Reviews

Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh

vavocado's review against another edition

challenging dark tense fast-paced

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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror

mypagesofliterature's review against another edition

I’m finally free

nc0l's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious medium-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

3.75

laideyofthelake's review against another edition

challenging dark funny mysterious reflective sad tense fast-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

5.0

Visceral and grotesque, this book is a poignant and largely grim reflection on power, belief, and the dark sides of love. I particularly loved the allegorical/satirical tone and magic realism elements within a medievalist setting. More contemporary fiction using medieval aesthetics please!! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, and Sexual assault

littlespookysmut's review against another edition

4.0

I really liked this!! Everyone is pretty terrible but I love Villiam (so good)

I read a lot of gross stuff but I didn’t think this was all that graphic!

unculturedswinehart's review against another edition

2.0

All written for shock factor, not much actual substance.

somethingblue4's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

4.25

dark, eerie, and introspective, this is a read I'm still not sure how I feel about, but there is no regret. 

alymiwasaa's review against another edition

2.0

disappointing, i wanted to like this book SO much more than i did. i’ve never read any of moshfegh’s work, but the nonchalant style coupled with the almost torture-porn-y content really irked me. it ended up feeling like a moral orel midsommar love child, but taking all of the charm and nuance out of both.

edit: i felt like this book was more focused on being morbid and disgusting than anything. i wish that there was more focus on the theme of religion, because even though it was the driving force for most of the characters, we really don't get much. and not in cool, shrouded in mystery kind of way.

also, the misunderstanding trope that takes up almost the entire final act of the novel? extremely irritating. and then that ending... everyone just dies, and marek presumably throws the baby off a cliff? what a waste.

arrittlexiedwards's review against another edition

DNF'd - was weird but in a bad way. I got real close to finishing and decided not to but am still shelving it because of the time I spent reading it

humblebee20's review against another edition

5.0

This book was something sitting on my shelf for a while that I finally picked up and I am so glad I did. This feels like a divine tragedy in all the best ways. You see these pieces put side by side and watch as it all falls into place. Everything has a purpose and place and you watch the car crash happen in slow motion. This book feels like what "Of Mice and Men" was supposed to feel like. It is dark and gritty and sad, but I could not stop reading. As someone who has never seen GoT, I hope it's remotely like this.