A review by 46jjsg
The Vegetarian by Han Kang

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

The Vegetarian- 3.5/5 

I don't even know what to say about this one. the wife definitely has a mental illness, but with her husband and her family I'm not surprised she ended up this way? You kinda of have to infere what caused her to spiral, but if you have any idea what's it's like to be a woman in Korea I'm afraid it's not that difficult to imagine. I was absolutely shocked and disgusted when her husband (the narrator) described her as a comfort woman and him, and Japanese soldier.

Mongolian Mark 2/5 

oh this one was sicker than the previous one

Flaming Trees 4/5 

As an eldest daughter, I thought Inhye's perspective was enlightening. I don't know really what to feel except my chest feels stuffy? This entire work was unsettling, but the 3rd short resonated with me the most and I thought it was a fitting conclusion to wrap the entire message of the collection. 

When a person undergoes such a drastic transformation, there's simply nothing anyone else can do but sit back and let them get on with it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Cannibalism