A review by sassylk
Death in Her Hands by Ottessa Moshfegh

challenging dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

wow - what a strange ending. it fits with the sense of total suspense that the reader feels throughout the novel, but it also made me SO ANNOYED. I feel like I understand everything and nothing about this book. Either everything Vesta believes is true (proven by meeting Shirley and Blake) or this is the rankings of a lonely woman slowly going mad. And it can be read both ways simultaneously! I also loved the slow reveal of Walter’s abusive personality, almost as though Vesta is realising it as we are. The monologue style is done so well, with this obsessive nattering voice making the reader feel like they are taking on Vesta’s madness too, and what an interesting main character to see the world through the eyes of! I never read books centred around elderly women. I feel like nothing actually happened, and that’s what I hated about My Year of Rest and Relaxation, but the character-led narrative worked perfectly here. BUT I NEED THE ENDING EXPLAINED TO ME!!! I NEED MORE DETAILS!!!
Expand filter menu Content Warnings