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What Members Thought
Hmmm. odd, dark, weird, perplexing book.
The Vegetarian tells the story of Yeong-hye, a young lady from Seoul, Korea, who after having a bizarre nightmare, decides to become a vegetarian. Not only a vegetarian, she seeks to live a more plant-like existence, doing things like sunning herself naked. Her decision confuses and even angers her husband and parents. There's some force feeding, psych evals, etc. As her family estranges her, Yeong-hye sinks deeper into her plant-based fantasy.
This book ...more
The Vegetarian tells the story of Yeong-hye, a young lady from Seoul, Korea, who after having a bizarre nightmare, decides to become a vegetarian. Not only a vegetarian, she seeks to live a more plant-like existence, doing things like sunning herself naked. Her decision confuses and even angers her husband and parents. There's some force feeding, psych evals, etc. As her family estranges her, Yeong-hye sinks deeper into her plant-based fantasy.
This book ...more
Well...THAT got bleak in a hurry!
The first act intrigued me, the second act had me rapt, the final act just absolutely destroyed me. I'll remain a happy carnivore, thank-you very much.
I *do* feel like taking some photos now though.... ...more
The first act intrigued me, the second act had me rapt, the final act just absolutely destroyed me. I'll remain a happy carnivore, thank-you very much.
I *do* feel like taking some photos now though.... ...more
This is what you would get if you crossed a Murakami novel with "The Bell Jar."
...more
I knew this book would be weird, but I was not prepared for how upsetting it would be. ALL the Content Warnings: domestic violence, child abuse, rape, eating disorder, mental illness, suicidal ideation, infidelity, and horrific cruelty to a dog. (The bit with the dog made me wish I had not read this book - why do not other reviews warn about this??) Yeong-hye's eating disorder is described in detail.
She was no longer able to cope with all that her sister reminded her of. She’d been unable...more
I could not get into this book. Fortunately it’s a quick read, though chapters are long. I assumed the story would be told from the woman that goes vegetarian, but it’s not. It could be an interesting take, perspectives from her family members, but I was disappointed. I do wonder how much of not liking it is due to translation. 😕
Jun 01, 2016
Jennifer
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
tob2017longlist,
tob2017
Both a three star and a five star for me. Too much to think about to review immediately. A sparse, painful read that is absolutely etched in my mind right now. But I also rather hated it. Right book at the wrong time?
Poetic language, treating big themes of bodily autonomy/mental illness/trauma with obliqueness and visions, disturbing yet emotionally rich
Jun 24, 2016
Sarah
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
christmas-2019-wish-list
Feb 20, 2017
Rhiannon
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
literary,
translated
Dec 20, 2018
Heather
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2019-read-harder-challenge
