Reviews

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh

seymone's review against another edition

4.0

Very interesting depiction of a protagonist, whom the world would deem as having everything - money, beauty, hip job, condo on the east side. Yet, internally, her world is falling apart, so much so, that she wants to take a year off to sleep. This novel explores how far one would go to get their life back on track or a total reset - with some exceptions.

P.S. The therapist leaves so much to be desired. That’s all I will say as not to spoil it

zimmermanpaige13's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-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

2.25

chickaboogawah's review against another edition

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

0.25

This book was horrible. The end epiphany that I expected didn't happen. The main character was still unlikeable. It was predictable and dumb. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Dysphoria, Grief, Infertility, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Vomit, Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Drug use, Pregnancy, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Addiction, Death, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Cancer, Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, Abortion, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, Ableism, Chronic illness, Classism, Confinement, Death of parent, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts

megang519's review against another edition

dark emotional funny slow-paced

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

3.75

lunarflare's review against another edition

4.0

3.5? i expected it to be much, much worse.

hangrim's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad

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

5.0

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