I cannot for the life of me remember where I read this, but somewhere I read a Fitzgerald essay that described his novels as literature for students. Like, the FORESHADOWING and SYMBOLISM and METAPHOR are so clear and easy to talk about that the novels almost seem written specifically for teaching high schoolers about those concepts. It's stuck with me because I read The Great Gatsby in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep when I was in Germany and it was the only book in the house in English that I hadn't already read and I remember thinking "God, what a bore...why are people still reading this?"
This does NOT do The Vegetarian justice. Maybe I'm biased because it's the first Han Kang book I ever read, and I read it in IB English Literature HL, which was one of my favorite classes of all time. Still: the point of the novel is not Yeong-Hye's self-destruction; Yeong-Hye is not a real person! One of its intentions ("big why", as my English teacher would say) is to show the relationship between bodily autonomy and societal expectations. That's why it's told from different perspectives; that's why we get so little of the protagonist's own perspective. Ultimately, The Vegetarian is not about a woman's self-destruction resulting from her dietary choices, but her environment's reaction to her dietary choices and the (self-)destruction resulting from those reactions (I'd list them here, but I don't want to spoil the book for those still planning to read it).
Yes, you can say that it fucked you up; if it hadn't, I'd have believed you weren't paying attention while reading. Yes, I'd be cautious with it if you have a history of issues with food/eating. Yes, it's graphic and gory at times, but that's part of the intention and in my eyes makes it even more worth to read.
you're of course absolutely right! i had a very personal visceral reaction to it but i definitely acknowledge it *was* personal (and i think/hope i did that in my little recap), and that the dietary choices were partly in response to societal expectations (i'd argue that so are many, if not most, instances of disordered eating!). i understand the symbology of it all but it still hit me hard from the very graphic descriptions of disordered eating. hope that helps! <3
I read my first Lispector last year and I feel like I am still in recovery. I think I will need to make Agua Viva my next read by her… I read *Hour of the star* and felt so mesmerised by it but it was tough to read.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Two random thoughts came to mind: 1) Brandon Taylor wrote an essay about Fathers and Sons a couple years back that you might enjoy since you just finished it. https://blgtylr.substack.com/p/zaddies-and-they-kids?utm_source=publication-search and 2) your summary of Washington Square reminded me that of the many, many theater productions I've seen over the years, one of the greatest of all time was Cherry Jones in The Heiress (the adaptation of Washington Square) and she made me truly feel for Catherine.
I so love that you take the time to share this. In the interest of returning the favor, a (not new) book that enchanted me recently - The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende, Spanish version (came first, published in Barcelona) is La casa de los espíritus. Thank you as always love your work
honestly reading this many classics in a quarter is a flex ... and I cannot and will not defend Fitzgerald but I do think gatsby is near-perfect modernist American lit and, if I may be bold, I think we will maybe never have another gatsby??
I have made up my mind to spend the $40/ year subscription only because this morning I'm sitting in a park early with a cold brew coffee can from CVS on ice cubes and enjoying the breeze. Your way of telling me your experience is what I want in a friend. Your narrative or snopsis is breezy, almost like to tap my shoulder for every time you mention a new author. Very refreshing to be your acquaintance this summer Elle. I am Maximus Seneca Founder CEO EVURO Inc
I cannot for the life of me remember where I read this, but somewhere I read a Fitzgerald essay that described his novels as literature for students. Like, the FORESHADOWING and SYMBOLISM and METAPHOR are so clear and easy to talk about that the novels almost seem written specifically for teaching high schoolers about those concepts. It's stuck with me because I read The Great Gatsby in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep when I was in Germany and it was the only book in the house in English that I hadn't already read and I remember thinking "God, what a bore...why are people still reading this?"
Always here for some Fitzgerald dragging lol
This does NOT do The Vegetarian justice. Maybe I'm biased because it's the first Han Kang book I ever read, and I read it in IB English Literature HL, which was one of my favorite classes of all time. Still: the point of the novel is not Yeong-Hye's self-destruction; Yeong-Hye is not a real person! One of its intentions ("big why", as my English teacher would say) is to show the relationship between bodily autonomy and societal expectations. That's why it's told from different perspectives; that's why we get so little of the protagonist's own perspective. Ultimately, The Vegetarian is not about a woman's self-destruction resulting from her dietary choices, but her environment's reaction to her dietary choices and the (self-)destruction resulting from those reactions (I'd list them here, but I don't want to spoil the book for those still planning to read it).
Yes, you can say that it fucked you up; if it hadn't, I'd have believed you weren't paying attention while reading. Yes, I'd be cautious with it if you have a history of issues with food/eating. Yes, it's graphic and gory at times, but that's part of the intention and in my eyes makes it even more worth to read.
you're of course absolutely right! i had a very personal visceral reaction to it but i definitely acknowledge it *was* personal (and i think/hope i did that in my little recap), and that the dietary choices were partly in response to societal expectations (i'd argue that so are many, if not most, instances of disordered eating!). i understand the symbology of it all but it still hit me hard from the very graphic descriptions of disordered eating. hope that helps! <3
I was going to say this, but you beat me to it.
also macbeth is my favorite Shakespeare play...you NEEEED to read richard iii though it's so fun
have actually never read it adding it to my list immediately!
I read my first Lispector last year and I feel like I am still in recovery. I think I will need to make Agua Viva my next read by her… I read *Hour of the star* and felt so mesmerised by it but it was tough to read.
Right?? I need to read Hour of the star soon, too. I’m so overwhelmed (laudatory) by her writing
somehow only started reading Keegan within the last few months, but now i'm obsessed. So awesome! So Irish!!
Yess I love this for you! I still need to read Antarctica but everything I’ve read of hers so far is very much flawless.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Two random thoughts came to mind: 1) Brandon Taylor wrote an essay about Fathers and Sons a couple years back that you might enjoy since you just finished it. https://blgtylr.substack.com/p/zaddies-and-they-kids?utm_source=publication-search and 2) your summary of Washington Square reminded me that of the many, many theater productions I've seen over the years, one of the greatest of all time was Cherry Jones in The Heiress (the adaptation of Washington Square) and she made me truly feel for Catherine.
I so love that you take the time to share this. In the interest of returning the favor, a (not new) book that enchanted me recently - The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende, Spanish version (came first, published in Barcelona) is La casa de los espíritus. Thank you as always love your work
i've been waiting for this!!!!!
honestly reading this many classics in a quarter is a flex ... and I cannot and will not defend Fitzgerald but I do think gatsby is near-perfect modernist American lit and, if I may be bold, I think we will maybe never have another gatsby??
I have made up my mind to spend the $40/ year subscription only because this morning I'm sitting in a park early with a cold brew coffee can from CVS on ice cubes and enjoying the breeze. Your way of telling me your experience is what I want in a friend. Your narrative or snopsis is breezy, almost like to tap my shoulder for every time you mention a new author. Very refreshing to be your acquaintance this summer Elle. I am Maximus Seneca Founder CEO EVURO Inc