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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
"A better place" is brilliant. Its own genre of brilliant.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
These short stories were very compelling, even when not much was really happening plot-wise, because of how twisted & pitiful & odd the characters were. It was disturbing in an almost funny way. I audibly said “what the?!?” at least once per story. These characters are UNWELL.
i adored my year of rest and relaxation so i had high hopes for this collection, but unfortunately i’m quite disappointed :( i rated most of the stories 2 stars, and only a couple really made an impression on me - the final story, a better place, is the only one i rated 5 stars
there were far more slurs than i was expecting, which definitely took away from my enjoyment and made already unlikeable characters even more detestable. i’m all for complex and morally grey characters, but many of the characters in these stories had zero redeeming qualities
there was also a blatant effort to shock/disgust the reader, à la chuck palahniuck - but these stories lacked palahniuk’s depth, and the depth i was expecting after reading and loving my year of r+r
overall, most of the stories were forgettable and i rarely found myself caring about what happened to the characters since i disliked them so much. many of the stories also felt incomplete, though that may be typical for a short story collection
there were far more slurs than i was expecting, which definitely took away from my enjoyment and made already unlikeable characters even more detestable. i’m all for complex and morally grey characters, but many of the characters in these stories had zero redeeming qualities
there was also a blatant effort to shock/disgust the reader, à la chuck palahniuck - but these stories lacked palahniuk’s depth, and the depth i was expecting after reading and loving my year of r+r
overall, most of the stories were forgettable and i rarely found myself caring about what happened to the characters since i disliked them so much. many of the stories also felt incomplete, though that may be typical for a short story collection
adventurous
emotional
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I finished the majority of this book during my road trip to Martha’s Vineyard. And something I realized, is that although I don’t gain much in an intellectual sense from Moshfegh’s writing, there is something beautiful about how she writes about the wants and desires of ordinary people. Ordinary people have aspects to them that are disgusting and unlikable, just like everyone, and it’s interesting to see how she writes about that. And how someone can be unlikable and disgusting, but still human like yourself. I think I would have a lot to say about this book if I did some deeper work on understanding the text and wasn’t currently half awake.
I think this book has a lot to offer for someone who is doing literary analysis work and wants to dig deep. But also, for someone who is going in and out of sleep while on a road trip, these stories were entertaining and interesting.
I think this book has a lot to offer for someone who is doing literary analysis work and wants to dig deep. But also, for someone who is going in and out of sleep while on a road trip, these stories were entertaining and interesting.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
So good. Hooked onto each story within the first few sentences.
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
like most short story collections, most of the stories i really enjoyed, others were kind of a drag to read. the way moshfegh explores characters is so intense and real i found that i couldn’t put the book down.
challenging
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ottessa Moshfegh's collection of stories leaves you teetering on the edge of something unknown, a captivating discomfort that lingers long after finishing. There's the grotesque and the bizarre, but it's a beautiful tapestry woven with raw humanity. You'll find isolation's echo, the unease of being in your own skin, and the absurdity of modern life, all painted with sharp, sardonic humor. Fatphobia, sex, and a disdain for life might shock you. Expect creepy abandoned places, disturbing imagery, and what I term as gross lit fiction, which feels all in service of Moshfegh's unique lens on the human condition. This is not a comfort read. Plot takes a backseat to the immersive experience, built on the intensity of emotional and sensory dissonance. Whether you embrace it or remain an outsider, Moshfegh's unsettling vision is guaranteed to linger long after the last page.
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes