The Vegetarian by Han Kang

The more porous the dam barriers are, the weaker the force of water. - RFKuang

The oyster addict protagonist Yeong-hye became a vegetarian, which impacted her husband Cheong, BIL, and sister In-hye's 'already-messed-up' lives. The chain reaction of events in her life has manifested involuntary difficulties in their lives, and the story dives into each of their perspectives.

Yeong-hye's imagination and hallucinations tried to incessantly overcome herself, which made her oblivious to her surroundings. Cheong's built-up resentment in his marriage life had moulded him not to reason his wife's sudden change in diet. In-hye's husband had taken his freedom for granted that he would go to any extent in his devilishly niche art work. In-hye late realisation that her husband has been more of a devotee than a lover was upsetting. Therefore, the title 'The Vegetarian' is just a metaphor for this unsettling story.

The well-written, unrefined incidents in this book are discomforting. Not a page-turner, but I felt nauseated and squeamish reading certain parts of the story. This is the first psychological book that disturbed me emotionally and mentally to the core. I believe the author Han Kang's intention for the readers is fulfilled. The takeaway from this book is huge. Though a vegetarian diet isn't still widely considered natural but rather preposterous at present, 'The Vegetarian' implies that trying to respect others preferences is humanity.