VOL.96/2026.07

The Vegetarian by Han Kang

2025.05.07

Han Kang’s The Vegetarian is a haunting, deeply psychological novel that explores personal autonomy, societal expectations, and the consequences of nonconformity. The story follows Yeong-hye, an ordinary woman who suddenly decides to stop eating meat after a series of disturbing dreams. What begins as a simple dietary choice soon spirals into a harrowing transformation, unsettling her family and leading to increasingly surreal and tragic events.
The novel is divided into three parts, each narrated by different people in Yeong-hye’s life?her husband, brother-in-law, and sister. Through their perspectives, we witness how Yeong-hye’s quiet rebellion disrupts the rigid structures of family and society. Han Kang’s prose is spare yet poetic, creating an eerie and unsettling atmosphere that lingers long after the book is finished.
One of the most powerful aspects of The Vegetarian is its exploration of the body as a battleground. Yeong-hye’s refusal to conform is seen as an act of madness rather than self-liberation, highlighting the ways in which patriarchal and cultural forces suppress individuality. The novel also raises profound questions about desire, control, and identity?questions that have no easy answers.
The Vegetarian is not a comfortable read, but it is a necessary one. It is a story about resistance, about the cost of choosing one’s own path, and about how society reacts when someone refuses to play by its rules. Whether read as an allegory, a feminist critique, or a psychological drama, Han Kang’s novel is unforgettable, making it a must-read for anyone interested in thought-provoking literature.

Written by Willie Frances (Reader of K-Book Trends)