maddamreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Part 1 The Vegetarian
Definitely a strong but strange opener, the choice to have the story be told primarily through the husbands thoughts is provoking. It touches on themes of duty and expectation for women while also having the reader question “what defines madness.”
Spoiler
You start to empathize with Yeong-hye's desire. How much is it madness and how much is it reaction to her family and husband not respecting her wishes.Part 2 The Mongolian Mark
I hated this chapter so much I skimmed a bit. Talking about lust, need, and the romanticization of living and mental illness. I found the character to be deeply unsatisfactory and one-dimensional, even though it felt like the point was to make the audience empathize with him.
Spoiler
There could have been an exploration of the meaning of sex, the meaning of art, and the meaning of living fully. But all I got was a horny guy having sex with his sister in law “for the sake of art.”Part 3 Flaming Trees
A thorough, honest look at mental illness, how it affects one’s duties to others, and grief for someone still alive. It was very introspective, but it could have been way shorter with the flashbacks. The overall tone is melancholy and helpless-which is perfect. It did not make me turn pages the way the first chapter did.
Graphic: Blood, Eating disorder, Vomit, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Rape, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Blood, and Sexual violence
May be hard to read if previously suffered from depression and/or an eating disorder.aliyachaudhry's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Graphic: Blood, Medical content, Sexual content, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Domestic abuse, and Eating disorder
lakeofwords's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
Graphic: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Medical trauma, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Vomit
minayana's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a hella weird read, and was pushing my brain to it’s limit at times lol. I wish there was more I could say to describe it, but everything is so unique to this book that you just need to read it to get it. I will say, this book is not gonna be for everyone.
Han Kang added so many themes, but above all, this book is about familial and societal dysfunction, what happens to a person (especially women) after living not for yourself but just because there is no other option. When you no longer have any control over your life, whether due to a lifetime of societal expectations or pressures from family or spouses, what left is there to do?
Definitely a book that leaves a lasting impression, and one that I’ll be thinking about for awhile. I’m not 100% about my rating yet, and it might end up changing the longer I have to think about the book. Currently, 3.5 stars.
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Eating disorder, Rape, Sexual content, and Animal cruelty
shangchunsong's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Mental illness, Animal death, Body horror, Blood, Eating disorder, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt
jupiz's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual content
ashlynregan's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, Cursing, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, Child abuse, Classism, Suicide attempt, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
loustat__'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Eating disorder, Self harm, Body shaming, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Blood, Physical abuse, Rape, Medical content, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Abandonment
maddeesryan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Eating disorder, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit
pipchiappa's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Rape, Animal cruelty, Blood, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Animal death, Eating disorder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, and Sexism