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A review by pixiecircle
The Vegetarian by Han Kang
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
2.75
i always feel a little apprehensive about reviewing translated works— especially when this one in particular has been contested. however, i must say i am not the biggest fan of this book. it certainly was not about actual vegetarianism/veganism, but rather the physical body, desirability, and… vaguely feminism, one could argue. felt to be more of a proto-feminist text.
i’m extremely tired of novels like this feeling the need to depict not one, but two (!) rape scenes. really really just over it, and i’m only 24. shock value can be valid in some cases, but come on. let’s use our imagination and writing skills to come up with something that’s not a rape scene or two, to describe the subjugation of women.
edit: spoke with a friend who had also read this book, and his take on it was that it had much to do with the way south korea treats its disabled or mentally ill people— i agree, and i'm a bit confused with myself why i also didn't pick up on that. oh well, perhaps i was looking at it with too narrow of a mind.
i’m extremely tired of novels like this feeling the need to depict not one, but two (!) rape scenes. really really just over it, and i’m only 24. shock value can be valid in some cases, but come on. let’s use our imagination and writing skills to come up with something that’s not a rape scene or two, to describe the subjugation of women.
edit: spoke with a friend who had also read this book, and his take on it was that it had much to do with the way south korea treats its disabled or mentally ill people— i agree, and i'm a bit confused with myself why i also didn't pick up on that. oh well, perhaps i was looking at it with too narrow of a mind.