By Han Kang
SPOILER-FREE
Before the nightmares began, Yeong-hye and her husband lived an ordinary, controlled life. But the dreams–invasive images of blood and brutality–torture her, driving Yeong-hye to purge her mind and renounce eating meat altogether. It’s a small act of independence, but it interrupts her marriage and sets into motion an increasingly grotesque chain of events at home. As her husband, her brother-in-law and sister each fight to reassert their control, Yeong-hye obsessively defends the choice that’s become sacred to her. Soon their attempts turn desperate, subjecting first her mind, and then her body, to ever more intrusive and perverse violations, sending Yeong-hye spiraling into a dangerous, bizarre estrangement, not only from those closest to her, but also from herself.
REVIEW
THEMES: DARK, SAD, TENSE, FAST-PACED.
One of the first horror/psychological fictions I have read, and it was an experience.
It is interesting reading a book where the main character does not speak (barely). Whilst the book is about a woman named Yeong-hye, it is actually told from the perspective of the people around her.
Kang was able to find good middle ground for the ‘horror’ element, I am someone who does not like – what I like to call it – mania horror, where you do not know what is real and what is not. Kang was able to leave some aspects to the imagination but not enough to leave you utterly confused.
The storyline built up steadily to an interesting climax and the character POV switch was intriguing and refreshing.
It is a good horror; however I have read better – It would not be the first horror book I would recommend but I would not dissuade someone from reading this.
Fair warning: it is very gory and there is sexual violence, if this is something that upsets you should not read this book!
Click link below for Storygraph overview, which includes general rating, summary (same as above) and other reviews.
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