Book Review Title: The Vegetarian Author: Han Kang Translator: Deborah Smith [from Korean] Publisher: Granta, London, 2018 Pages: 183 Insanity can provide infinite opportunities to a novelist. The protagonist of Nobel laureate Han Kang’s Booker-winner novel, The Vegetarian , thinks of herself as a tree. One can argue with ample logic and conviction that trees are far better than humans. “Trees are like brothers and sisters,” Yeong-hye, the protagonist, says. She identifies herself with the trees and turns vegetarian one day. Worse, she gives up all food eventually. Of course, she ends up in a mental hospital. The Vegetarian tells Yeong-hye’s tragic story on the surface. Below that surface, it raises too many questions that leave us pondering deeply. What does it mean to be human? Must humanity always entail violence? Is madness a form of truth, a more profound truth than sanity’s wisdom? In the disturbing world of this novel, trees represent peace, stillness, and nonviol...
The gates, the watch tower with gunmen sporting AK-47. OUCH! Really hurts.
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Our security personnel actually don't carry an AK-47; but they were invested with certain powers which were later rescinded.
DeleteWhile the new cream colour is ok, the change in the colours of the wall and the gate is rather atrocious.
It's easy to relate to the emotions here. In Kolkata also, colors are rapidly changing from red to Mamata Banerjee's favorite color - azure..!Crazy~
ReplyDeleteExactly, Panchali, more than the colours themselves, what actually matter are the undertones.
DeleteIt is sad to see this happen. Sadder still that it is in education. Nothing remains the same. I have seen this happen to organizations I have built from scratch, built on conviction, but I was powerless when it began to change, perhaps for the greater good, I do not know. I only know that it set me free to do what I needed to do at that time. If it had not changed, I too would have remained closeted. Best wishes, Tomichan.
ReplyDeletePerhaps, Subhorup, perhaps for the greater good. I'm ready to keep that open mind.
DeleteThe gate actually look like a prison gate. Keeping out the children will still do, imagine what children inside would feel like!!
ReplyDeleteIn fact, I just checked out the gates of Tihar jail on a website. They look far more colourful and welcoming!
Deletewould anyone student be able to bunk classes , jump across these walls and go for a movie ? thats one of the best memories of my school days :D
ReplyDeleteThe colours are a different matter, TTT. Colours can mean many things.
DeleteSchools too camouflage!
ReplyDeleteHow much camouflage is necessary?
DeleteBlack indeed!
ReplyDeleteWell the school is on a main road so I guess some security is necessary.
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