Rejection, I have found, can be the only antidote to delusion― Ottessa Moshfegh

My Year of Rest and Relaxation is a novel by Ottessa Moshfegh, published in 2018. It tells the story of a young woman living in early 2000s New York who decides to sleep for an entire year.

Using a mix of prescription drugs, she hopes to reset her life. She isolates herself in her apartment, avoiding relationships and responsibilities.

The book focuses on themes of loneliness, privilege, and self-destruction. The narrator’s journey is filled with dark humor and sharp observations.

Through her experience, the novel raises questions about identity, mental health, and the need for escape.

Plot Summary

I did crave attention, but I refused to humiliate myself by asking for it.― Ottessa Moshfegh

Storyline

The novel follows an unnamed narrator, a young, wealthy woman living in early 2000s New York. Despite having financial security, beauty, and a prestigious degree, she feels disconnected from life.

Struggling with depression and emotional numbness, she decides that a year of sleep will reset her mind and body, allowing her to wake up as a new person.

To achieve this, she turns to Dr. Tuttle, an unconventional psychiatrist who prescribes excessive amounts of medication without much concern for her well-being.

She spends months in a drug-induced haze, experiencing memory gaps and losing track of time. Meanwhile, her only real connection to the outside world is her best friend, Reva, who visits frequently despite their strained relationship.

As her experiment continues, the narrator begins blacking out for extended periods, engaging in activities she doesn’t remember.

She wakes up to find receipts for expensive purchases, emails she doesn’t recall writing, and unexplained interactions with others. Eventually, her drug use escalates, leading her to a moment of reckoning.

The novel ends in a way that is both unsettling and thought-provoking, leaving readers to interpret the impact of her year of rest.

Characters and Character Arc

• The Narrator: A privileged yet deeply unhappy woman who withdraws from life. She starts as emotionally detached, but her year-long sleep experiment forces her to confront her inner struggles.
• Reva: The narrator’s best friend, who craves validation and struggles with self-esteem issues. She contrasts with the narrator’s apathy.
• Dr. Tuttle: An eccentric psychiatrist who enables the narrator’s plan with excessive prescriptions, embodying medical irresponsibility.
• Trevor: The narrator’s ex-boyfriend, a toxic figure who adds to her disillusionment.

Throughout the novel, the narrator transforms in subtle but significant ways. Her isolation forces her to face her emotions, leading to a quiet realization by the end.

Themes and Plotline

• Isolation: The narrator shuts herself away, reflecting a desire to disconnect from the world and avoid dealing with her emotions.
• Mental Health: The book focuses on depression, self-medication, and emotional numbness, showing how people cope with pain in different ways.
• Privilege and Apathy: Despite wealth and opportunities, the narrator feels lost. Her detachment highlights the emptiness of excess.
• Self-Destruction: Through drug-induced blackouts and reckless behavior, the narrator pushes herself to the edge, believing she can rebuild from nothing.

The novel presents an unsettling yet thought-provoking view of escapism, emotional detachment, and the consequences of shutting out reality.

What Genre Does It Focus On?

This novel falls under literary fiction with strong elements of psychological drama. It is deeply introspective, centering on a narrator who isolates herself in an attempt to reset her life.

The writing is sharp and immersive, often blurring the line between reality and the narrator’s drug-induced haze.

Unlike conventional stories, this book does not follow a structured plot but instead unfolds through inner thoughts, fragmented experiences, and moments of dark humor.

The book moves at a slow and reflective pace, relying on the narrator’s stream of consciousness rather than external action.

It focuses on themes of alienation, self-medication, and existential crisis, presenting a raw and often unsettling portrayal of depression.

Readers can expect a mix of cynicism, irony, and dry humor, making the novel both thought-provoking and emotionally distant.

Despite its lack of a traditional plot arc, the novel remains engaging due to its distinct voice and bold storytelling.

The narrator’s detachment from the world around her raises deeper questions about privilege, mental health, and the ways people cope with personal struggles.

Ratings and Reviews

it was better to be alone than to be stuck with people who were supposed to love you, yet couldn’t.― Ottessa Moshfegh

Goodreads Rating

The novel has an average rating of 4.02 out of 5 on Goodreads, with over 180,000 ratings. It has received a mix of praise and critique, with many readers appreciating its depth and unique perspective on self-destruction.

