Reviews

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh

bookswithnicole's review against another edition

4.0

The unnamed Main character is conscious and deliberate in her desire to sleep as a way escape her callous thoughts and tortured past, as she enters a drug induced mimic of depression that lacks the guilt, shame and repercussions of the act. She, in fact is, I doubt consciously paralleling her mothers demise as a form of self curing while narrating a world she feels nothing but distaste for. The problem is the world goes on. As the MC personifies the exact criticisms she has of the world, her mothers coldness, Her best friend's self absorption she is forced to face the memories that she wants to avoid, to actually feel the sadness. But with this comes little self awareness, she continues to see herself as better, while playing mind games with her ex, uncaring for her friend, and sees others deaths as a means of escape from the pain they caused her. As Reva falls from the twin towers on the last page, a heavily foreshadowed aspect of the book, she sees it as beautiful and freeing, finally seeing the beauty of awakeness even in the most horrific of situations.

kafkaboy's review against another edition

challenging dark funny reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

micaelaxo8's review against another edition

3.0

I don’t even know where to begin. I was enjoying it at the start and then things got weird and very dark. I still don’t understand the ending like what was that??? I’m confused. I mean I’m happy she made it through and feels alive again but this book was definitely a roller coaster. I felt like the ending was a bit rushed like what’s next for her and what does this “new life” look like for her??

ritatermita's review against another edition

dark emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

rileylovesbooks's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

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

4.5

kynikoskyon's review against another edition

Dnf @ 12%

Mmm quizás le de otra oportunidad en otro momento, no se..... no me estaba gustando mucho leer desde la perspectiva de una cuica depresiva. El humor del libro tampoco era de mi gusto :/ pucha, y me había tincado tanto la premisa del libro, q lata

michellechien930's review against another edition

4.0

This book made me want to self-induce in a coma, and probably not is a good way. Still, I love women's literary fiction and flawed characters, so I'd say she ate in terms of complexity, but the third act was suffering; there is only so much that can happen when your main character sleeps for the majority of the book.

cansut's review against another edition

5.0

Couldn’t put it down. But I don’t recommend it if you’re struggling with addictions or self-harm behavior especially dangerous sexual behavior, drug abuse and eating disorders. It’s VERY triggering.

dropsfjupiter's review against another edition

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

0.25

jadorebookalatte's review against another edition

hopeful reflective sad 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

3.25