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A review by sirisolh
The Vegetarian by Han Kang
5.0
I have to agree with author Lauren Groff's perfect four word summary; "both terrifying and terrific".
This is 183 pages of excellence! I enjoyed Han Kang's style already from the first sentence; her language so simple, yet so rich. As I flipped the pages in a previously unknown speed, I was fascinated by how Kang keeps the descriptions to a bare minimum, but still manage to create so vivid images. The surroundings, scenery, people and personalities jump out of the book and carries the story word by word, page by page.
Throughout the book, I grew to both love and hate the various characters; I especially loved Yeong-hye and her utter weirdness, how she sees the world and goes on with her beliefs regardless of how she's met. Be it madness or misunderstanding, it doesn't matter, it's captivating in such a way I found myself cheering her on, hoping she would end up in a green oasis, truly happy and in blissful solitude.
The final chapter, revealing the relationship between the sisters and her sister, In-hye's, life, gave the story additional depth - a depth I initially didn't feel the story needed, but that grew on me as I turned the pages. It was heartwarming. I couldn't put the book down and I still wish there were more pages to read.
About the story: It's a short, but captive tale of Yeong-hye and her decision to become vegetarian and the complex direct and indirect consequences, written from the perspective of her husband, her sister's husband and her sister. Throughout the book there's sadness, desperation, obsession, anger, sorrow, abuse, happiness and love. And it's beautiful and destructive, gruesome and exquisite.
This is 183 pages of excellence! I enjoyed Han Kang's style already from the first sentence; her language so simple, yet so rich. As I flipped the pages in a previously unknown speed, I was fascinated by how Kang keeps the descriptions to a bare minimum, but still manage to create so vivid images. The surroundings, scenery, people and personalities jump out of the book and carries the story word by word, page by page.
Throughout the book, I grew to both love and hate the various characters; I especially loved Yeong-hye and her utter weirdness, how she sees the world and goes on with her beliefs regardless of how she's met. Be it madness or misunderstanding, it doesn't matter, it's captivating in such a way I found myself cheering her on, hoping she would end up in a green oasis, truly happy and in blissful solitude.
The final chapter, revealing the relationship between the sisters and her sister, In-hye's, life, gave the story additional depth - a depth I initially didn't feel the story needed, but that grew on me as I turned the pages. It was heartwarming. I couldn't put the book down and I still wish there were more pages to read.
About the story: It's a short, but captive tale of Yeong-hye and her decision to become vegetarian and the complex direct and indirect consequences, written from the perspective of her husband, her sister's husband and her sister. Throughout the book there's sadness, desperation, obsession, anger, sorrow, abuse, happiness and love. And it's beautiful and destructive, gruesome and exquisite.