospital worked and the way the patients existed within it. I like the somewhat opened-ended ending as well.
This book as a whole is a huge commentary on misogyny in South Korea & the way that the family dynamic is specifically set up to put women last. A woman can never just exist. She has to be someone's wife, daughter, sister, mother, etc. I burned with anger everytime Yeong-Hye's husband refused to call her by name & solely said "my wife." I actually don't think he ever called her by name once.
The misogynies that drown our two female main characters - especially Yeong-Hye - is suffocating & it broke my heart that sheer hatred for women was the only thing stopping Yeong-Hye from getting much needed preventative mental health care. Like these men don't like women. They don't even see them. They just exist to service them however they want & then throw them away. It's no wonder Yeong-Hye was doing everything she could to escape her current existence.
My favorite part of the book was the last bit where In-Hye is attempting to take care of Yeong-Hye in the mental ward yet she seems too far gone. Reading about Yeong-Hye's
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Medical content, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I find it difficult to write in words what I thought of this book. I picked it up with the belief I would enjoy it, and perhaps going into it with any expectations at all was my downfall. I did not enjoy this book.
I hated all of the characters, especially the male ones. Our main character, Yeong-hye, was nothing but an object to all of them. To her husband, someone to keep the house orderly. To her father, a punching bag. To her brother-in-law, an object of desire. I was, rightfully, uncomfortable reading about all of these men– intended I expect.
Typically I am alright when it comes to uncomfortable topics, and this book does not shy away from approaching any of them. However I found certain aspects to be completely unnecessary. The focus on Yeong-hye's breasts was on that particularly stood out to me. The descriptions vivid, detailed, however in terms of the plot held no significance.
I also found the changes in perspective between the characters to be jarring, especially with the time passing between each of them. I found it difficult to follow along when the perspective changed to both the brother-in-law and In-hye's. I understand that the point was to be disconnected from the characters, but despite this I struggled starting each perspective because I had no idea which character I was following. It completely threw me off and I had difficulty in following along until I knew who it was I was supposed to be following.
Overall I think this was a very ambitious novel, and for me it did not hit all of the marks. Partly due to the translation I presume, I found the writing to be quite disconnected from the source material in a way I cannot put my finger on. I also did not enjoy the open ending. I am just not a fan of those.
On a more positive level, I found certain quotes to be very beautiful, which brought my enjoyment of the novel up slightly. I think because certain descriptions in the final chapter were reminiscent of a song I love.
I hated all of the characters, especially the male ones. Our main character, Yeong-hye, was nothing but an object to all of them. To her husband, someone to keep the house orderly. To her father, a punching bag. To her brother-in-law, an object of desire. I was, rightfully, uncomfortable reading about all of these men– intended I expect.
Typically I am alright when it comes to uncomfortable topics, and this book does not shy away from approaching any of them. However I found certain aspects to be completely unnecessary. The focus on Yeong-hye's breasts was on that particularly stood out to me. The descriptions vivid, detailed, however in terms of the plot held no significance.
I also found the changes in perspective between the characters to be jarring, especially with the time passing between each of them. I found it difficult to follow along when the perspective changed to both the brother-in-law and In-hye's. I understand that the point was to be disconnected from the characters, but despite this I struggled starting each perspective because I had no idea which character I was following. It completely threw me off and I had difficulty in following along until I knew who it was I was supposed to be following.
Overall I think this was a very ambitious novel, and for me it did not hit all of the marks. Partly due to the translation I presume, I found the writing to be quite disconnected from the source material in a way I cannot put my finger on. I also did not enjoy the open ending. I am just not a fan of those.
On a more positive level, I found certain quotes to be very beautiful, which brought my enjoyment of the novel up slightly. I think because certain descriptions in the final chapter were reminiscent of a song I love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Mental illness, Rape
Moderate: Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt
Minor: Child abuse, Blood, Vomit
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
I love Han Kang and her ability to make you uncomfortable. That needs to be stressed before ever recommending her novels to other people.
