ABOUT THE URBAN SOALCE BOOK LOVERS' CLUB:

The Urban Solace Book Lovers' Club started in 2010 as a result of a meet-up of writers whose stories were published in the book "Chicken Soup for the Indian Teachers Soul" Inspired by the energy of this experience, the Urban Solace Book Lovers' Club was born. From there, it has grown from strength to strength, hosting its monthly meet on the second Sunday of every month. Over the years, the club has hosted over 50 published authors to discuss their writings, and these writers were the best from Bangalore, India and around the world who have sought us out to experience this dynamic of our club. Today, the Urban Solace Book Lovers' Club has a set of loyal supporters and a sterling reputation of being the longest-running book club in the city in a cafe setting and is sought after by several writers from Bangalore and across the country to be featured in our experience.

ABOUT THE BOOK: The Vegetarian by Han Kang

The Vegetarian is a 2007 novel by South Korean author Han Kang, winner of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature. Based on Han's 1997 short story "The Fruit of My Woman", The Vegetarian is a three-part novel set in modern-day Seoul and tells the story of Yeong-hye, a part-time graphic artist and home-maker, whose decision to stop eating meat after a bloody nightmare about human cruelty leads to devastating consequences in her personal and familial life.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: HAN KANG

Han Kang, born 27 November 1970, is a South Korean writer. From 2007 to 2018, she taught creative writing at the Seoul Institute of the Arts. Han rose to international prominence for her novel The Vegetarian, which became the first Korean-language novel to win the International Booker Prize for fiction in 2016. In 2024, she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, a first for an Asian woman and for a Korean.

ABOUT THE CURATOR: NIVEDITA

Nivedita is a Retail Analytics and Insights professional who spends most of her days working and her nights reading. She finds joy in good fiction, strong ginger tea, and meaningful conversations.

For her, books are little portals to new ideas—and occasionally, emotional chaos. She loves a story that lingers (and maybe messes with her head a bit). Whether it’s a buzzy new novel or something more serious, if it’s well told, she’s hooked.

When she’s not working or reading, you’ll find her journaling in cafés, dabbling in digital art, or binge-watching Netflix. Nivedita is looking forward to diving into this month's The Vegetarian and hearing everyone’s unique take on it.