Reviews with content warning for Rape - The Vegetarian

I don't want to rate this book. I am just glad it's fucking over.

UPDATE:
I have now had a bit to think about why this book affected me the way it did and I can explain why I didn't like it. First, I want to say that this book is well written. It's translated so I can understand that there are bound to be some differences and some choices made that alter how I received this story vs how it's written in the author's native language. But even with this barrier I understand I'm consuming something that was made be a skilled person.

That being said the reasons for me not liking this book are largely plot related. I did not like that we were witnessing this woman's abuse from all angles from her father, her husband, and her brother in law. This woman has been violated in every way her whole life and the first 2 parts of the book go into this in unforgiving detail. We also almost never see what is happening from Yeong-hye's perspective making her feel like less of a character and more of a plot device. The way this book is marketed and described by other reviewers places Yeong-hye's decision to stop eating meat as the inciting incident for all that happens, which is giving her a misleading amount of autonomy. The lack of perspective from Yeong-hye must be a deliberate choice but as another reviewer pointed out, since when is eliminating the perspective of the mentally ill a ground breaking decision?

The book does bring in her sister, In-hye, as a refreshing perspective towards the end. In-hye does understand what is happening with her sister and sees the abuse inflicted on her for what it is but it's almost too little too late after reading about Yeong-hye's multiple assaults for the first 2/3 of the book. I felt for both of these women who had been let down by so many people but then the book ends before anything is finished leaving you with a dry, terrible taste in your mouth.

I'm not sure this obsession with giving the most miserable books awards but this book was a great reminder why I don't often leave my sci fi/fantasy hole. At least when bad things happen there you get to read about a dragon or an alien doing something cool.

Content Warnings

tilder's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

A feminist piece about two sisters and the darkness they share. A testament to patriarchal structures within families and the health system, Kang supplies ample commentary on the nuance of mental health treatment. I reccomend this book to someone who needs a jolt back to the present, beautiful prose and sharp horror this book checks all the boxes of modern magical realism.

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libellumartinae's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark inspiring reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Allora questo libro è la definizione di 'fever dream', perché ammetto che non ci ho capito tantissimo, ma ho trovato molto interessanti le diverse analisi riguardanti i temi discussi. E' un libro decisamente forte e intenso, ma lo stile è molto ben fatto e interessante. Voglio leggere di più di questa scrittrice, di sicuro.

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jamieholton's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

One of the strangest books I've read in a while with a mysterious and distant protagonist. The writing style is intriguing and gripping. The turn of events bizarre. While the main character detaches herself from society, it seems she holds up a mirror to show that her society may be a bit detached and bizarre itself. Fascinatingly weird.

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clavishorti's review

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Kim Yeong-hye, an ordinary woman trapped in the monotony of her everyday life, is suddenly ensnared by haunting nightmares. These spectral visions, awash with blood and chaos, disrupt her reality in ways she never imagined. In a desperate attempt to escape the terror of her own mind, she makes an unconventional choice—vowing to forsake all meat. But this seemingly minor decision is only the beginning of a much deeper and more unsettling transformation. As Yeong-hye is drawn further into a silent rebellion that morphs into something far more sinister, she plunges into an abyss that defies human comprehension.

Where will this eerie journey lead her?

The term ‘vegetarian’ might be familiar, but its meaning has evolved beyond a simple dietary choice. What was once seen as a mere preference has now become a lifestyle—an expression of deep moral, ethical, and health convictions. Essentially, vegetarianism focuses on a plant-based diet, excluding all forms of meat and sometimes even products derived from animal slaughter. Those who follow this practice are known as vegetarians.

In The Vegetarian by Han Kang, we meet a protagonist whose experience is anything but ordinary. She wakes up sweating, haunted by nightmarish shadows that radically alter her view of the world. This dream makes her see life and death through a new lens, leading her to believe that quitting meat is not just a choice but an undeniable necessity. Yet, her decision to become a vegetarian spirals into something far more extreme, more terrifying, and potentially more dangerous as the lines of normality start to fade.

