Reviews

Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh

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mayke's review against another edition

3.0

It'd say this book was more a 3.5 for me. The start was good, but I felt it didn't speed up a lot and I struggled to get through middle of the book. At about three quarters of the book it started to pick up and it got thrilling. That final part was great and I was totally into it. I just wish the entire book was more like that, though I also get the more slow 'silent suffering' that matches the character. I saw the book being made into a movie and will definitely check it out.

ainsleyferrell's review against another edition

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dark tense slow-paced

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

3.5

Drawn out, like a long train of thought that loses its way sometimes. Laughed out loud a few times at some just point blank dark sentences. Wish the ended wasn’t so abrupt, and the twist wasn’t super crazy. The amount of self pity was sickening.

helloreadsx's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

jjayne's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense 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

3.5

mayrad's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense 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

4.0

This is a character driven book about Eileen Dunlop -- detestable, pitiable, neurotic, self-absorbed, insecure, repressed slob who lives with her alcoholic father and dreams of escape. Told in the first person, by Eileen 50 years in the future, this is a brilliant character study of an unlikeable and unreliable narrator. I loved Moshfegh's writing with its rich grotesque descriptions. I loved Eileen's voice and her creepy obsessions. This is an unforgettable character, and I was fully enthralled until the very end.