Literary · Horror
The Vegetarian
After a disturbing dream, a quiet South Korean woman stops eating meat, and her family reacts with growing force. The story is told in three parts by her husband, her brother-in-law and her sister, never by her.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 2007
- Pace
- Slow
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 201
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you like spare, unsettling literary fiction that raises questions without explaining them.
Skip this if you want a clear plot or sympathetic explanations, or you would find the family violence and assault upsetting.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about The Vegetarian
- What is The Vegetarian about?
- After a disturbing dream, a quiet South Korean woman stops eating meat, and her family reacts with growing force. The story is told in three parts by her husband, her brother-in-law and her sister, never by her.
- Who should read The Vegetarian?
- Read it if you like spare, unsettling literary fiction that raises questions without explaining them. Skip it if you want a clear plot or sympathetic explanations, or you would find the family violence and assault upsetting.
- How long and how fast is The Vegetarian?
- It is a slow-paced, short read of about 201 pages, first published in 2007.
- Does The Vegetarian have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Abuse, Sexual assault, Mental illness, Self harm, Eating disorder, Violence.
- Can I borrow The Vegetarian for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Vegetarian; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after The Vegetarian?
- Readers who liked it often move on to Convenience Store Woman, The Metamorphosis, My Year of Rest and Relaxation.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved The Vegetarian
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Convenience Store Woman Another short Asian novel about a woman who refuses social expectations, though with far more humour.
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The Metamorphosis
A short, strange story of a person changing and a family that cannot cope with it.
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My Year of Rest and Relaxation A cool, bleak study of a woman withdrawing from the world on her own terms.
Literary
