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A review by fictionalalex
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
Book 26 2022 || My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
TW for drugs
Where do I even start with this review? This book follows a woman in her attempt to hibernate for a year in an attempt to restart her life. With the help of her therapist, she takes an assortment of medications in an attempt to stay unconscious, only leaving her apartment for coffee and appointments.
The cast of characters in this book is unusual and honestly not super likable. The character I appreciated the most was Reva, the main character's best friend, and I spent most of the time book mad about her being underappreciated. Our main character comes off as blunt and snarky, but also painfully relatable.
I think the main thing I found with this book was this it's quite a clever satire of the story itself -- it mocks the art culture our main character despises while producing it itself throughout the book. It reminded me a lot of the book Bunny by Mona Awad in that way -- they are both fascinating but unusual journeys that keep you reading and produce almost melancholy feelings when reading them.
The ending caught me off guard completely, and I haven't quite decided how I feel about it yet. I think I might need a reread or two to truly flatten out my review, but I know this is one of those stories I will likely think of for a while.
Overall, it is an intriguing and complex story that you can't help but keep reading.
Again, another book I would recommend looking at the trigger warnings for on The Story Graph before pursuing as it covers a plethora of difficult topics.
4 stars.
TW for drugs
Where do I even start with this review? This book follows a woman in her attempt to hibernate for a year in an attempt to restart her life. With the help of her therapist, she takes an assortment of medications in an attempt to stay unconscious, only leaving her apartment for coffee and appointments.
The cast of characters in this book is unusual and honestly not super likable. The character I appreciated the most was Reva, the main character's best friend, and I spent most of the time book mad about her being underappreciated. Our main character comes off as blunt and snarky, but also painfully relatable.
I think the main thing I found with this book was this it's quite a clever satire of the story itself -- it mocks the art culture our main character despises while producing it itself throughout the book. It reminded me a lot of the book Bunny by Mona Awad in that way -- they are both fascinating but unusual journeys that keep you reading and produce almost melancholy feelings when reading them.
The ending caught me off guard completely, and I haven't quite decided how I feel about it yet. I think I might need a reread or two to truly flatten out my review, but I know this is one of those stories I will likely think of for a while.
Overall, it is an intriguing and complex story that you can't help but keep reading.
Again, another book I would recommend looking at the trigger warnings for on The Story Graph before pursuing as it covers a plethora of difficult topics.
4 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Eating disorder, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Alcohol, and Suicide
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Suicidal thoughts, Abortion, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Classism