A review by asynhte
The Vegetarian by Han Kang

dark 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

3.5

Honestly wasn't really getting this book until I read the 3rd part (and read reddit to 100% understand what was going on lol). I always forget that horror is usually allegorical...
with Yeong-hye's desperate need to become a tree relating to her need to escape the violence and submission she's experienced from the different men in her life.
Without thinking about it in this context, the first 2 parts had me like
"I'm just reading about how South Korean men are shitty to their wives and other women and if I wanted to do that I would just look online".
The 3rd part when
her sister starts to slowly connect the dots was when I started to connect part of the puzzle in my head.
The blurb made me think that it was going to be
the husband, brother-in-law, and sister all fighting for control at the same time, but it was more like one person tries to impose their will onto Yeong-hye and then they leave (asides the sister).
I know some people didn't like how
we didn't get Yeong-hye's POV but I think it makes sense for the story and its message of her trying to regain control from the people in her life (and we get some of her POV in the first part with the description of her dreams).
Very interesting as a think piece, but definitely not for those that are sensitive to graphic content.
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