The phenomenon is intriguing, as vegetarianism and even veganism are now seen as conventional and widely accepted. But what if such a dietary shift happens under extreme circumstances? What if this decision triggers a series of horrifying events that shatter the protagonist’s soul and disrupt the lives of those around her? Here’s where the book’s uniqueness and appeal come into play: it explores the depths of the human psyche through Kim Yeong-hye’s story—a woman whose simple choice to stop eating meat unravels into a complex web of conflict, both within herself and her surroundings.

The book is structured in a compelling way, divided into three chapters, each offering a different perspective. However, what makes it stand out is that none of these viewpoints belong to Kim Yeong-hye herself. The story is told through the eyes of those around her: her husband, Mr. Cheong; her brother-in-law, the spouse of her sister; and her sister, Kim In-Hye. This approach lets us see how Kim Yeong-hye’s choice to become a vegetarian is perceived by her close circle, how it impacts their lives, and ultimately, how it forces them to confront their own often dark realities. These three chapters guide us through an emotional journey filled with conflict, revealing the deepest layers of each character and making us question what really lies beneath the surface.

In the first chapter, “The Vegetarian”, we delve into the radical choice of Kim Yeong-hye. From Mr. Cheong’s perspective, her decision to stop eating meat is seen as an unforgivable rebellion. Mr. Cheong, with his conservative views, believes a wife should adhere to societal norms and be submissive. His cynical and scornful attitude towards his wife reflects a deep-seated patriarchal mindset; he views Kim Yeong-hye’s choice as both shameful and a threat to their marital harmony. This chapter reveals Kim Yeong-hye’s life as an emotionally isolated wife, trapped in a loveless marriage, shrouded in unspoken darkness.

But the tension doesn’t stop there. We learn that Kim Yeong-hye has lived under the shadow of violence since childhood. Her father, an authoritarian figure, was harsh, often using physical violence as punishment and control. From a young age, she was accustomed to a life of repression and fear, where her voice went unheard and her will unappreciated. This childhood trauma seems to be the root of her inner conflict, pushing her towards a personal rebellion through a choice that might seem trivial but is deeply significant. Her decision to become a vegetarian is not just about rejecting meat; it’s an attempt to break free from the chains of control that have bound her life since childhood—chains once held by her father and now by her husband.

Through this carefully crafted chapter, the author critiques the patriarchal system and a society burdened with rigid social standards. Kim Yeong-hye’s choice to become a vegetarian symbolizes resistance against these norms. The story highlights how women are often trapped in cycles of recurring violence—both physical and psychological—due to oppressive social and cultural demands. “The Vegetarian” invites deep reflection on freedom and self-identity. Kim Yeong-hye’s decision is a symbol of a profound search for self, an effort to escape external control and discover true meaning in life. Yet, it also underscores the difficulty of being oneself in a world that doesn’t always welcome differences and bravery.

In the second chapter, “Mongolian Mark”, we’re drawn into a provocative and unsettling story through the eyes of an anxious narrator—Kim Yeong-hye’s brother-in-law, a man increasingly consumed by his dark obsession. This man, who is married to Kim Yeong-hye’s sister, Kim In-hye, discovers what he believes is a hidden gateway to his repressed fantasies when he sees a Mongolian mark on his sister-in-law’s body. The Mongolian mark, a faint blue birthmark common among Asian babies, should be normal, but to him, it becomes an exotic, mystical, and erotic symbol—an obsession that gradually erodes his morality. He views this mark not merely as a physical oddity but as a symbol of primitive and wild allure, igniting his artistic instincts and awakening desires far beyond the bounds of propriety.

As the story unfolds, the seemingly calm brother-in-law reveals his darker side, full of manipulation. Behind the façade of a visual artist, he is, in truth, a predator closely observing his prey. He becomes obsessed with creating an art project that uses Yeong-hye’s body as a canvas, painting symbolic flowers on her skin, as if her body were merely a lifeless object he could shape to his whims. Yet, beneath this artistic pretense lies a cover for his insatiable sexual desire for Yeong-hye. This obsession goes beyond admiration and transforms into a pressing urge to conquer, dominate, and possess.

