Really nice analysis! I hadn't noticed the progression of the rebirth imagery throughout the novel, that's a nice observation. Will be curious to hear how you eventually find her other books; this is my first from her too. I just finished this book last night. I also found it very readable in spite of the sort of monotony of the main character's actual activities and goals. I think for me though, probably also 3 out of 5 stars. I can see the author really knows what she's doing (on both a micro-level and in terms of the whole book's structure and style) and it's well-executed. (Some of these passages where the narrator spends like a whole page reciting all the movies she watched and re-watched while trying to fall asleep ... so dull in principle, yet they work so well here.) But I also think aside from the general overall feel of it, it won't be that memorable. The narrator's transformation through sleep is amusing, but leaves much less of an impression on the reader than in other books where a character transforms by ... doing anything, really. And even behind the depression which admittedly is not helping her be her best self, we still get very few hints of redeemable qualities, making it hard for me sometimes to care what she has to say.
Thanks, Mike! I’ll be reading Lapvona in the upcoming months and I’m curious to see how I’ll get on with it. You make some really good points here! I’m actually going to be reading this one soon - within the next month or two because I read another book that brought this one back to mind and now I feel like I need to draw some connections!
I’m a big believer in “not so positive” reviews - they are actually very useful ! The title is probably a part of the book’s success, because it includes that Holy Graal that NO ONE of us has in these days (rest and relaxation). But it sounds like the novel itself is not that interesting. Thanks 🙏🏻
Yes I agree - find "middle of the road" reviews to be the most helpful! True - it has as catchy title and a cover that pops. But... I think overhyped haha.
I’m not a millennial, but I loved My Year of Rest and Relaxation. It really drew me in. I adored the main character- unlikeable and flawed yes, but incredibly real. I’ve known and understand what depression is so I absolutely got it. I then read her other novels and she quickly became one of my favourite writers.
With respect to Trevor, and your obvious reaction upon uttering his name, my observation is that sometime people who have not yet found Mr. Right settle for Mr. Rightnow. Apparently it can be too hard contemplating going through life as a single person. In fact, there are several typical experiences with which we must cope. However, I was the guy who on the subway after work fell asleep head on neighbor's shoulder, much to their chagrin, even disgust. So far, I've not needed many coping mechanisms, but I do appreciate there can be genuine need for them.
Haha yea, I see what to mean. The main character definitely has some confidence issues so she settles for Trevor. I think she knows he's no good and he's just mean to her, but for a time she can't seem to stop the cycle of going back to him, so this "hibernation" process breaks the cycle. Trevor is just never right. he's horrid and Moshfegh gives him no redeemable qualities.😂
I read this a few years ago, and liked it well enough (if 'liked' is really the right word for it). Honestly, all I mainly remember is that it made me depressed and I listened to a significant chunk of it huddled under the duvet at my husband-then-boyfriend's house. 😆 Thinking back on it, I really like your interpretation of the end. She has gone through this hibernation to bring about change right as the country is about to go through a truly earth-shattering event. And that ties in with it mostly taking place over the year 2000, the turn of the century, another time of changes.
I can't imagine the experience listening to this on audio - I'd probably need therapy after😂. I'm glad my interpretation at the end makes sense and that theory is actually the only reason I wanted to read this book haha.
Very interesting review! I tried reading this when it came out because the title grabbed me, but I never made it past about 20 pages. Any therapist that gives drugs that freely should be both fired and in jail.😂 Also, I suffer from depression myself and it made me angry the way no one around her helped her find another way to deal.
Whew that therapist was a hot mess and I agree - needed to be LOCKED UP haha.Yea, I thought that too - it was frustrating how she wasn't properly helped (I do think Moshfegh did that on purpose, but still) and how it was like she came up with this bizarre way to help her self that was actually very dangerous.
@@alanaestelle2076 Meanwhile here I am calling the pharmacy, making sure that if I take my antidepressant and my muscle relaxer within three hours of each other, I won’t accidentally die. 😂😂😂 I quit taking a medication once because it made me too sleepy, and she’s trying to sleep for a year.🙄
Great thoughts on this interesting novel. I think the premise, disconnecting from everything, taking a break from the world, appeals to us all on some level. I definitely think the author is critiquing the industry that profits so much from vulnerable patients in the hands of opportunistic professionals and corporations. Her doctor was utterly ridiculous!
@@alanaestelle2076 yes, Eileen, Lapvona, Death in Her Eyes. I liked Eileen the most, by far, and own McGlue, so I’ll read that, but feels like an author I should enjoy a lot more, and keep getting mostly let down. Though Eileen was great after Lapvona, which was a waste of my time.
