44 pages 1 hour read

Ottessa Moshfegh

My Year of Rest and Relaxation

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2018

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh, a young, disenchanted woman in Manhattan decides to anesthetize herself from life's pain by sleeping for an entire year, utilizing a unique combination of prescription drugs obtained through an unscrupulous psychiatrist. The story follows her journey as she navigates relationships, personal trauma, and her unconventional method of seeking transformation. The novel includes descriptions of substance use, death, eating disorders, and abusive behavior.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh received praise for its dark humor, original premise, and incisive critique of modern life. Critics appreciated the compelling exploration of depression and self-destruction. Some found the protagonist unlikable and the plot repetitive, yet the novel’s provocative nature and bold narrative were widely acknowledged.

Who should read this

Who Should Read My Year of Rest and Relaxation?

A reader who would enjoy My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh is likely drawn to dark humor, introspective narratives, and flawed protagonists. Fans of The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath or Eileen by Moshfegh herself would appreciate this modern exploration of existential ennui and psychological complexity.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Themes

Identity: Mental Health

Emotions/Behavior: Memory

Emotions/Behavior: Apathy

Topics

Addiction / Substance Abuse

Grief / Death

Class