In his mind, art and sexual desire blur into a mix of passion and power. He doesn’t see Yeong-hye’s body as something valuable or sacred but as raw material to exploit for his own depraved fantasies. He views Yeong-hye not as a human with feelings, boundaries, or traumas but as an object to be polished, manipulated, and molded into whatever he desires. His desire turns him into a cunning and manipulative figure; he uses his influence and position to coerce Yeong-hye into his planned art project, disregarding her will or consent. Here, the lines between love and violence, art and torture, become disturbingly thin and blurred.

The author effectively portrays the brother-in-law as a representation of patriarchal power, using women’s bodies as tools for personal gratification. In his actions, he disregards all moral and ethical norms, using art as an excuse to justify his horrific deeds. He manipulates situations to serve his own selfish needs, ignoring the damage he inflicts on Yeong-hye’s life and psychological well-being. In doing so, he reveals the vulnerability of women under the shadow of male control and domination, even within a supposedly safe environment like family.

This chapter forces readers to confront the harsh reality of how art, when twisted by depraved individuals, can become an instrument of violence. The brother-in-law not only crosses ethical boundaries in art but also moral boundaries as a human being. He demonstrates that when desire and power run unchecked, even the most beautiful things, like art, can become tools of destruction. Here, the author challenges readers to reflect on how uncontrolled desires can manifest in the most dangerous forms and how the boundaries between art, power, and devastation are often much thinner than we imagine.

In the third chapter, “Flaming Trees”, we dive into Kim In-hye’s world, Kim Yeong-hye’s sister, who is now ensnared in her own labyrinth of confusion. This chapter delves deeply into how Yeong-hye’s radical decision impacts her family, especially Kim In-hye. Yeong-hye’s extreme step to become a tree doesn’t just create turmoil in her own life but also sets off a destructive domino effect around her. This choice is a radical statement against a monotonous and restrictive life, an attempt to escape a mundane routine and seek peace in a purer form of existence.

Kim In-hye, who once appeared strong and stable, now faces profound emotional turmoil. Watching her sister embrace life as a tree, In-hye must confront the bitter reality of a life that has failed to fulfill her hopes and desires. Her empty marriage, monotonous daily routine, and the weight of single motherhood exacerbate her feelings of loneliness and confusion. Her husband, after being involved in a scandal with Yeong-hye, has left, leaving In-hye in solitude, forcing her to confront her circumstances head-on.

Here, the author presents a stark contrast between the life principles of Kim Yeong-hye and Kim In-hye. While Yeong-hye rejects social norms and seeks a more authentic and natural way of living, Kim In-hye is trapped in a conventional world that increasingly confines her. This difference creates a deep rift, intensifying the tension in their relationship. Yeong-hye’s decision to defy conformity not only shakes up her personal life but also forces those around her to reassess their own life meanings. Amidst the chaos, In-hye must reflect on her own existential meaning and how these differing values have impacted every aspect of her life.

This chapter is not just about the impact of extreme decisions on a family but also about how trauma and suffering can ripple out and create crises that force individuals to face often painful realities. By exploring the feelings and conflicts that arise, the author invites readers to contemplate their own lives and the challenges faced in their journey to find meaning and peace amidst the chaos.

The Vegetarian by Han Kang, masterfully translated into English by Deborah Smith, beckoning anyone eager to immerse themselves in a narrative that is both profoundly unique and deeply resonant. Far beyond a mere story, this novel dives into essential themes—life, personal choices, and, above all, the female experience in society. With its mesmerizing prose and a plot brimming with unexpected turns, The Vegetarian demands introspection and challenges readers to unravel the intricate layers of human existence. Every page offers an emotional odyssey, awakening the soul and igniting reflection.

Content Warnings

itsredandread's review against another edition

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dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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shannonweiss's review against another edition

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dark tense fast-paced

3.75

This book was confusing and bizarre but also engaging and powerful. I wish that we would have gotten more from Yeong-hye’s POV and nothing from the brother in law’s POV (everything about him and his part of the story felt gross and wrong). I don’t really know what to think after finishing this.

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Reviews tagging 'Rape'

The Vegetarian by Han Kang

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