The Vegetarian by Han Kang and What It Made Me Think About

There are books you read and enjoy, books you quickly forget, and then there are books that stay with you because they leave you thinking about something long after you've finished them. 

Some books entertain you, while others leave you with questions. The Vegetarian by Han Kang was the latter for me. 

The Vegetarian by Han Kang book

This is not a book I would describe as easy or comforting. It is unusual, unsettling and at times, difficult to process. But perhaps that is exactly what makes it memorable. Rather than simply telling a story, Han Kang makes you question ideas about identity, personal choices, relationships and the way we respond to change. 

At the center of the story is Yeong-Hye, a quiet woman who decides to stop eating meat after experiencing disturbing dreams. What initially seems like a simple personal decision gradually becomes something much more significant. Her choice challenges the expectations of the people around her and eventually leads her to question the life she has been living. 

For me, one of the most interesting themes in The Vegetarian is individuality. We all make choices based on our circumstances, values and experiences. Sometimes those choices are easy for others to understand, and sometimes they aren't. The book made me think about how differently people can see the same decision. What feels deeply personal and meaningful to one person may seem unusual or difficult to understand to another. 

I don't relate to Yeong-Hye's extreme transformation, but I could relate to the more universal idea behind it- the process of understanding yourself and deciding what feels right for you. 

As we grow older, our priorities naturally change. The things we wanted a few years ago may not be what we want today. Our understanding of ourselves develops, our circumstances change and sometimes we simply begin to see life differently. 

That doesn't necessarily mean making dramatic changes. Sometimes it is much simpler. It can mean becoming more comfortable with your opinions, recognising what matters to you, learning to say no when necessary or simply permitting yourself to change your mind. 

The book also made me think about relationships, family expectations, women's autonomy and the quieter ways people can lose themselves. 

Not necessarily through dramatic decisions. 

Sometimes it happens through the small things. 

The things you stop saying. 

The dreams you postpone. 

The choices you make because they will make everyone else happier. 

The version of yourself you slowly put aside because she doesn't fit neatly into the life you've built. 

I think these are experiences many people can recognise in different ways, without necessarily having experienced anything like what Yeong-Hye went through. There is something very human about wondering whether the life you're living still reflects who you are becoming. 

Perhaps that's why Yeong-Hye stayed in my mind long after I finished the novel. 

Another aspect I appreciated was the way Han Kang portrays relationships. People don't always experience life in the same way, even when they are close to each other. We can care deeply about someone and still struggle to understand their perspective. 

I think that is a realistic part of being human. 

We all come from different backgrounds and carry different experiences. What feels obvious to one person may not feel the same to another. Sometimes, respecting those differences is more important than trying to find one “right” way of living. 

That was one of the quieter lessons I took from the book. 

This book made me think about how difficult it can be to hold on to your individuality when the people around you have already decided who you should be. We often associate confidence with being outspoken and certain, but there is also a quieter kind of confidence: knowing what feels right for you, even when you cannot explain it to everyone else. Being quiet does not mean others have the right to dismiss your feelings or cross your boundaries. Sometimes, staying true to yourself means making choices that may disappoint, confuse, or unsettle the people around you, especially when they challenge expectations placed on you. But that does not necessarily make those choices wrong.

There were moments while reading when I found myself thinking about my own life—not because my experiences resembled Yeong-Hye's, but because the book encouraged me to reflect on change and the person we become along the way. 

Life doesn't always follow the plans we make for it. Our careers change, priorities change, relationships evolve and our understanding of ourselves shifts. 

And perhaps that isn't something we should always be afraid of. 

What I appreciated most about Han Kang's The Vegetarian is that it doesn't give you a simple answer. You are left to interpret Yeong-Hye's choices for yourself. Is she seeking freedom? Is she escaping something? Is she losing herself? There isn't one straightforward answer. 

That ambiguity is what makes the novel so fascinating. 

My personal takeaway from The Vegetarian book review is that we don't always have to completely understand another person's choices to appreciate that they may have their own reasons for making them. 

Life is complicated. People are complicated. And sometimes, understanding doesn't come from having all the answers. It comes from being willing to look at something from a different perspective. 

I wouldn't say this was an enjoyable read in the traditional sense. It was more of a thought-provoking one. It made me uncomfortable at times, curious at others, and most importantly, reflective. 

Would I recommend it? Yes, particularly if you enjoy literary fiction that explores human behaviour, identity, relationships and the more complicated sides of life. Just don't expect a light or conventional story.