Book Review: The Vegetarian by Han Kang
One day, I randomly stumbled upon an Instagram reel about a book called The Vegetarian . Contrary to what the title might suggest, it isn’t about promoting vegetarianism but rather delves deeply into the societal pressures and expectations women face. This intriguing premise drew me in, compelling me to pick up the book. I’m not an avid reader, and I usually struggle to finish books, but every now and then, I manage to complete a few. This time, I was determined to explore what The Vegetarian had to offer—and it turned out to be an experience that left a lasting impact. The story begins with the perspective of Young-hye’s husband. At first, I was surprised the narrative didn’t immediately focus on Young-hye herself, the central character. Instead, it paints a picture of her through the eyes of a man who is more concerned about his own discomfort than his wife’s inner turmoil. Her decision to turn vegetarian is portrayed as an inconvenience to him—a disruption to his comfortable ...