#126 - Caspar-Maria Russo

The Vegetarian is a three-part novel set in modern-day Seoul. It tells the story of Yeong-hye, a home-maker who, after having nightmares involving images of animal slaughter, decides to stop eating meat. This decision leads to her becoming distanced from her family and society. The novel explores themes of power, obsession, mental illness, and the struggle against societal expectations and patriarchal structures. It is narrated in three parts, each focusing on different characters: Yeong-hye's husband, her brother-in-law, and her sister. The book delves into the darker aspects of human nature and the consequences of Yeong-hye's extreme attempt to reject violence by transforming her body into a plant-like state[1][4][5].