Reviews with content warning for Abortion - 내 휴식과 이완의 해

While the ending felt somewhat rushed, the story was an interesting example of an unreliable, jaded narrator who can't face their own emotions. The main character's transformation is a leap yet still based in judgment and a perspective on humanity that seems dissociated. Lots of complex characters, but we see them through the main character's angst veil. But past that veil, you can see redeeming qualities in most of the characters, including the main one. They're very human.

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sofiax's review against another edition

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challenging sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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thealbapoems's review against another edition

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dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Hm, this was… a read. I bought this book after seeing it everywhere, and because I felt like after my back surgery it could maybe resonate with me a little more? Having to stay inside, lay down, sleep, etc. But it did not resonate with me at all. I don’t know I didn’t analyze it very much, but it all just felt very sensationalist, it’s a story I feel like I’ve read before, only the main character hibernates for a year. I found it unsettling how much focus there was on the main character’s appearance, how pretty she is, how thin and blonde and rich. Maybe it was done on purpose to showcase how much she had internalized what other people thought of her upon meeting her. Not sure. I didn’t find the relationships between the characters believable, and the plot left me somewhat indifferent. That being said, if there is something that surprised me about this book is the voice. How well constructed it is, how well it carries the readers through the life of this frankly unlikeable person. It felt like a personification of intrusive thoughts. Now that I think about it I couldn't name the main character if I wanted. Might have been a bit of a Rebecca moment. Anyway, read it if you would like to explore what it would be like to give in to your intrusive thoughts.

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const_elle_ations's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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mariavdl's review against another edition

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dark sad

Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

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teresarosereads's review against another edition

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dark reflective sad

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Such a fascinating concept and perspective to read from! The main character is completely unrelatable considering she is very privileged and wealthy enough to spend an entire year sleeping and shutting herself away. She was often an insufferable character to read from and treated those around her poorly. Nonetheless, her experiences with depression were conveyed in such a way that glued me to the book to see what would happen next. This book was strange and dark and completely captivating. I definitely want to pick up more of Moshfegh's works!

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