"The Vegetarian" by Han Kang

I know I'm a bit late to the party but I finally read 'The Vegetarian' by Han Kang.

It is set in South Korea and about a woman who becomes a vegetarian (but actually a vegan) over night.
Her vegetarianism here is the first sign of a mental illness which becomes more severe as the story goes on. Her story is divided into three parts and narrated by her husband, her brother-in-law and her sister.

I hated the portayal of the husband in the first part. It feels more a cultural comment than a character description leaving him flat and one-sided. But I liked the story better as it went on, as it becomes more complex. We experience their every-day life through his eyes. There is a deep incomprehensibility on his part toward his wife which makes the reader feel more and more for her.

The second part is narrated through the eyes of her brother-in-law. He is an artist and slightly obsessed with her. He convinces her to be part of his film project which includes a nude sex scene with them both.

The third and last part narrates the complete decline of her as witnessed by her sister.

Overall, it is a highly interesting and sensitive subject but something seems missing. I felt like it needed to be more elaborate and detailed.
It is a quick and easy read that leaves you wanting more.