My Year of Rest and Relaxation

by Ottessa Moshfegh
My Year of Rest and Relaxation cover
Good Books rating 4.17
Literary Fiction
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  • ID: 11594
  • Added: 2026-03-10
  • Updated: 2026-03-10
  • ISBN: 9781473549548
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2018-07-12
  • Formats: 3
  • Reviews: 3

My Year of Rest and Relaxation follows a young woman living on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, who, despite having everything she could want, feels a profound emptiness. Determined to escape the pressures of life, she devises a plan to spend a year in a state of induced hibernation, using a cocktail of prescription drugs. The novel delves into her experiences and the consequences of her radical decision, offering a darkly humorous and compassionate look at modern society and the human condition. /n/n The book has been praised for its electrifying and compelling narrative, with critics noting Moshfegh's ability to create an unlikely revolutionary in her protagonist. It has become a cultural phenomenon, sparking conversations about mental health, privilege, and the search for meaning in a world that often feels overwhelming.

Reviews
BongBong Books · 2025-10-03
engaging 4.20

The book is a darkly funny and strangely hypnotic exploration of a woman's decision to sleep through her life.

The reviewer finds the book to be a darkly humorous and strangely hypnotic tale of a woman who decides to sleep through her life to escape her problems. The protagonist's journey is both tragic and absurd, making for a compelling and thought-provoking read. The author's writing style is sharp and witty, capturing the protagonist's despair and the absurdity of her situation. The book's exploration of mental health and the human condition is both poignant and disturbing, leaving readers to reflect on the nature of suffering and the search for meaning. The reviewer appreciates the book's unique perspective and the author's unflinching portrayal of the protagonist's struggles.

Quick quotes

    The book is a darkly funny and strangely hypnotic exploration of a woman's decision to sleep through her life.

    The protagonist's journey is both tragic and absurd.

    The author's writing style is sharp and witty, capturing the protagonist's despair.

Reading, Writing and Me · 2025-04-25
harrowing 4.50

The narrator's journey through grief and stasis is both poignant and unsettling. The book's exploration of mental health and isolation is deeply affecting.

This book is a profound exploration of a woman's attempt to escape her pain through sleep. The narrator's isolation and grief are palpable, making the story both heartbreaking and thought-provoking. The author's writing style is raw and unflinching, capturing the protagonist's despair and the emptiness of her existence. It's a book that lingers long after the last page, leaving readers to reflect on the nature of suffering and the human condition. The reviewer found the book to be a powerful and disturbing read, highlighting the protagonist's struggle with mental health and the societal pressures that contribute to her isolation.

Quick quotes

    The narrator's journey through grief and stasis is both poignant and unsettling.

    The book's exploration of mental health and isolation is deeply affecting.

    The author's writing style is raw and unflinching, capturing the protagonist's despair.

The Guardian · 2018-07-11
intriguing 3.80

The novel's use of past tense adds a unique layer to the narrative, making the protagonist's experiences feel more distant and surreal.

The reviewer appreciates the author's choice to write in the past tense, which adds a layer of detachment to the protagonist's experiences. This narrative style enhances the surreal and dreamlike quality of the story, making the protagonist's journey through depression and self-medication feel both intimate and distant. The book's dark humor and vivid descriptions of the protagonist's isolation and despair are particularly noteworthy. The reviewer finds the novel to be a compelling exploration of mental health and the human condition, though the protagonist's actions and decisions can be frustrating and difficult to understand.

Quick quotes

    The novel's use of past tense adds a unique layer to the narrative.

    The book's dark humor and vivid descriptions are particularly noteworthy.

    The protagonist's journey through depression and self-medication is both intimate and distant.

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