I would like to also mention that you cannot expect a ‘happy ending’ to this book, she was doomed from the beginning.
Yeonghye was emotionally and mentally struggling and the people around her abandoned her, her own husband had deemed her as useless the second she showed signs of being sick. (“in sickness and in health” my ass).
it was a great read for me. I would not recommend it to people though, could be a hard read for most.
I would like to also mention that you cannot expect a ‘happy ending’ to this book, she was doomed from the beginning.
it was a great read for me. I would not recommend it to people though, could be a hard read for most.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Suicide attempt
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
SPOILERS FOR EVERYTHING
Overall, I really liked the book for its strong parts on detailing Korean society, the role of women and the deterioration of Yeong-Hye. I feel for her because nobody cared to fully understand what she was going through and what her dreams were, they just wanted to use her for their own advantage, except maybe In-hye. I really like the writing style too, it emerses you into what the characters are thinking and feeling.
Overall, what brings it down for me is the mention of animal abuse in a dream was completely unnecessary and it didn’t add to the plot, imo. That’s one of the only dreams that gets shown, and I just feel like it could’ve been done in a better way yk?
Additionally what let it down was the whole Yeong-Hye fetish/sister-in-law trope. I understand why it’s there, it’s In-Hye’s husband’s motivation, but at times it kinda felt too weird…? I think that’s just me though.
I also thought that at the end when In-Hye’s husband sneaks in after they’ve broken up and rapes her and then never comes back was really weird? It didn’t add anything and I was genuinely confused on why it was there.
Overall, I enjoyed it, and would recommend to read, but uf you’re sensitive to animal abuse, rape etc, I wouldn’t.
Overall, I really liked the book for its strong parts on detailing Korean society, the role of women and the deterioration of Yeong-Hye. I feel for her because nobody cared to fully understand what she was going through and what her dreams were, they just wanted to use her for their own advantage, except maybe In-hye. I really like the writing style too, it emerses you into what the characters are thinking and feeling.
Overall, what brings it down for me is the mention of animal abuse in a dream was completely unnecessary and it didn’t add to the plot, imo. That’s one of the only dreams that gets shown, and I just feel like it could’ve been done in a better way yk?
Additionally what let it down was the whole Yeong-Hye fetish/sister-in-law trope. I understand why it’s there, it’s In-Hye’s husband’s motivation, but at times it kinda felt too weird…? I think that’s just me though.
I also thought that at the end when In-Hye’s husband sneaks in after they’ve broken up and rapes her and then never comes back was really weird? It didn’t add anything and I was genuinely confused on why it was there.
Overall, I enjoyed it, and would recommend to read, but uf you’re sensitive to animal abuse, rape etc, I wouldn’t.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Vomit, Suicide attempt
Minor: Confinement, Gore, Blood
challenging
dark
reflective
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:
Yes
All I knew going into ‘The Vegetarian’ was that it’s about a woman in South Korea who goes against cultural norms when she decides to give up eating meat, then things get weird… and it’s really something you have to experience for yourself. I agree: no review or summary can prepare you for what you’re about to read, nor can it do the book justice, for while yes, the book *is* about a woman who gives up eating meat, really it’s about everything *but* that, being an equally gripping and wonderfully unsettling exploration of friction between the individual and the expectations placed on them by society.
Given the content of the book (insert all the warnings) and the strangeness of it, I can see why some readers find it too extreme for their tastes and decide not to finish it; however, personally I found I didn’t want to put the book down, and whenever I had to put it down I couldn’t stop thinking about it, and ever since finishing it I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it—all I want to do is to find other people who have read and been equally fascinated by it so that we can discuss its meaning, pick it apart and obsess over it together, because there are so many layers to appreciate in this masterpiece.
‘The Vegetarian’ truly is worthy of all its accolades.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
very graphic! made me way too uncomfortable and I’m usually fine, but the way it’s written (perhaps translated) makes me feel sick.. hope I can come back to it one day! just not the vibe rn
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Dark but intriguing
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual harassment
dark
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Rape, Sexual assault