The Vegetarian by Han Kang - Chaesikjuuija  (Paperback, Han Kang)

A dark, haunting, and thought-provoking novel about rebellion, desire, and the consequences of nonconformity. Yeong-hye, an ordinary South Korean woman, suddenly decides to stop eating meat after a series of disturbing dreams. What begins as a simple dietary choice soon spirals into an extreme transformation, shaking the foundations of her marriage, family, and society’s expectations. As those around her struggle to control and understand her, Yeong-hye’s quiet defiance leads to shocking consequences. Told through three perspectives—her husband, her brother-in-law, and her sister—The Vegetarian explores themes of mental illness, gender roles, violence, and self-identity. Han Kang’s poetic prose, combined with Deborah Smith’s masterful translation, creates an unsettling yet mesmerizing reading experience. Winner of the 2016 Man Booker International Prize and written by 2024 Nobel Laureate Han Kang, The Vegetarian is a powerful meditation on the fragility of the human mind and the cost of personal freedom.