wellreadsquid's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was an intense and difficult read, one I'm happy to have completed. Watching the way everyone experienced Yeong-hye suffering while Yeong-hye never once got a say in her suffering was so disheartening. I'm going to be writing a much longer review on my blog if you want my full thoughts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Physical abuse, Vomit, and Mental illness
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Blood, Body shaming, and Ableism
There is Marital Rape in this book so read with caution.periodicreader's review against another edition
4.0
This book is beautiful. It's translated into English from Korean so the language is flowery and extremely descriptive. It really reads like poetry in some parts. Yeong-hye is in a loveless marriage until she starts having nightmares and gives up eating meat. At a family celebration, her decision to become a vegetarian becomes a threat to her family and everything unravels. There are three parts to this book, the first is told from Yeong-hye's perspective, the second is told by her brother-in-law and the third is told by her sister. It's a really good, quick read for a weekend if you want to take a peek into a life that is haunted by itself.
jeyjey's review
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
"We did it, Joe." God, I don’t know why it took me so long to read this book. I don’t think I really understood all the metaphors, symbolism, etc but I enjoyed it. It was interesting. [I think it’s important to say that I’m writing this review while listening to Now or Never from High School Musical]
mayabooks2's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.0
sretepalyakim's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
gloque's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
felicity26's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
bibliophile_gurl's review against another edition
2.0
This book was written very simply and well. Honestly thats what kept me reading throughout the entire novel. The first section was the most intriguing and i found myself going though it very quickly. However, once the novel centred on a character who was not the Yeong-hye, my interest waned. The style of writing is beautiful but I found the story itself to be too short and muddled. overall it was a quick read (I read it in three sessions) and an interesting concept. I would be inclined to try some of her other works.
spiderfelt's review against another edition
2.0
While I am relieved to have finally finished this book, ultimately I feel bewildered. I am sincerely interested in some dialogue with readers who loved the book. I found the imagery in the second section disturbing, and Yeong-hye's husband and BIL repugnant. In-hye was the character I found most sympathetic. Now that I've finished with the book, I alternate between wanting to scrub my brain and trying to find meaning. Of all the excellent books written last year, why did this particular book rise to the top of the heap for the Man Booker Prize judges. I finished it as an exercise in curiosity and because it was a #ToB17 competitor.
velvetsun's review against another edition
1.0
It takes a lot to disturb me.
This book disturbed me.
There are scenes in this book that are so brutal and disgusting that I literally had to stop reading for a while.
Not sure how the hell it won so many awards, as it seems to glorify rape, domestic violence and animal cruelty among other things.
I guess I have found my hard limit in horror fiction.
This book disturbed me.
There are scenes in this book that are so brutal and disgusting that I literally had to stop reading for a while.
Not sure how the hell it won so many awards, as it seems to glorify rape, domestic violence and animal cruelty among other things.
I guess I have found my hard limit in horror fiction.