Reviewing 'The vegetarian' by Han Kang

 The novel revolves around the life of Yeong Hye narrated by three different people. We only delve into Hye’s thoughts when her nightmares are vividly described. The first part of the story is narrated by her husband. It reflects on the difficulties faced by individuals who dare to present their individuality in a repressive society, characterized by her decision to turn to vegetarianism in a meat-centric culture like South Korea. It also demonstrates a hint of patriarchal dominance in the protagonist's life as she faces hostility due to her decision. The way she is exposed to violence and humiliation in her household, and among her people is heartbreaking.

The second part of the book, narrated by Yeong Hye’s brother-in-law revolves around his obsessive fixation with a Mongolian mark on the protagonist’s back. He fantasizes about filming her in different artistic poses and objectifies her from then on. Hye agrees to do as he pleases but her behaviour reflects her abnormal mental state. He goes too far and exploits Yeong Hye’s condition.

The third part is narrated by Hye’s elder sister, it revolves around her life after she completely loses touch with reality. This is the only person in the novel who views the protagonist as a person and not merely an object of desire. Hye is financially and mentally a burden on her sister, but still, she sees her with compassion and wonders if she could’ve changed how tragic things turned out to be. She is the only caretaker of Yeong Hye and she tries to pull her back to normal but as time passes she realizes and understands Yeong Hye and her desire to be one with nature.

Yeong Hye’s mental illness causes her health to deteriorate and is slowly taking her closer to death but to her, it is not destruction but liberation. She stopped eating meat in hopes of running away from her nightmares but those were the early signs of her degenerating sanity.

The ending leaves you reflecting on the toll of individuality and brings about a feeling of emptiness.