_eleanorgreen8_'s review against another edition

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

4.0

I found this book really interesting in the end. I love Moshfegh's writing: she captures very specific thoughts, feelings and atmospheres so well. The main character was definitely "unlikeable", but in a way I found that refreshing and less limiting. In terms of the plot - though there arguably isn't one - I found the beginning slightly too depressing and the end kind of abrupt and confusing, but around the middle of the book I was completely hooked. This book is relatable in so many ways, but also made me feel grateful for my own life at times too. There were also several moments that made me laugh out loud - such is the deep cynicism of the narrator. Would recommend. 

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karalynaa's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad 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

4.75


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doublemegative's review against another edition

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challenging dark hopeful reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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kristenjk22's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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jwagstrom's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective slow-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

4.5

Despite none of the characters being likable, I still enjoyed the process of reading this book.

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nooodledooodle's review against another edition

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reflective 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

1.25


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lauralintunen's review against another edition

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dark funny medium-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

4.25


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geraldinerowe's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny sad medium-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

4.0

This is the second of Ottessa Moshfegh's books that I've read and, like Lapvona, I loved it but couldn't tell you why. The blurb says that it's about alienation, but I interpreted it as the main character dealing with a severe case of depression which leads her to feel alienated and makes her behave so appallingly, especially towards her only friend who continues to try to help her no matter how she's treated. I don't think the ending is supposed to come as a surprise, but it was certainly more effective than I was expecting and it brought a tear to my eye. Moshfegh's writing immerses me in her storytelling (not that there's much plot here to speak of) and I think that's her secret. In fact, I've put holds on two more of her books at the library.

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_corrin's review against another edition

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challenging funny reflective 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

3.5


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blunderw0man's review against another edition

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challenging dark inspiring reflective sad 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

4.0


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