Reviews - Mi Nombre Era Eileen

10.9k reviews for:

Mi Nombre Era Eileen

Ottessa Moshfegh

3.57 AVERAGE

katelynmurtha's review against another edition

1.0

Did not finish - couldn't get into this one. Maybe it was the conflicting weather (Winter there, summer here), maybe it was obnoxious main character- maybe I'll try again some day

meteowrong's review against another edition

2.75

medium-paced

mid.

jennixann's review against another edition

2.0

dark

Content Warnings

fancifie's review against another edition

4.0

dark mysterious sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

megankirby's review against another edition

3.0

I appreciated Eileen's grungy, twitchy, despicable voice--and the rare depiction of a woman who obsesses and revels in her own filth--but Eileen fell a little flat for me. It was very slow to start, with most of the first half dedicated to character study before the plot really begins. The writing itself was stellar, really nailing down Eileen's voice. Rarely have I been so disgusted by a narrator while still turning the page.

I will say, I find myself thinking about the book in the days since I finished--especially a single ambiguous line near the end. (No spoilers!) This was a quick read, and I was never bored.

littlelibrarii's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

souhailareads's review against another edition

3.0

dark sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Loveable characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Reading Eileen felt like being on a seesaw: I was either bored out of my mind or completely hooked—no middle ground. It’s not my top pick for the “unhinged female narrator” genre, but it’s still an impressive deep dive into the psyche of a truly unlikeable narrator.