tscott907's review
3.25
Massively depressing and inscrutable, but I liked it. Definitely a polarizing read.
shibainu000's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
honestly insane and scatological, a grand guignolesque portrayal of life in the medieval ages. moshfegh really likes poop. and self-flagellation. i guess its not for the faint of heart.
aydanf's review against another edition
3.0
I am disappointed, it was interesting for sure but it wasnt anything profound. good writing as always but a let down as I didnt feel anything for any of the characters. I know theyre meant to be depraved but I literally didnt care what happened to 97% of them
megmcgov's review
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
rzarate9696's review against another edition
5.0
Ottessa Moshfegh has delivered her magnum opus with Lapvona. Every character residing in the eponymous village is explored in all of their grotesquely beautiful humanity and depravity. This is an absolutely hilarious book full of astute observations and stakes that don't have to titillate you to compel you to be invested in them. I love this book.
beccacabra's review
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
oakfield's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lindseygl's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ninamay's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
icameheretoread's review
5.0
I just finished this and I'm still reeling. I cannot believe how absorbed I was in this tale of a shepard's boy and his village. I'm not a stranger to Moshfegh's writing, I love her: the cruel streak, the ugliness of life, and the complete lack of joy in her writing (squee! I love how she sees the world). There are things that happen in this story that had me throwing the book on the ground yelling, that did NOT just happen. There were other things that just turned my stomach. I just went on a trip through a range of emotions.