It was a little strange and unique. It was a quick one but took me a couple tries to get into it. I probably missed a couple things so will probably re-read it in the future. I am thankful I had the opportunity to read a book I wouldn’t necessarily pick up.

DNF at 38%. The fatphobia is just overwhelming and constant. The rest of the book is not compelling enough to make up for it.

Ottessa Moshfegh is a unique talent and a writer whose work I always look forward to reading. This is no exception. I found myself rivetted from the first page and reading deep into the night. Really great stuff!

3.75 stars
Another strange tale, featuring the fantasies of yet another Moshfegh character that I simultaneously find endearing and annoying af. 'Tis the magic of Moshfegh. This one is toned down compared to other pieces I have read from her but no less bizarre. Vesta is an elderly widow living in the deep woods with her dog, Charlie, when she finds a note that reads, "Her name was Magda. Nobody will ever know who killed her. It wasn't me. Here is her dead body." From here, she spirals into obsession, relating her own life to those characteristics that she creates for Magda. This is a story of reflection upon one's own life and the delusions that we sometimes choose to live within, if only to make it through the day.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Vesta, Vesta, Vesta. Where do I begin? Vesta, while out walking her dog, finds a piece of paper inscribed with "Her name was Magda. Nobody will ever know who killed her. It wasn't me. Here is her dead body". Only there is no body. She soon finds herself unable to shake the grip of the note and becomes consumed by obsession. Vesta must solve this crime or Magda may never see justice.

The book bounces back and forth between the current day crime solving spree of Vesta and the explanations of her deceased husband, her family, and her previous life. We start out believing Vesta is a sweet older woman who is just trying to move on with her life after her husband's death. It soon becomes obvious that we are dealing with an unreliable narrator as she slips past reality into a world of her own making. Honestly, I pegged this for a 3-4 star read for the first 25-30% of the book. BUT I finished reading it with nothing but 5-star feelings. I was worried about how the book would end and honestly, it's perfect. It's hard to say just who I could recommend this to, but I know for sure I'll reread again down the road.

DNF at 25%. Gave this one a couple of tries and just couldn't get into it. It kind of gives Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead vibes but not as good lol. I also wasn't a fan of the malicious fat-shaming in one of the scenes—I thought it was going to be a passing comment, but then it continues on the next page and I'm just not here for that energy. I really enjoyed My Year of Rest and Relaxation, so I'm still excited to give Lapvona a try.

Otessa Moshfegh is a new author I discovered in 2021 and quickly becoming a modern favorite. Here her prose and dark writing shines. This story, in particular, very well may not be for everyone, but you can’t deny Moshfegh’s unique voice and literary talent. It’s a twisted and spiraling story, and nothing is quite what it seems. This was like a fever dream I couldn’t stop reading. I can’t wait to dip into the rest of Moshfegh’s backlist.

Ottessa Moshfegh never fails to deliver something so new and different!! I quite literally never really knew what to expect going into this and that's something I love about her writing. I will continue to read everything she's ever done.

Thank you to both the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC of this title. We have purchased it for our library.

This is a bit of a mystery of a book. The protagonist's voice is very clear, with the prose running almost as a train of thought It isn't the crime novel I thought it could be, but is very Moshfegh. Her characters are so vivid and you become drawn into their inner worlds. I don't wish to give any spoilers but will say it was a satisfying read and I will recommend it.