Ottessa Moshfegh's Lapvona is praised for its vivid, unsettling storytelling and richly detailed medieval setting. However, some critics find its dark themes and characters' grotesque behavior challenging and off-putting. The novel's exploration of power, suffering, and human nature is compelling, yet its grim nature may not appeal to all readers.

A reader who would enjoy Ottessa Moshfegh's Lapvona appreciates dark and unsettling narratives filled with morally complex characters. Fans of Moshfegh's previous work, such as Eileen, or readers of The Road by Cormac McCarthy and Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, will find this novel compelling and thought-provoking.

Lapvona, set in a medieval village, follows Marek, a boy believed to be the son of a shepherd, who endures a harsh life under his father Jude's abuse. Marek inadvertently causes the death of Jacob, the lord's son, leading to his immersion into the lord’s corrupted household. Amidst drought and famine, the village faces severe trials while Marek grapples with guilt and complex relationships, culminating in his unexpected rise to power. The novel includes graphic descriptions of child abuse, incest, domestic violence, sexual assault, suicide, cannibalism, and implied pedophilia.

- Ottessa Moshfegh wrote Lapvona during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, which influenced the novel's themes of isolation and societal breakdown.
- The novel's setting in a medieval-like village is a departure from Moshfegh's previous works, which typically focus on contemporary settings and characters.
- Moshfegh has mentioned in interviews that the themes in Lapvona were inspired by her reflections on faith, power, and the human condition amid global crises.

**Marek**  
Born with physical deformities, Marek is initially raised by Jude, a sheepherder in the village, and struggles with issues of identity and desire for parental love.

**Villiam**  
The lord of Lapvona, Villiam is a privileged man who indulges in leisure and exploits the villagers, disconnected from the harsh realities of their lives.

**Father Barnabas**  
A priest in Lapvona, Father Barnabas collaborates with Villiam, driven by selfish motives rather than genuine religious belief.

**Jude**  
The sheepherder of Lapvona, Jude is known for his deep attachment to his animals and harbors problematic views towards women.

**Agata**  
Agata, a woman with a troubled past, navigates life in Lapvona under challenging circumstances and struggles with her voicelessness and powerlessness.

**Ina**  
A societal outcast who later becomes a wet nurse, Ina has a deep connection with nature and provides essential care to the villagers.

**Grigor**  
An elder in the village who grows critical of the power structures within Lapvona and learns wisdom outside conventional society.

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