A review by leonormsousa
A Vegetariana by Han Kang

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

4.5

REPRESENTATION 
Korean cast, mental health 

QUOTE 
“The feeling that she had never really lived in this world caught her by surprise. It was a fact. She had never lived. Even as a child, as far back as she could remember, she had done nothing but endure. She had believed in her own inherent goodness, her humanity, and lived accordingly, never causing anyone harm. Her devotion to doing things the right way had been unflagging, all her successes had depended on it, and she would have gone on like that indefinitely. She didn't understand why, but faced with those decaying buildings and straggling grasses, she was nothing but a child who had never lived.” 

WHAT I ENJOYED 
  • the violence and weirdness → it took me a little aback at first, but I’m here for it!
  • the underlying message (and no, this is not a book about vegetarianism)
  • the different POVs allow us to see the story from different perspectives but also contribute to the idea that the MC does not have a voice
  • it’s a beautifully written book, even when it’s ugly
  • the way it stuck on the back of my head and does not let me go
  • I know it’s a book that I’m gonna enjoy even more the second time around

WHAT I DIDN'T ENJOY
  • very, very minor but there were points, especially in the dreams sections, where it became a bit confusing for me

READ IF YOU ENJOY
  • character-focused books
  • a dark, bizarre and disturbing vibe
  • unhinged women
  • hidden meanings
  • different views on life
  • non-lovable and flawed characters
  • underlying critics of sexist societies
Expand filter menu Content Warnings