Reviews tagging 'Classism'

Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh

17 reviews

o3tri's review against another edition

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dark 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

1.5

Hollow, pointless and surface level.

Would've given it 0.5 if it wasn't for the last few pages

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katieohara's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective medium-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

4.25

I think that this book is one of the best examples of a character study that I have read this year. As a native New Englander if also has a certain sense of for lack of a better word, dark charm for me. However, the book is hurtling you to this big bad moment that it hints at, but it just didn’t feel as bad as I was expecting. But honestly I might just be a spoiled reader to used to the horrifying details of murder podcasts and criminal minds. Perhaps what happened is sick enough and the author is making a subtle point that if you are looking for perversion you are no better than the spoiled rich girl not realizing her idealism has consequences.

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oddreads_nicolestins's review against another edition

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

3.5

So much of this book was about making us understand how "perverse" or "deviant" Eileen was in her mid-20s. I couldn't really enjoy this book because everything was framed so negatively except her "love interests" and quick statements about her experience as an aged woman. Eileen was basically angry, depressed, and emotionally stunted so badly that she made bad decisions. That's usually how it goes, and there are so many stories like this- I can't  say how this is more "playful, shocking, or witty" (NYT review blurb 😂) than similar stories.

As for the writing style, it was okay. There were no major flaws that put me off. It just wasn't as good as I thought it would be- and of course the constant references to weight or food were very annoying. I had heard that her books were fatphobic and after reading just this book I can see that.

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nabila99's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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sarahgr's review against another edition

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dark reflective tense 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

4.0


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taylorroseship's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional 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

3.0


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toffishay's review against another edition

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

4.75

Eileen is such a unique main character. She is horrible and interesting and lonely and sad and I couldn't stop following her. I do wish that the third act happened a little sooner and that we could have followed Eileen more after the action. And the end really did shock me! I really enjoyed this book, it is my favorite so far of Moshfegh's work.

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