A review by kayleepopovich
The Vegetarian by Han Kang

challenging dark emotional reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

A beautifully written read about the tragedy of being a woman. Being the object of men's desires, anger, derision, amazement, mystery, and all the classic but ever relevant aspects of being a woman Different from the Others are front and center in this story, but in a biting and mocking way at the expense of the men and society at large. The extreme degree to which Kang takes the notion that a woman is mentally ill for wanting bodily and psychological autonomy illustrates how simply perverse the things we as a society expect of women and the things we let men get away with. It was a compelling and emotionally difficult read, and all the more powerful. I actually think the pace could have slowed down a bit, and the book could have been 20 to 30 percent longer to really build the climax up. Would recommend to someone wanting a tense but rather quick read that packs a punch. Beautifully translated as well.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings