pissboy3000's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is heavily self-indulgent, so if you aren’t into that, it might be a no-go. HOWEVER if you like to read about women that are like, a little bit evil and fucked in the head then this book will have you captivated
taylorswiftluvr's review against another edition
1.0
dnf’d this bc im clearly not the target audience (white and privileged)
jadathereader's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
emoryalexander99's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
the last 30 pages are the only ones worth reading
blorg's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
loved it dont read it if ur sad tho
lilmiam's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-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
3.0
starryeved's review against another edition
3.0
"There she is, a human being, diving into the unknown, and she is wide awake."
A raw, provocative contemporary work, strangely reminiscent of Elana K. Arnold's What Girls Are Made Of and Han Kang's The Vegetarian. Perhaps it is that they all just write, without any regard for how potentially disturbing, or nasty, or morbid their words, however beautiful, may seem.
But what shines the most about these sorts of books is precisely the lack of care for readers' sensibilities. When writers throw out the window any semblance of an exciting plot, or likable characterization, and instead write hard and cuttingly about things others are too scared to touch, for fear they won't render it well on paper - Moshfegh does.
The story is a drugged loop of unsavory people, taking pills and waking up confused following blackouts, and replaying old 80's movies and wallowing in frustration at the drudgery of reality. The subject matter is prickly, and the characters are all shocking in their extremes. Yet, the writing is precise, and the character is acutely relatable in her ever-growing impatience with the ennui and existential misery surrounding her existence.
Perhaps it's the portrayal of the unlikable people and painfully human acts around her that really brings out how utterly relatable and alone, even when wading through drug-riddled hazes, the main character is. Or maybe it's Moshfegh's expert exploration of how we really fare -- are we ever truly alright? Can we ever escape pain, regardless of what form in which it manifests? -- that truly cuts to the core. Who knows. It's a meandering, hopeful book -- a weird, but good, combo.
A raw, provocative contemporary work, strangely reminiscent of Elana K. Arnold's What Girls Are Made Of and Han Kang's The Vegetarian. Perhaps it is that they all just write, without any regard for how potentially disturbing, or nasty, or morbid their words, however beautiful, may seem.
But what shines the most about these sorts of books is precisely the lack of care for readers' sensibilities. When writers throw out the window any semblance of an exciting plot, or likable characterization, and instead write hard and cuttingly about things others are too scared to touch, for fear they won't render it well on paper - Moshfegh does.
The story is a drugged loop of unsavory people, taking pills and waking up confused following blackouts, and replaying old 80's movies and wallowing in frustration at the drudgery of reality. The subject matter is prickly, and the characters are all shocking in their extremes. Yet, the writing is precise, and the character is acutely relatable in her ever-growing impatience with the ennui and existential misery surrounding her existence.
Perhaps it's the portrayal of the unlikable people and painfully human acts around her that really brings out how utterly relatable and alone, even when wading through drug-riddled hazes, the main character is. Or maybe it's Moshfegh's expert exploration of how we really fare -- are we ever truly alright? Can we ever escape pain, regardless of what form in which it manifests? -- that truly cuts to the core. Who knows. It's a meandering, hopeful book -- a weird, but good, combo.
almapauline's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-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
2.5