A review by ashykneesreads
Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh

dark funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book was absolutely crazy. The first half was so grotesque and surreal in the acts depicted and the second half gave way to a more subtle darkness explored through corrupt characters and their choices. The novel is named after the medieval village it is set in called Lapvona. It’s hard to try and describe the plot and I think you’ll have a better experience going in without knowing anything. What I will say is that Moshfegh’s writing style is stunning and the way she switches perspective in the middle of a passage effortlessly worked so well. The characters she creates are so complex and I feel as though I could write essays about each of them. So many interesting themes are discovered but the main focus is corruption, in the church and in the class system. The Lord of Lapvona, Villiam, is eccentric and cruel and incredible to read about. He’s almost archetypal in his portrayal as he seems so incredibly vapid, forcing his servants to ‘entertain’ him at any given moment. 

All this being said, some of the actions read about here are so vile and I felt sick reading this book multiple times. I was asking myself the entire journey if the period meant they could be blamed for certain actions, how acts of cruelty and sexual abuse were interpreted back then and now. This book was weirdly refreshing and felt like squeezing a spot. You know it’s gross but you just can’t bring yourself to look away. Moshfegh definitely made up for the strange acts in the second half though and it was just enrapturing. Each character’s arc was so fascinating and they all had so much intrigue. I loved this book and it’s strangeness and it’s complexity. It made me question everything and had me analysing details. If it weren’t so outwardly vulgar the depth in this novel could be suitable for use in A-level English or something similar. That being said the grotesque aspects are intentional and they do serve a purpose, as said previously to force the reader to assess the morality of the situation and consider how far society has progressed. 

The only thing I’m mad about is that I don’t have a physical copy to scribble in and write all my analysis. There’s symbolism and motifs that were just amazing. 

Massive, massive trigger warnings present though. 

5 stars. 
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