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seawang 's review for:
The Vegetarian
by Han Kang
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
This was a challenging book. I wish I had a more in-depth understanding of Korean culture because, as is the case with many translations, I can't help but wonder what context I will have inherently missed by virtue of being a non-native.
The book is split into three sections that felt like 3 smaller novellas that happened to converge on the same subject (the tonal shift and shift in narrator perspective between the each section was so pronounced that I wonder if in fact this was originally written as three separate works?) Yeong-Hye is the titular vegetarian, but feels more like a secondary character as each section follows one of three of her close-relations; her husband, Mr. Cheong, her unnamed brother-in-law, and her sister, In-Hye.
The pacing in the first section is slow, but I think there is enough curiosity built around the main-character's conversion to vegetarianism and her subsequent mental health spiral that the pace doesn't end up feeling torturous. More than the other two sections, the first section felt like there was some social commentary that I was missing. I know there is a lot of tension around gender relations in S. Korea now, as there had been in 2016 when the book was published, and it seems unlikely that Mr. Cheong's selfishness, solipsism, and general disregard for his wife's well-being would be unrelated to that broader context.
Sections two and three felt more "universal." Without spoiling too much, after a major traumatic incident, Yeong-Hye's brother-in-law develops an obsessive sexual interest in her. His selfishness is more subtle, less intentional, and more interesting.
The third section, which follows Yeong-Hye's older sister, In-Hye, was both the saddest and most relatable. The only person to show genuine concern for Yeong-Hye's, In-Hye struggles with her own more understated mental health problems. The writing in this section was more fluid and more challenging, flowing freely and rapidly between past and present. The language in this section was more poetic, and despite being incredibly depressing, was my favorite section to read.
I don't think this book is right for everyone, but I would selfishly recommend it as I am curious to hear as many perspectives on this story as I can. I would suggest that sensitive readers check the content warnings as some of the subject material was difficult.
The book is split into three sections that felt like 3 smaller novellas that happened to converge on the same subject (the tonal shift and shift in narrator perspective between the each section was so pronounced that I wonder if in fact this was originally written as three separate works?) Yeong-Hye is the titular vegetarian, but feels more like a secondary character as each section follows one of three of her close-relations; her husband, Mr. Cheong, her unnamed brother-in-law, and her sister, In-Hye.
The pacing in the first section is slow, but I think there is enough curiosity built around the main-character's conversion to vegetarianism and her subsequent mental health spiral that the pace doesn't end up feeling torturous. More than the other two sections, the first section felt like there was some social commentary that I was missing. I know there is a lot of tension around gender relations in S. Korea now, as there had been in 2016 when the book was published, and it seems unlikely that Mr. Cheong's selfishness, solipsism, and general disregard for his wife's well-being would be unrelated to that broader context.
Sections two and three felt more "universal." Without spoiling too much, after a major traumatic incident, Yeong-Hye's brother-in-law develops an obsessive sexual interest in her. His selfishness is more subtle, less intentional, and more interesting.
The third section, which follows Yeong-Hye's older sister, In-Hye, was both the saddest and most relatable. The only person to show genuine concern for Yeong-Hye's, In-Hye struggles with her own more understated mental health problems. The writing in this section was more fluid and more challenging, flowing freely and rapidly between past and present. The language in this section was more poetic, and despite being incredibly depressing, was my favorite section to read.
I don't think this book is right for everyone, but I would selfishly recommend it as I am curious to hear as many perspectives on this story as I can. I would suggest that sensitive readers check the content warnings as some of the subject material was difficult.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Chronic illness, Blood
Moderate: Eating disorder, Sexual assault