A review by megansmith
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh

challenging dark emotional mysterious 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

I feel like I really devoured this read and it felt like for what little was meant to happen, I was still itching to know how it all ended. The writing was really strong in this book, I loved the storytelling and even for following a character I really disliked, I was compelled by the story and the concept that was being pitched. 

What I struggled with were some of the points you had to suspend disbelief. Like, truly how did she just almost suddenly come up with this idea? Second but much bigger in my mind,

how did she not have a single side effect from mixing ALL those pills? Other than it making her less able to sleep for a while but then suddenly her three day plan happens perfectly? It was hard to suspend my disbelief that she didnt even get like, bed sores, the worst thing that happened was just some light passing out at the end. For a book that got really dark and gritty with her past, it really all just magically worked out in the end for her. And maybe that’s the point, that with enough money and self obession, you can do…anything? 

Less of a frustration point but, I do kind of love that in the end, she was still making things about herself, even after being “renewed” - she watches a horrible event over and over only to still see herself and what she wants for her own life (to be free on her own terms). I can respect the author’s incredible talent for keeping her characters consistent and real, from start to finish.