Jessica Wang

Moshfegh exposes the emptiness and futility of chasing after superficial pleasures, painting a bleak portrait of a society adrift in a sea of excess. However, her dry wit and razor-sharp observations inject much-needed lightness into an otherwise heavy narrative, making it a surprisingly enjoyable read.

Sometimes, you just want to sleep. The stress of everything around you presses on more and more. Maybe erasing yourself would serve as the easiest form of release from all external pressures. But the world doesn’t stop itself behind closed eyelids: so perhaps it is best we open our eyes.

The unnamed protagonist of Ottessa Moshfegh’s “My Year of Rest and Relaxation,” disillusioned with her life and the world around her, embarks on an experiment. She begins a year-long hibernation, facilitated by a cocktail of prescription drugs, intending to erase herself from existence. We follow her journey as her self-destructive tendencies escalate. 

Moshfegh’s protagonist is not a likable character. She is self-absorbed, detached and often callous in her interactions with others. While up-and-coming modern artist Ping Xi enables the protagonist’s erasure of herself in his desire to make her his muse for his next exhibition, her best friend Reva remains by her side as she sinks into a drug-induced haze. 

The contrast between Ping Xi and Reva presented one of the most interesting dynamics in the novel. Despite the two characters never interacting within the story, the choices of the protagonist reflect their opposite influences. 

Ping Xi leads the protagonist down a path of escapism and self-indulgence. His motives remain ambiguous and self-serving, representing a dangerous temptation that leads the protagonist deeper down her path of self-destruction.

Meanwhile, Reva persists in her efforts to pull her friend out of misery, despite the protagonist’s attempts to push her away and wallow in self-destructive behavior. She offers support, companionship and practical advice, even when facing rejection and disappointment.

Moshfegh exposes the emptiness and futility of chasing after superficial pleasures, painting a bleak portrait of a society adrift in a sea of excess. However, her dry wit and razor-sharp observations inject much-needed lightness into an otherwise heavy narrative, making it a surprisingly enjoyable read. 

The novel prompts a reflection on the nature of happiness and fulfillment. It invites readers to question the validity of such pursuits and to consider alternative paths to satisfaction. Rather than seeking refuge in numbness, the novel’s message encourages an embracing of life’s challenges and uncertainties as opportunities for growth and self-discovery. Despite her attempts to erase herself from existence, the protagonist ultimately confronts the truth of her own identity and experiences true clarity. 

“There she is, a human being, diving into the unknown, and she is wide awake.” ― Ottessa Moshfegh, “My Year of Rest and Relaxation“