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A review by asterope
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
funny
reflective
sad
4.5
A weird fever dream of a book. I'm not sure what drew me to this, but I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, the narrator is an unlikeable narcissist. I got past that pretty quickly - the slick writing gives us a clear picture of who she is up front, so this didn't put me off. The book wouldn't have worked if it was about a likeable protagonist we could root for anyway. And she's clearly depressed. She decides to drug herself into sleeping for an entire year, emerging reborn as a new person. I suppose if you're not a fan of unlikeable characters, this book isn't for you.
The author's writing is unbelievably captivating. There's not too much plot going on (considering the whole sleeping thing), but honestly, I would have enjoyed it even if it had less plot. The way places are described (Reva's cluttered apartment), or the weird details of Dr Tuttle and her fat tabby. Every little thing the narrator bought from the bodega. The early 2000s of it all. So bizarrely fascinating. I am very much looking forward to reading more of her work.
I did find the ending was a little quick. It was obvious what would happen, but maybe one more chapter could have made this part more natural. But I liked this a lot more than I expected. And now I'm worried I'll hate the adaptation! I don't trust a man to make this movie. But oh well, I can always come back to the book. I have a feeling I'll reread this and enjoy it even more the second time.
The author's writing is unbelievably captivating. There's not too much plot going on (considering the whole sleeping thing), but honestly, I would have enjoyed it even if it had less plot. The way places are described (Reva's cluttered apartment), or the weird details of Dr Tuttle and her fat tabby. Every little thing the narrator bought from the bodega. The early 2000s of it all. So bizarrely fascinating. I am very much looking forward to reading more of her work.
I did find the ending was a little quick. It was obvious what would happen, but maybe one more chapter could have made this part more natural. But I liked this a lot more than I expected. And now I'm worried I'll hate the adaptation! I don't trust a man to make this movie. But oh well, I can always come back to the book. I have a feeling I'll reread this and enjoy it even more the second time.