Scan barcode
A review by bella613
The Vegetarian by Han Kang
challenging
dark
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
This was... difficult to read.
I knew this going in but I don't think I was prepared for it to be quite so much. It was shocking and at the same time not unusual (devastatingingly, nothing that happened felt unreal)
I like the unnerving feeling of the horror genre, but this is a bit different and I would definitely not recommend if you feel triggered when reading about certain topics. It was not an enjoyable read but I'd still say it was a good experience and a work of art. I felt strong second hand violation and disgust.
I have been vegan and vegetarian and more recently pescatarian and also have a weird relationship with food and putting things in my body. I wonder how differently I took this book than the average person (although can I really say my experience with food is not average?)
This book is not really about food or vegetarianism at all. It is incredibly personal and uncomfortable and thought provoking. There is hardly a moment of kindness or compassion ever shown to the main character, even in the way that the book is told from multiple perspectives and still not her own. No one listens to her about her dream and no one seems to truly see her, only what they want her to be in relation to themselves.
This is one that's gonna be uncomfortably in my brain for a long time.
I knew this going in but I don't think I was prepared for it to be quite so much. It was shocking and at the same time not unusual (devastatingingly, nothing that happened felt unreal)
I like the unnerving feeling of the horror genre, but this is a bit different and I would definitely not recommend if you feel triggered when reading about certain topics. It was not an enjoyable read but I'd still say it was a good experience and a work of art. I felt strong second hand violation and disgust.
I have been vegan and vegetarian and more recently pescatarian and also have a weird relationship with food and putting things in my body. I wonder how differently I took this book than the average person (although can I really say my experience with food is not average?)
This book is not really about food or vegetarianism at all. It is incredibly personal and uncomfortable and thought provoking. There is hardly a moment of kindness or compassion ever shown to the main character, even in the way that the book is told from multiple perspectives and still not her own. No one listens to her about her dream and no one seems to truly see her, only what they want her to be in relation to themselves.
This is one that's gonna be uncomfortably in my brain for a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Blood