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...
It is not true that Delhi does not have spring! January and early February are the days of spring and flowers. March is already hot :)
ReplyDeleteI was being metaphorical, Sunil ji. thanks.
DeleteDivine intervention, luck are all terms that we can use but the point is that not everybody gets to be in such great surroundings. Sir you are lucky.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, Athena, I'm grateful to my stars.
Deletei liked fresh vs stale... maybe the word "stale" is a little out of place... how about new vs old ...
ReplyDeleteAccepted
DeleteSome deep observations there
ReplyDeleteSometimes life demands depth :
DeleteWhat comparisons!
ReplyDeleteGood read with pics. :)
Thanks, Indrani.
DeleteThese captures are great indeed. However, I would really wanna know someday, does the environment affect people's character?
ReplyDeleteOf course, Namrata, the environment certainly influences one's character. Living in a place with a lot of space around you would be entirely different from living in a crowded place, for example.
DeleteVery nice observation. Nice to read. Yes environment do affects one's behaviour/character.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gargi.
Deleteall the pictures really are revealing the contrast...our life is full of that..
ReplyDeletePolarity is a human creation... contrasts belong to nature.
DeleteI couldn't help but notice that in every pic, you had old dying tree and fresh green trees togehter :)
ReplyDeleteThat's the contrast, Pankti. Nature is constantly dying and being reborn...
Delete"without an intervening spring" - same story out here in Bangalore, and I was reminded of the blog I posted last year: http://navy-blue-jeans.blogspot.in/2013/02/spring.html
ReplyDeleteSpring has to disappear from cities. Destiny. Of the planet. The planet belongs to ...
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