through dark satire and an existential analysis of capitalism, ambivalence and the idea of middle/upper class vs the world; the persona written for this character, who is nameless and understood only by her thoughts which grapple between collectivism and individualism, make this a brilliant exposition on life and wakefulness in a society that does everything it’s capable of to avoid touching grass. the last two chapters are beautifully written, yet they do nothing to redeem this self centered character who is still just as self centered. however the last two chapters powerfully acknowledges our hubris and selective self awareness as humans, with a juxtaposition of grace and humility needed to appreciate life in it’s cycle of creation and destruction.

So well written and thought provoking. Not for a feel good easy read, but something to take your time with and think about.

Probably the best book about New York and the terminal disease that is being and becoming a “New Yorker” since Taipei by Tao Lin. Thematically deep as Snow White’s slumber. The execution of the author is excellent, she is clearly a generational talent.

Ms otessa ate

Read this over a long weekend while sick - it is depressing, hilarious, infuriating, satirical in the best of ways.

I have mixed feelings about My Year of Rest and Relaxation. The book is both bizarrely fascinating and disturbing. I couldn’t put it down. The writing is razor sharp and lucid. I despised the main character though until the last two chapters. She loathes the world and in turn, herself. This is the first book I’ve read by Moshfegh. I’m not sure that I will read another. But like a trainwreck, it’s hard to look away and her book was hard for me to put down.

I read the reviews that this book was funny. It is not. At all. The main character is honestly a terrible person and I loathed her but the ending redeemed itself in what I would call an appalling way. It was entirely telegraphed though and no real surprise to it. Her friend was an interesting character but reading about some beautiful, self-centered rich girl who needs to escape her horrible life of designer clothes and art galleries was off putting. I give the author credit for creating such a horrible person. But there was no depth at all to her spoiled state of escapism and honestly impossible drug use that will kill any normal human.

A novel about someone in the mood to feel nothing for a time, with no thought provoking end. Not the worst read but was as much a waste of my life as it was the heroine’s. Please don’t.

a strange book for women who are truly ill, but honestly this book was a good read and really fun… plus i have an idea now

Maybe more because of the writing than the plot, but I did like it. Mostly because it felt very real. I feel like these characters exist IRL, which is why it’s sad. But also reassuring, since I’m nothing like them. Their friendship was depressing and I feel this is common. Basically, this is the opposite of what I want in life. So, if you look at it like that, it makes you feel better!