Sonja
The book tells the story of a tumultuous friendship (almost veering on romance) between Sadie and Sam who are united by their love for playing and eventually making video games. The reader follows the characters from childhood into their 40s, witnessing their childhood trauma, coming of age, shared business ventures, rocky relationships, as well as loss and grief. The author draws genius parallels between video game concepts and themes like friendship, love, life and death. For example, Sam finds video games a kind of escape from the real world because on the one hand they are inherently better and more fair than the real world and on the other hand one can always begin again a game, have infinite tries at reaching the wished outcome, as opposed to real life where one often has just one go (and ultimately, only one life). In the end, it is concluded, however, that real life is similar to a game, offering a fresh page to start off each day, with the last pages of the book resembling how the story began on the first pages, with Sadie handing Sam a new game of hers to try and play, thus marking a new beginning for their friendship. It was an enthralling story and a joy to read.
The book tells the story of a tumultuous friendship (almost veering on romance) between Sadie and Sam who are united by their love for playing and eventually making video games. The reader follows the characters from childhood into their 40s, witnessing their childhood trauma, coming of age, shared business ventures, rocky relationships, as well as loss and grief. The author draws genius parallels between video game concepts and themes like friendship, love, life and death. For example, Sam finds video games a kind of escape from the real world because on the one hand they are inherently better and more fair than the real world and on the other hand one can always begin again a game, have infinite tries at reaching the wished outcome, as opposed to real life where one often has just one go (and ultimately, only one life). In the end, it is concluded, however, that real life is similar to a game, offering a fresh page to start off each day, with the last pages of the book resembling how the story began on the first pages, with Sadie handing Sam a new game of hers to try and play, thus marking a new beginning for their friendship. It was an enthralling story and a joy to read.
”The Vegetarian” is a difficult read. It doesn’t tell a pretty or comfortable story, but forces the reader to face the patriarchal society in place and as the cause of seemingly unrelated events. In the centre of the story, Yeong-hye is breaking free of the social norms and standards set by her father, husband and other males by making the innocent choice of becoming a vegetarian. As the circumstances evolve, she is eventually perceived as (or maybe actually driven to become) mentally ill, therefore left by her husband, abandoned by her parents and abused by her brother-in-law. Personally, I found that I was complicit as a reader in normalizing a patriarchal mindset because up until the third section of the book I did not fully realize myself how every female character’s life trajectory was rooted in and impacted by their male counterparts’ influence and control. I think it is a brilliant study of our society and a necessary read for everyone, just beware of the unsettling feeling it leaves you with.
”The Vegetarian” is a difficult read. It doesn’t tell a pretty or comfortable story, but forces the reader to face the patriarchal society in place and as the cause of seemingly unrelated events. In the centre of the story, Yeong-hye is breaking free of the social norms and standards set by her father, husband and other males by making the innocent choice of becoming a vegetarian. As the circumstances evolve, she is eventually perceived as (or maybe actually driven to become) mentally ill, therefore left by her husband, abandoned by her parents and abused by her brother-in-law. Personally, I found that I was complicit as a reader in normalizing a patriarchal mindset because up until the third section of the book I did not fully realize myself how every female character’s life trajectory was rooted in and impacted by their male counterparts’ influence and control. I think it is a brilliant study of our society and a necessary read for everyone, just beware of the unsettling feeling it leaves you with.
