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crybabybea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
This is clearly a novel that was written with the intention to make readers think and reflect, I think it is a testament to Han Kang's skill as a writer that everyone comes away from this experience with different thoughts and analyses.
The writing is super allegorical and it's clear that each event happens for a reason and is designed to make the reader reflect and analyze. I found the writing style to be the main issue that kept me from giving it 5 stars; it jumped around in POV and tense, which, although it was written very well, became hard to follow at times.
I definitely feel like there were bits that went over my head and this is a book that deserves a reread with more concentration and reflection.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Eating disorder, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Incest
Very graphic depictions of animal torture and death. Not quite incest but theangorarabbit's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Incest and Alcohol
I skipped 5 paragraphs 25% of the way in due to graphic animal abuse/killing. The protagonists thoughts include disturbing depictions of slaughter and molestation of animals. There are graphic depictions of food including meat.gossameralbum's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
definitely check content warnings and do not take them lightly, as most of them are very graphic and haunting.
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism
hey_itsemmahere's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Death, Eating disorder, Incest, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, and Blood
ohlhauc's review
- 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
The main character is a woman, Yeong-hye, as she decides to stop eating meat after having a dream and then other choices that she makes to get closer to what she believes is her essential self. However, the story isn't told from her view but rather is broken up into three sections, each one told from the perspective of another character, and how they react to Yeong-hye: her husband, her brother-in-law, and her older sister.
This book is at times heartbreaking and other times, flat out disturbing, but it will make you think about how you treat others that you're different from, that you have power over, and that you're envious of. Not to mention thinking about the roles society expects one to play, and the conflict that happens when a person decides to live outside those unspoken rules.
I really enjoyed this and plan to continue reading Han Kang's works. Her writing is just spectacular.
Graphic: Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Blood, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Eating disorder and Medical content
Minor: Animal cruelty