My Year of Rest and Relaxation

“My Year of Rest and Relaxation” is a novel written by Ottessa Moshfegh, published in 2018. The book is a darkly humorous and satirical exploration of a young woman’s desire to escape her reality by embarking on a year-long journey of self-induced sedation and sleep.

The story follows the unnamed protagonist, a privileged and disillusioned young woman living in New York City in the early 2000s. Struggling with grief, depression, and a general sense of alienation, she decides to take a year off from her life by using a variety of prescription drugs to put herself into a constant state of sleep and sedation.

Throughout the novel, the protagonist navigates her relationships with people in her life, including her eccentric and sometimes intrusive best friend Reva, her distant and cold parents, and an unorthodox psychiatrist who supports her unique approach to dealing with her emotions.

As she continues her year-long journey of numbing herself from reality, the protagonist’s experiences while asleep and awake blur together, creating a surreal and dreamlike narrative. The novel delves into themes of identity, mental health, societal expectations, and the search for meaning and connection in an increasingly detached world.

“My Year of Rest and Relaxation” is known for its dark humor, unconventional storytelling, and its exploration of the lengths people go to in order to escape the pains and challenges of life. It received both praise and criticism for its depiction of mental health issues and its portrayal of a character’s extreme coping mechanisms.

Please note that my knowledge is based on information available up until September 2021, and there may have been developments or discussions related to the book since that time.