The Vegetarian by Han King is a story about a persons's state of mind, the decision to let life go or to hold onto it, and our inability to truly understand one another. The story was written in and is set in South Korea and translated for publication in the US. It is a …more perfect example of a well translated piece as it reads flawlessly.

The whole theme of the story is that we are all capable of letting go of our sanity. It hinges on whether we find a reason to hold onto it or not. Our lives aren't so much about if we appear to have love, family, success in our work and home lives, etc., but whether we recognize it as such, and if it's enough to get us to hold on.

Han King nailed it when it comes to not only laying out a good story, but giving the reader something that sticks to the bones. This story crawled inside of me and wont let go. I think of all the times we all must have had to make the decision to plug along while our mind is telling us to let go. I think that we are mostly alike in that way.

The Vegetarian is dark and disturbing, and yet strangely beautiful at the same time, and it is the author's willingness to expose some of her deepest thoughts and vulnerabilities that make it so. I recommend this beautiful story to any of you who enjoy a story that seems too strange to be true, but probably isn't. I personally love all the oddity that borders on the reality of life that I can get. Thank you, Han King. (less)