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A review by marciafelis
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was quite the experience. From chuckling at Dr Tuttle's unreasonable prescriptions and advice to the uneasiness when some of the issues depicted in the book hit a little too close to home, it manages not to be boring despite the fact that not a lot of things actually happen.
There's an artist in the book, Ping Xi, whose work divides critics who either think it's genius or pretentious junk. I can't help but feel that character is a sort of prescient reference to the book's own reception, whether that was the author's intention or not.
I'm not sure whether I'll ever want to reread the book, but I certainly don't regret the time I spent reading it the first time around.
There's an artist in the book, Ping Xi, whose work divides critics who either think it's genius or pretentious junk. I can't help but feel that character is a sort of prescient reference to the book's own reception, whether that was the author's intention or not.
I'm not sure whether I'll ever want to reread the book, but I certainly don't regret the time I spent reading it the first time around.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Toxic friendship, and Death of parent
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Cancer, Death, and Grief
Minor: Abortion, Alcohol, Classism, Excrement, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit