ciwanski's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
As a sleepy girl, the first half of this book was HARD to get through omg
I think Moshfegh is a great writer, it’s easy writing that still makes you feel smart for reading it. I feel like a lot of what was in this book was relatable in a sense — I definitely lived vicariously through our mc, but it just didn’t speak to me as much as I had hoped it would. But maybe that’s a good thing?
I think Moshfegh is a great writer, it’s easy writing that still makes you feel smart for reading it. I feel like a lot of what was in this book was relatable in a sense — I definitely lived vicariously through our mc, but it just didn’t speak to me as much as I had hoped it would. But maybe that’s a good thing?
seejonsie's review against another edition
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
sillysausagezj's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
juliamcbride's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hbradley7292's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
danieldolinsky's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
camillanourie's review against another edition
4.0
This book gave insight into my desire to lock myself away from the world for a year and rest. Otessa follows a young woman through her drug abuse, superficial friendship, past relationship, and the death of her parents. The cynical and dark humored perspective from an unlikeable female lead finding what it means to be alive made me fall in love with this author
anniebarton's review against another edition
3.0
It was entertaining - I laughed out loud a few times. But like nothing happened
jedisuckerpunch's review against another edition
this book should come with trigger warnings. if you're depressed, think you're depressed, and have thoughts about harming yourself, I would suggest stay away from this one. It hits you hard. It can also increase your symptoms and make you feel like, replicating the actions of the main character.
i picked this one up because i had been wanting to go on a spree of reading unhinged, rageful women and i picked up bunny by mona awad. that was weird, hateful? yes. but also weird.
the hate in this book though is a different kind of hate. it is something, oddly, you can resonate with. at least, some of us if not all (yall saints). it comes from a place deep down. but it also manages to catch you off guard somehow.
i love how the book is written. no fancy writing but still so easy, so full of meaning and beauty. it feels like it is crafted so effortlessly - which is something i really loved about this book.
the ending made me feel like - you start a fire, with the intention of burning something down, and you watch it for a while, but then someone just puts it out with water. just like that. and you feel relieved about it. that's how it felt like reading this book from the beginning to the end.
this might not make sense. still processing this book. i will be looking out for more ottessa moshfegh books, that's for sure.
i picked this one up because i had been wanting to go on a spree of reading unhinged, rageful women and i picked up bunny by mona awad. that was weird, hateful? yes. but also weird.
the hate in this book though is a different kind of hate. it is something, oddly, you can resonate with. at least, some of us if not all (yall saints). it comes from a place deep down. but it also manages to catch you off guard somehow.
i love how the book is written. no fancy writing but still so easy, so full of meaning and beauty. it feels like it is crafted so effortlessly - which is something i really loved about this book.
the ending made me feel like - you start a fire, with the intention of burning something down, and you watch it for a while, but then someone just puts it out with water. just like that. and you feel relieved about it. that's how it felt like reading this book from the beginning to the end.
this might not make sense. still processing this book. i will be looking out for more ottessa moshfegh books, that's for sure.
justinelaporte's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed this read. I have had it on my bookshelf for years as a gift from my book loving cousin. I think this was the right time in my life to finally pick it up. This book is about grief, and I am grieving. It is about wanting to live but also wanting to rest, wanting to fall into oblivion and set up camp there. Its a feeling I understand and this book really resonated with me.
I am looking forward to reading Eileen which is my bookclubs pick for March!
I am looking forward to reading Eileen which is my bookclubs pick for March!