The Vegetarian - by Han Kang (Hardcover)
In "The Vegetarian," the story is told from four different perspectives, including a dream sequence from Yeong-hye's point of view, written in first person. The male characters, Yeong-hye's husband and In-hye's husband, are depicted as selfish and abusive, objectifying and using their wives without supporting them. In contrast, the female characters, In-hye and Yeong-hye, are portrayed as survivors in a crazy society. In-hye tries to protect her sister, Yeong-hye, and eventually comes to the realization that the world is messed up. Yeong-hye is seen as the least crazy character as she tries to gain control over her life and escape the insanity of society.
The book is seen as a fairly accurate depiction of Korean society, with the male characters representing predators in this monstrous world, programmed to abuse and unable to see the fault in their behavior. In-hye is a survivor who adapts to this crazy world, but still has the potential to realize its flaws. Yeong-hye, on the other hand, refuses to take part in this society and finds a way to deal with it by becoming a vegetarian and refusing to eat.
Overall, the characters in "The Vegetarian" are complex and their actions and motivations are deeply rooted in the society they live in. The unique story structure, with multiple perspectives, adds depth to the portrayal of this society and the characters within it.