by Gary Romeo
An off-topic book that made for an interesting read. I tried vegetarianism long ago. I was marginally involved in animal rights (mostly dog and cat issues; like spay/neuter and anti-animal testing) and really wished to change my diet. In 1999, I put together a local radio show often featuring some national speakers. It was a solid effort but lifelong addiction to meat won the day and although I withdrew from activism I still admire people who prefer a humane diet.
The Vegetarian by Han Kung is not about animal rights. Any book, movie, etc. that talks about vegetarianism will bring that issue to mind but this book is more about an individual decision and the aftermath.
The book is divided into three parts. The first section deals with Yeong-hye’s decision to become a vegetarian and her husband’s reaction. The husband, Mr. Cheong, is the mild-mannered type. He didn’t marry for love. More for complacency. “The paunch that started appearing in my mid-twenties, my skinny legs and forearms that steadfastly refused to bulk up in spite of my best efforts, the inferiority complex I used to have about the size of my penis – – I could rest assured that I wouldn’t have to fret about such things on her account.”
About five years into the marriage, she decides to become a vegetarian, heretofore her only quirk was to go braless. She tosses out all animal products, including expensive cuts of meat. Her husband is angry and perplexed. She explains that she had a dream. The first chapter is from his point of view, except when the text shifts to italics. Then her dreams and thoughts are given. The husband has to attend a business dinner and much fuss is made when she refuses to eat meat. Her husband is afraid her choices will affect his career. There is some humor in the boss’s wife’s reaction and again later, when Mr. Cheong calls his wife’s father and her sister to complain. They both were very sympathetic. Mr. Cheong narrates: “I considered repeating the process by calling my wife’s younger brother, Yeong-ho, but decided that that would be overdoing it.”
Yeong-hye refuses to change her vegetarian and now celibate ways. She has become so thin as to appear unhealthy. Her husband rationalizes periodically raping her. Her father slaps her and tries to force her to eat meat. Yeong-hye reacts with a suicide attempt and is hospitilized. Once recovered she leaves her bed to sit naked in the facility’s garden.
The second part changes the focus to Yeong-hye’s brother in law. He is an artist and has a personal vision involving flowers and nudity, inspired by the Mongolian mark (a bluish birthmark) on his son’s body that eventually faded. He learns that Yeong-hye has the same mark but hers never faded. Yeong-hye has separated from her husband. The brother in law visits her and talks her into letting him paint flowers on her nude body while filming her. Eventually they have sex and he films the act. His wife discovers the film and Yeong once again is committed to the hospital.
The final chapter is told by In-hye, Yeong-hye’s sister. Yeong-hye is in bad shape. She is convinced that she has become a tree. In-hye starts having her own dreams of trees. When the doctors try to force feed Yeong, In-hye bites the doctor and Yeong vomits blood. An ambulance is called and In-hye stares at the trees as they rush pass.
I can’t say I understood all the symbolism and meaning that the author was trying to convey. I found the first chapter to be easily understood and sympathized with Yeong. The second chapter was confusing for me. I found the brother in law’s artistic vision to be interesting but felt he was manipulative in a disturbing way. The third chapter was too symbolic. I get that Yeong just wanted peace and agree “I think that I shall never see, a poem as lovely as a tree.” But if there was more I don’t know. The novel is worth the read for several insightful passages and the empathy the author makes the reader feel for Yeong-hye (and women like her).
spraguedecampfan 