Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - Il mio anno di riposo e oblio

Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Il mio anno di riposo e oblio by Ottessa Moshfegh, Gioia Guerzoni

1137 reviews

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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kirkspockreads's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad 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

4.0

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elenival's review against another edition

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dark medium-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

3.5 stars… ? Nothing really happens, but it’s also a wild ride? A very unlikable/unreliable narrator, very "entertaining" for lack of a better word. So over-the-top that it works?

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leafy_literature's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense 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

1.5

What was the point of this book? What was the plot? The main character is a horrible person with no redeeming qualities. Her friend tried so hard, just to always get crapped on. Don't waste your time.

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misssleepy's review against another edition

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dark reflective medium-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

4.0

This book has been on my tbr for a while. It’s the first Otessa Moshfegh read.

This book is all vibes, no plot. So of course I loved it lol.

The book is really dark and I simultaneously loved and hated the narrator. This book is definitely satirical, I think that the story could only be written as a satire because only very specific conditions could make the plot (what little of it there is) possible.

I am still trying to figure out the ending. When Reva was transferred to the twin towers, I kind of saw the ending coming. It was different than I predicted, but I did think that Reva would die in 9/11. I can’t tell how that makes me feel though.

I am absolutely a girly that has dreamed of my own version of a year of rest and relaxation. After reading this story, I can say I’m still not put off on the idea. It’s just such a fascinating idea to explore and get inside of.

I did think that the explorations of the main characters grief were interesting. I think there is something to be said about having a perfect life and still longing for the numbness our narrators seeks. Her grief makes the narrators desire a bit less insufferable and is one of the more relatable aspects of the narrators personality.

Reva is the light of the book. Her longing for companionship contrasted with the narrators longing for solitude were interesting parallels to explore.

I would recommend this book to someone looking for a character driven weird girl story that explores themes of mental illness, depression, grief, and isolation. It is a mood read and probably isn’t for everybody.

I really want to read Eileen and Lapvona next.

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_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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