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saivan 's review for:
The Vegetarian
by Han Kang
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Strange and brutal. I expected a more rebellious, fiery tone, but I think that's just a Western misunderstanding of feminism; sometimes feminism is quiet, just saying no to everything: food, sex, decorum.
The perspectives of the men are hard to get through, but do paint a thorough picture of the expectations placed on Korean woman (particularly that their bodies are there to give them pleasure). They introduce this woman as a crazy person, setting us up for the final third told from the sister's perspective, who sees her as totally sane, just refusing to conform to humanity any longer.
The rejection of meat as a means of transformation was a little odd. I think I understood the intention, and being vegan can be a very political act, but I don't necessarily see the connection between that initial choice and the later choice to stop eating entirely, securing her bodily autonomy while simultaneously withering away. I certainly am thinking about it a lot, though. Very engaging and I'd like to sit with it awhile longer.
The perspectives of the men are hard to get through, but do paint a thorough picture of the expectations placed on Korean woman (particularly that their bodies are there to give them pleasure). They introduce this woman as a crazy person, setting us up for the final third told from the sister's perspective, who sees her as totally sane, just refusing to conform to humanity any longer.
The rejection of meat as a means of transformation was a little odd. I think I understood the intention, and being vegan can be a very political act, but I don't necessarily see the connection between that initial choice and the later choice to stop eating entirely, securing her bodily autonomy while simultaneously withering away. I certainly am thinking about it a lot, though. Very engaging and I'd like to sit with it awhile longer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Forced institutionalization