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The Vegetarian

A Novel
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( 205,370 ratings, 28,558 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Vegetarian by Han Kang is a powerful story about a woman in South Korea who decides to stop eating meat after a series of disturbing dreams. Her seemingly simple choice disrupts her life and her relationships, revealing the complexities of personal choice and social expectations. The novel delves into themes of identity, rebellion, and societal pressure.
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Format: Paperback / softback

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy exploring deeply psychological narratives and enjoy stories that delve into themes of rebellion, societal norms, and personal transformation. It offers a compelling and disturbing look at the consequences of a seemingly simple decision on a woman's life and relationships.

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The Vegetarian

A beautiful, unsettling novel in three acts, about rebellion and taboo, violence and eroticism, and the twisting metamorphosis of a soul. Winner of the 2016 Man Booker International Prize.

Winner of the Man Booker International Prize 2016. A beautiful, unsettling novel in three acts, about rebellion and taboo, violence and eroticism, and the twisting metamorphosis of a soul

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The Vegetarian by Han Kang is an intoxicating and visceral novel that delves into the psyche of a woman seeking transformation and liberation from societal norms. The story centres around Yeong-hye, an unremarkable yet dutiful wife living in Seoul, South Korea. Her life is thrown into turmoil when she decides to stop eating meat, a decision that baffles and enrages those around her. Sparked by a series of grotesque and haunting dreams, Yeong-hye's choice to lead a more "plant-like" existence is seen as an incomprehensible act of defiance in a society where vegetarianism is rare and unconventional choices are frowned upon.

Her husband's initial confusion turns to anger and depravity, leading him to commit acts of sexual violence in a bid to reassert control. Separate and isolated within her own family, Yeong-hye's mental state deteriorates, culminating in a dramatic spiral into self-harm and hospitalisation. What begins as a simple dietary change soon morphs into a profound existential quest, unsettling not only her family but also the reader.

As Yeong-hye's condition worsens, she unwittingly becomes the muse for her brother-in-law, a video artist enthralled by her passive rebellion. His infatuation with her metamorphosis leads to disturbing and obsessive artistic creations, pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable and further highlighting the tension between personal desire and societal expectations.

Through exquisite and haunting prose, Han Kang explores the themes of autonomy, body politics, and the limits of understanding one another. Her portrayal of Yeong-hye's descent is both harrowing and poetic, capturing the reader's imagination while challenging deeply ingrained social mores.

The Vegetarian is a richly layered narrative that peels back the veneer of everyday life to expose raw and unfiltered human emotions. By blending elements of psychological horror with profound existential questions, it offers a powerful commentary on the constraints of the flesh and the desperate yearning for emancipation. Fraught, disturbing, and achingly beautiful, this novel is a poignant exploration of shame, desire, and the estrangements that define the human condition.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Vegetarian by Han Kang has garnered praise for its precise and haunting prose. Reviewers find it a dark, menacing exploration of psychological pain, with vivid and potent imagery. It is noted for its unsettling, surreal narrative, delving into themes of suffering, desire, and societal constraints. The translation by Deborah Smith has been commended for its elegance and sensitivity.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781846276033

Publisher: Granta Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 05 November 2015

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Granta Books

Contributors:

  • Translated by Deborah Smith

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 11.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 140g

Pages: 192

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About the Author

Han Kang was born in Gwangju, South Korea, and moved to Seoul at the age of ten. She studied Korean literature at Yonsei University. Her writing has won the Yi Sang Literary Prize, the Today's Young Artist Award, and the Korean Literature Novel Award. She currently teaches creative writing at the Seoul Institute of the Arts.

Deborah Smith is working on a PhD in Korean literature at SOAS, University of London. She translated The Essayist's Desk by Bae Suah, as well as short stories by Kim Kyung-uk and Kim Ae-ran.

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