A review by abbie_
Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh

dark medium-paced

3.25

Lapvona was one of those books I tore through (‘enjoyed’ in a sense despite its bleakness - though it was pretty funny sometimes), but then a few days after finishing I was hard pressed to remember the details. It felt like a more expansive story, and my copy had a fascinating interview with Moshfegh at the end where she talks about how her previous novels are more intensely focused in one person’s head. With Lapvona, she was excited to try out something new, a bird’s eye perspective capturing lots of different characters. It definitely didn’t feel any less engaging/well written than her other books, but personally I prefer a book to delve into the deepest corners of one or two characters’ heads - that’s why Death in Her Hands and My Year of Rest and Relaxation remain my fave Moshfeghs!

I remember reading @lunchpoems’ review of this when it came out and as usual Jess hit the nail on the head. It’s possibly a reflection on how many messed up books I’ve read in my life, but the gross aspects of the book weren’t nearly as drastic as I’d been expecting based on other reviews from around the internet. Moshfegh definitely likes to push boundaries, but I don’t think the 👀 aspect came out of nowhere - this is a book about what happens when people are driven to extremes both by natural causes and rich people taking the absolute piss. Mind I could have done with slightly less vomit.

Even if I hadn’t read the interview after, it’s clear to see that Moshfegh had a lot of fun writing this messed up little book, but in the end it was a middle-of-the-road read for me!
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