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

challenging dark reflective tense 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

3.0

Reading a lot of reviews people seem to not like this book because of the narrator and how unlikeable she is. Having read a description of this book before going into it where it was described that this book explored topics of loneliness and such from a character who is privileged in all ways, I expected to not like her. That part *mostly* didn't bother me (there were times when the book just got a bit slow and I needed a break). This book is supposed to make you cringe and grimace and hate. I believe that was the goal of Moshfegh's writing, and she does it well. I think this book just didn't strike a big landing with me. Maybe sometime in the future I will read this again and reflect on the different place I am in life than reading it now. 

Overall I don't regret reading it, I just also don't know if I love that I've read it... but it was interesting. And it made me think - for good and for bad - and I appreciate that in a book. 

I will definitly check out more from Moshfegh as an author.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings