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...
wow !! u have a farm house kind of place .. aint it ??
ReplyDeleteNice !! A months vacation from ShEila ji's city should be refreshing among the greenery !
.. between the sane animals .. the sane creatures of God !! All of them look so happy !! :)
Enjoy and keep posting :)
Exactly, Jack. It's a farm. It belongs to my brother. I have a small share in the place...
DeleteWhere in Kerala Sir? Looks like Kottayam :)
ReplyDeleteAlmost, Jahid. Just 40 km from Kottayam. A village.
DeleteWow this looks so lovely I absolutely adore the kitten :)
ReplyDeletewaiting for more...
Richa
Richa, I wanted to post more pictures. But the connectivity in the village is awful. The pleasures of the countryside are different, you see... different from what technology can provide.
Deletewow thats soo cute
ReplyDeleteGlad you found it cute.
DeleteIts looking like a very nice and wonderful place. Hope to visit this place in my lifetime. :)
ReplyDeleteTechnology News
Most welcome. This place is far out of any tourist map, however.
Deletewow! awesome!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Easwar ji.
DeletePerfect to unwind!
ReplyDeleteNice place. Enjoy your vacation.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Indrani.
DeleteI have stayed in a similar yet dissimilar place, a single storey sprawling house in verdant surroundings, but right dab in the middle of Chengannur, right next to the temple and the river. Enjoyed it thoroughly, for about 2 days.
ReplyDeleteAnd, you are doing it for a whole month. Yet, you complain!
RE
No complaints, Raghuram. I'm enjoying my vacation.
DeleteHappy Holidays. That's a great place to recharge yourself for another academic year. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm indeed recharging myself. Thanks.
DeleteDesi heaven ! enjoy your holidays Sir, kerela, gods own country .. lucky you ....
ReplyDeleteEnjoying, friend.
Delete