A review by thealbapoems
The Vegetarian by Han Kang

dark mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A bizarre, haunting, at times beautiful read. Oddly enough it reminds me of My Year of Rest and Relaxation in the way that I can see how this book influenced it. The protagonist only communicates with the readers through brief journal like entries that stop as she stops communicating with those around her. This novel will stay with me for a while, amongst many things because of the scene where Yeonghe describes how her dad made her eat the dog that bit her, in a short but profoundly disturbing piece of foreshadowing. Kang explores bodily autonomy, familial relations, and the expectation of women as daughters, wives, and mothers. I hope that at the end

Yeonghe never makes it to the hospital, and is finally able to do what she wants, and becomes a tree in that ambulance, with her sister next to her.