My Year of Rest and Relaxation
by Ottessa Moshfegh · first published 2018
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2018–2025first – last mentioned
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It's early 2000 on New York City's Upper East Side, and the alienation of Moshfegh's unnamed young protagonist from others is nearly complete when she initiates her yearlong siesta, during which time she experiences limited personal interactions. Her parents have died; her relationships with her bulimic best friend Reva, an ex-boyfriend, and her drug-pushing psychiatrist are unwholesome. As her pill-popping intensifies, so does her isolation and determination to leave behind the world's travails. She is also beset by dangerous blackouts induced by a powerful medication.
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Best: My Year of Rest and Relaxation - Ottessa Moshfegh The Great Alone - Kristin Hannah Disappointments: The Fifth Season - NK Jemisin - gimmicky nonsense. I realize I'm in the minority. Autonomous - Annalee Newitz - This guy falls…
on “Ask HN: Favorite fiction books of 2018?” ↗The author of this article is so straightlaced she didn't realize My Year of Rest and Relaxation is a satire...that should tell you everything you need to know.
on “How Postmodernism Killed Great Literature” ↗My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Otessa Moshfegh -- "a novel about a young woman's efforts to duck the ills of the world by embarking on an extended hibernation with the help of one of the worst psychiatrists" Treating People Well:…
on “Ask HN: 2018 Summer Reading List?” ↗This is the tech equivalent of ‘my year of rest and relaxation’, enjoyable to read with talk of sports and projects. I think I will try this after my current job runs its course.
on “My second year without a job” ↗