Summary
The Vegetarian, a haunting and provocative novel by South Korean author Han Kang, took the literary world by storm when it was published in English translation in 2015. Originally released in South Korea in 2007, the book tells the story of Yeong-hye, a seemingly ordinary woman whose decision to stop eating meat sends shock waves through her family and society. With its exploration of violence, desire, and bodily autonomy, the novel grapples with profound questions about human nature and the limits of free will.
Han Kang's spare yet lyrical prose style, masterfully rendered in English by translator Deborah Smith, earned widespread critical acclaim. In 2016, The Vegetarian was awarded the prestigious Man Booker International Prize, catapulting the novel to international bestseller status. The book has since been translated into over 30 languages, cementing Han's reputation as one of the most important voices in contemporary world literature.
The Vegetarian was made into an independent South Korean film in 2009 directed by Lim Woo-seong. The novel's challenging themes and surreal imagery have made it a subject of ongoing literary analysis and discussion, with readers and critics alike grappling with its ambiguous ending and rich symbolism. Han Kang's unflinching examination of violence and metamorphosis in The Vegetarian continues to resonate with audiences around the world.
Plot
Yeong-hye and her husband live an ordinary life in Seoul until Yeong-hye begins having violent nightmares. Disturbed by these dreams, she decides to become a vegetarian, throwing away all the meat in the house. This decision causes conflict with her husband and family, who cannot understand her choice. At a family dinner, Yeong-hye's father attempts to force-feed her meat, leading to a disturbing confrontation where she harms herself.
In the second part of the novel, Yeong-hye's brother-in-law, an artist, becomes obsessed with her. He convinces Yeong-hye to participate in an erotic art project where he paints flowers on her naked body. This leads to a sexual encounter between them, which is discovered by his wife (Yeong-hye's sister). The brother-in-law's actions result in both him and Yeong-hye being hospitalized for mental health issues.
The final section focuses on Yeong-hye's sister, In-hye, who is struggling to cope with her sister's deteriorating condition and her own failing marriage. Yeong-hye is now in a psychiatric hospital, refusing to eat and believing she can survive by photosynthesis like a plant. In-hye visits her regularly, trying desperately to get her to eat. During one visit, In-hye witnesses the forceful treatment of her sister and intervenes, resulting in both of them being transferred to a different hospital.
