It is, no exaggeration, one of the most exquisitely messed up character narratives I have experienced. That separation of voice was essential for me, because otherwise, this book could do a number on a reader. It wasn’t my voice it was someone else’s, and therefore the “I” and “my” and “me” and the first person location of the story was outside of myself, instead of being part of me for the period of time in which I read the story. Instead of my voice, or my mental reading voice (I hear books as I read them – I know this may seem strange) I was hearing Julia Whelan’s voice, so I wasn’t as invested in creating and hearing the narrative as my own. But I think that listening to the book – which is told entirely in first person, present tense – helped mitigate some of the effects of the narrative that I am certain would have been damaging if not dangerous to my own mental tranquility. This story is not one I could have read in text. ![]() I listened to the audiobook narration of My Year of Rest and Relaxation as part of some research I’m doing on storytelling techniques, and because Julia Whelan is a wonderful narrator, especially in first person perspectives. “My past life would be but a dream, and I could start over without regrets, bolstered by the bliss and serenity that I would have accumulated in my year of rest and relaxation.I have to issue every warning ever for this book: suicidal ideation, abuse, death, suicide, toxic relationships, possible animal cruelty, sexual abuse, assault, addiction, animal death, extreme depression, the worst doctor in the history of ever. Ultimately, I was impressed with this book, I look forward to reading more from Moshfegh. Some of it is a little offbeat and quirky, but I’m sure the early 2000’s upper east sider aspect is sure to appeal to many teenage readers. I personally found it very exciting the whole book deep dives into every facet of the narrator’s life and her quest for sleeping. I would recommend this novel to those who don’t mind unlikeable narrators and novels in which almost(seemingly) nothing happens. It is smart, humorous, and emotionally driven, and proves itself to be an all-around good read. Overall, the book was beautifully written. While her actions and treatment of other people are in no way justifiable, this novel understands that and lets her careless lifestyle serve as an amusing examination of a selfish 2000-and-something New Yorker. Despite my fast reading of it, I felt fully immersed in the glitzy, materialistic, and privileged world of the nameless narrator. I devoured it in two days, eager to finish and explore the spoiler-filled reviews on Tiktok and GoodReads. I particularly enjoyed this book, giving it 5 stars. She does this with the help of powerful sleeping drugs. Essentially, the nameless narrator of this novel embarks on a journey to avoid her earthly problems by sleeping for an entire year. ![]() This quick summary seems to raise more questions than answers but, the plot of this book is difficult to explain to those who haven’t read it. The plot of My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh is described by GoodReads as “a year spent under the influence of a truly mad combination of drugs designed to heal our heroine from her alienation from this world”. The unconventional book cover perfectly establishes the offbeat, humorous, yet painstakingly beautiful story that this novel tells. The elegant painting features a moody young woman staring into the distance. ![]() The cover is a Neoclassical oil painting created by Jacques-Louis David in 1798 titled “Portrait of a Young Woman in White”. This book has a very unique and beautiful cover, hence its popularity on social media sites obsessed with aesthetics. ![]() In all honesty, I picked up this book at Barnes and Noble because I had seen it on Tiktok and Pinterest. I knew in my heart-this was, perhaps, the only thing my heart knew back then-that when I’d slept enough, I’d be okay.” My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh Book Review “Sleep felt productive.
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