Reviews

Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh

stefs1974's review

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dark tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

bookber's review

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2.0

I can't really explain it but something about Ottessa Moshfegh's writing just isn't for me. I find it so hard to engage with and I get bored after a few pages, leaving me wondering what the whole point of the book is.

I wanted something really unhinged and crazy so I was disappointed that Rebecca doesn't come into the story until around halfway. The ending was good but by then I felt like I was forcing myself to finish it.

I don't think I'll read anymore of Moshfegh's books to be honest as I've not enjoyed this or [b:Lapvona|59693959|Lapvona|Ottessa Moshfegh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1637763820l/59693959._SY75_.jpg|90580155].

fatoodles's review

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dark mysterious reflective 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

2.5

My feelings on this novel are difficult to explain. 
I like an unhinged main character but I wasn't a fan of this one. I think I prefer those types of stories to be a bit lighter and more on the comedic side. Funny enough the synopsis says that it is comedic but I just found it really uncomfortable. Things only started happening in the final few pages and I felt pretty caught off guard by what happened. I really didn't imagine that was the direction the story would take when we were advised that Eileen would leave town. 

I will have to think more about the archetypes represented by the characters in this book in order to understand their motivation. 

rdempster1's review

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dark mysterious reflective 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

3.0

janagaton's review

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1.0

"Oriental girl whose parents owned a Chinese restaurant"
"she was repugnant in her fat and deshevelment...since she was overweight, I assumed she was an idiot."
"...to think of them with their blouses unbuttoned, hands in each other's brassieries, legs spread, made me want to vomit."
"he was only fourteen." (she realized as she watched a kid touch himself).

despite all these problematic moments, there were a lot of relatable and humorous parts in her inner dialogue. nevertheless, I couldn't justify giving this any higher than 1 star.

natshelf's review

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3.5

repugnant and perverse enough to enthrall a gasp, action not nearly as suspenseful as build up promised, still a thrilling read nonetheless. i liked her desire for rebecca.

mama_vees_reads's review

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dark reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

lydsil's review against another edition

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dark mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

littlespookysmut's review

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4.0

My favorite genre is unhinged woman tbh

I really liked this one! Some people might not like it cause it's really weird and our fmc is insane BUT I thought this was really beautifully written! It's like a literal fiction thriller. If you've seen Taxi Driver, she reminds me a lot of him LOL.