Goodreads Reviews

Many readers describe the book as unsettling, thought-provoking, and emotionally raw. Some appreciate its dark humor and the narrator’s honesty, while others find her detachment frustrating.

The novel’s slow pace and lack of traditional storytelling divide opinions, making it a book that resonates strongly with some but not all.

Amazon Reviews

On Amazon, readers highlight the novel’s bold writing and its unconventional take on mental health, privilege, and escapism.

Some reviews praise its honesty and the sharpness of its observations, while others mention that the protagonist’s apathy makes it difficult to connect with her.

How the Book Sets Itself Apart

Unlike many books about personal transformation, this novel does not follow a traditional journey of redemption.

Instead, it presents a protagonist who embraces complete withdrawal, raising questions about self-destruction, privilege, and the impact of isolation.

The combination of humor, detachment, and bleak introspection makes it different from many other works in the genre.

Who Should Read This Book?

This novel is best suited for readers who enjoy introspective storytelling with dark humor and a deeply flawed protagonist.

It is a character-driven book that focuses more on thoughts and emotions rather than action or traditional plot structure.

The writing is sharp, cynical, and often unsettling, making it a compelling read for those interested in complex psychological narratives.

Age and Content Warning

The book contains mature themes, including drug abuse, depression, and mental health struggles.

The narrator engages in self-destructive behavior, heavily relying on prescription medication to escape reality.

There are also themes of grief, isolation, and emotional detachment, which may be difficult for some readers. While it does not contain graphic content, its themes require a level of emotional maturity.

People Who Liked These Books

• The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath: A classic novel about a young woman struggling with mental illness and societal expectations.
• Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh: Another dark, introspective story with a troubled protagonist navigating her own destructive impulses.
• Play It As It Lays by Joan Didion: A story about emotional detachment, privilege, and existential despair.
• The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides: A haunting novel that explores isolation, obsession, and the fragile nature of youth.
• Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offill: A fragmented and deeply personal look at a woman’s unraveling mental state.

Readers who appreciate stories about flawed characters, existential themes, and unconventional storytelling will likely connect with My Year of Rest and Relaxation.

Book Recommendations if You Liked My Year of Rest and Relaxation

If you enjoyed this novel’s themes and writing style, here are more books that offer similar psychological depth, dark humor, and introspective protagonists:

• The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath: A semi-autobiographical novel that delves into a young woman’s descent into depression.
• Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh: A psychological thriller featuring an unsettling, unreliable narrator.
• Play It As It Lays by Joan Didion: A bleak and minimalist novel about a woman’s existential crisis in Hollywood.
• The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides: A dreamy yet disturbing look at youth, tragedy, and obsession.
• Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offill: A fragmented, lyrical narrative about a woman’s emotional unraveling.

These books share themes of alienation, mental health, and self-destruction, making them strong choices for readers who found My Year of Rest and Relaxation compelling.

Conclusion

My Year of Rest and Relaxation challenges the idea of healing and self-discovery. Through its detached and self-destructive protagonist, it highlights themes of loneliness, privilege, and the desire to escape reality.

The narrator’s story is not about growth but about withdrawal, making it both unsettling and thought-provoking.

The book leaves readers questioning the limits of self-isolation and the effects of avoidance. Its dark humor and sharp writing make it a standout in modern literary fiction.

For those who enjoy introspective stories with complex characters, this novel offers a memorable and haunting experience.

More from This Author

Brief Overview of the Author

Ottessa Moshfegh is known for her sharp, unfiltered writing style that delves into themes of alienation, self-destruction, and psychological turmoil.

Her works often feature flawed protagonists who challenge societal norms, making her stories both unsettling and thought-provoking.

Moshfegh’s ability to blend dark humor with deep emotional detachment has earned her a strong following in contemporary literary fiction.

Other Books by This Author

• Eileen: A psychological thriller about a troubled young woman working at a juvenile correctional facility.
• Death in Her Hands: A suspenseful novel about an elderly woman uncovering a mysterious crime.
• Lapvona: A historical fiction novel set in a medieval village filled with cruelty, power struggles, and moral decay.

Moshfegh’s books share common themes of isolation, mental distress, and unconventional protagonists, making them compelling reads for those who enjoyed My Year of Rest and Relaxation.