The Vegetarian: A Novel

The Vegetarian is a novel that explores the brutality of desire indulged and ignored, and the consequences of subverting societal norms. It is a disturbing and beautiful tale of shame, desire, and our faltering attempts to understand others.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 17 August 2023
Publisher: Granta Publications Ltd

Winner of the International Booker Prize, Eimear McBride's novel "The Vegetarian" is a strange, painfully tender exploration of the brutality of desire indulged and the fatality of desire ignored. Set in modern-day South Korea, Yeong-hye, a dutiful wife and mild-mannered office worker, decides to become a vegetarian after experiencing grotesque recurring nightmares. However, in a society where vegetarianism is almost unheard-of and societal mores are strictly obeyed, her passive rebellion rapidly manifests in bizarre and frightening forms, from sexual sadism to attempted suicide, and in increasingly erotic and unhinged artworks.

Disturbing and beautiful by turns, "The Vegetarian" is a revelatory novel about modern-day South Korea, a tale of shame, desire, and our faltering attempts to understand others. McBride's writing is exquisite, with vivid descriptions that bring the characters and their surroundings to life. The novel also explores the complexities of gender roles, social expectations, and the pressures of conformity in a society that values tradition and hierarchy.

Through the character of Yeong-hye, McBride examines the ways in which desire can be both destructive and transformative. She shows how our desires can lead us to act in ways that are contrary to our own values and beliefs, and how they can also be a source of strength and resilience in the face of adversity. The novel also raises important questions about the nature of reality and the role of imagination in shaping our understanding of the world.

"The Vegetarian" is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the human condition that will leave readers pondering its themes long after they have finished reading. It is a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary literature, gender roles, and the complexities of desire.

Weight: 138g
Dimension: 198 x 128 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781803510057