Book Review of The Vegetarian

Book: The Vegetarian

Author: Han Kang, Translated from Korean by Deborah Smith

Publisher: Granta Publications

Pages: 183

Rating: 5/5

Ever since Han Kang became the first Korean woman to win a Nobel that too for Literature, I was curious about her work. As soon as I got a copy of ‘The Vegetarian’ I dived in. From the first sentence I was hooked. The skillful engagement by the author is so subtle, that I was empathising with the protagonist Yeong- Hye as the plot unfurled bit by bit. At first the story seems to be that of any modern day couple, who may be two different people with completely different personalities, yet slowly there creeps in distance between the two.

Yet, the story is different, disturbing and deliberately fantastic. The narrative has been presented in 3 parts from the perspectives of 3 different members of Yeong- Hye’s family but none from hers. The transformation of the protagonist, from being unremarkable to adopting vegetarianism in totality, where she no longer wishes to exist as a flesh eater (which is a common practice in Korea) but become plant like is unique.

The distinct voices of the narration, reflects the strongly patriarchal families where a woman dare not be different, or unfathomable. The courage associated with the quiet protagonist is such that it is portrayed as extraordinary, in the realm of strange, rather bizarre behaviour. The boundary between sane and insane, creative and neurotic is so fine, that it is easy to transgress, gently emerges.

Definitely a book to be read with deliberation.