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A review by misssleepy
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
dark
reflective
medium-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
This book has been on my tbr for a while. It’s the first Otessa Moshfegh read.
This book is all vibes, no plot. So of course I loved it lol.
The book is really dark and I simultaneously loved and hated the narrator. This book is definitely satirical, I think that the story could only be written as a satire because only very specific conditions could make the plot (what little of it there is) possible.
I am still trying to figure out the ending. When Reva was transferred to the twin towers, I kind of saw the ending coming. It was different than I predicted, but I did think that Reva would die in 9/11. I can’t tell how that makes me feel though.
I am absolutely a girly that has dreamed of my own version of a year of rest and relaxation. After reading this story, I can say I’m still not put off on the idea. It’s just such a fascinating idea to explore and get inside of.
I did think that the explorations of the main characters grief were interesting. I think there is something to be said about having a perfect life and still longing for the numbness our narrators seeks. Her grief makes the narrators desire a bit less insufferable and is one of the more relatable aspects of the narrators personality.
Reva is the light of the book. Her longing for companionship contrasted with the narrators longing for solitude were interesting parallels to explore.
I would recommend this book to someone looking for a character driven weird girl story that explores themes of mental illness, depression, grief, and isolation. It is a mood read and probably isn’t for everybody.
I really want to read Eileen and Lapvona next.
This book is all vibes, no plot. So of course I loved it lol.
The book is really dark and I simultaneously loved and hated the narrator. This book is definitely satirical, I think that the story could only be written as a satire because only very specific conditions could make the plot (what little of it there is) possible.
I am still trying to figure out the ending. When Reva was transferred to the twin towers, I kind of saw the ending coming. It was different than I predicted, but I did think that Reva would die in 9/11. I can’t tell how that makes me feel though.
I am absolutely a girly that has dreamed of my own version of a year of rest and relaxation. After reading this story, I can say I’m still not put off on the idea. It’s just such a fascinating idea to explore and get inside of.
I did think that the explorations of the main characters grief were interesting. I think there is something to be said about having a perfect life and still longing for the numbness our narrators seeks. Her grief makes the narrators desire a bit less insufferable and is one of the more relatable aspects of the narrators personality.
Reva is the light of the book. Her longing for companionship contrasted with the narrators longing for solitude were interesting parallels to explore.
I would recommend this book to someone looking for a character driven weird girl story that explores themes of mental illness, depression, grief, and isolation. It is a mood read and probably isn’t for everybody.
I really want to read Eileen and Lapvona next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse
Moderate: Death of parent