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kelsokake 's review for:
The Vegetarian
by Han Kang
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i don’t know how to put my thoughts about this book into words. saying i enjoyed this feels wrong because of its heavy subject matter, but i’m glad i read it. make sure to check the trigger warnings before you read it. it’s about more than just Yeong-hye deciding not to eat meat and her descent into madness.
this is a story about trauma, misogyny and taking ownership over your body in literally any way that you can. the fact that we never truly get Yeong-hye‘s perspective reinforces that. The first two parts coming from the point of view of men in her life who violated her and saw her as nothing more than a set piece in their own lives adds to the understanding that Yeong-hye’s never really had the opportunity to make her own decisions too.
As depressing as this was, I can’t help but to feel like ending the story in In-hye’s perspective left me with the tiniest feeling of hope? Of course as a woman and as an older sister, In-hye is the only one to even vaguely understand where Yeong-hye’s coming from. In-hye and the other woman at the hospital who took care of Yeong-hye were the only ones who still treated Yeong-hye like a human being.
I have more thoughts, but I’m just rambling now, so I guess I’ll end this review here.
this is a story about trauma, misogyny and taking ownership over your body in literally any way that you can. the fact that we never truly get Yeong-hye‘s perspective reinforces that. The first two parts coming from the point of view of men in her life who violated her and saw her as nothing more than a set piece in their own lives adds to the understanding that Yeong-hye’s never really had the opportunity to make her own decisions too.
As depressing as this was, I can’t help but to feel like ending the story in In-hye’s perspective left me with the tiniest feeling of hope? Of course as a woman and as an older sister, In-hye is the only one to even vaguely understand where Yeong-hye’s coming from. In-hye and the other woman at the hospital who took care of Yeong-hye were the only ones who still treated Yeong-hye like a human being.
I have more thoughts, but I’m just rambling now, so I guess I’ll end this review here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse