This week I picked one of the most celebrated books by the first South Korean literature Nobel laureate, Han Kang, and I'm left wondering what I'm missing. Why didn't I find The Vegetarian satisfying?
I read your interesting review. A crazy thought entered my mind, and I wondered what would happen if the scene and personae were changed.
What would happen if a middle-aged Vaishnavaite mami, in a joint family living at Srirangam that was steeped in religion, rituals and daily visits to the famous temple, turned a non-vegetarian indulging in meat, beef and pork?
How would her uncles, aunts and siblings react to such a 'preposterous' development against her arguments that the majority of the world population are non-vegetarians, the easy availability of the items, their high nutritional value and even the scriptures did not denounce it? Like Yeong-hye, she would also be treated as a rebel or infidel exposed to being thrown out unless she reformed her ways.
Non-conformity, rebellious acts and the tendency to show separateness from societal behaviour have always been frowned upon, somewhat like same-sex marriages. Willy-nilly things keep changing!
I cannot comment on the writing as I have not read the book but it should be high class going by the distinction conferred on the book.
Expected much in this novel. But....
I read your interesting review. A crazy thought entered my mind, and I wondered what would happen if the scene and personae were changed.
What would happen if a middle-aged Vaishnavaite mami, in a joint family living at Srirangam that was steeped in religion, rituals and daily visits to the famous temple, turned a non-vegetarian indulging in meat, beef and pork?
How would her uncles, aunts and siblings react to such a 'preposterous' development against her arguments that the majority of the world population are non-vegetarians, the easy availability of the items, their high nutritional value and even the scriptures did not denounce it? Like Yeong-hye, she would also be treated as a rebel or infidel exposed to being thrown out unless she reformed her ways.
Non-conformity, rebellious acts and the tendency to show separateness from societal behaviour have always been frowned upon, somewhat like same-sex marriages. Willy-nilly things keep changing!
I cannot comment on the writing as I have not read the book but it should be high class going by the distinction conferred on the book.
warm regards,
KP