48 pages • 1-hour read
My Year of Rest and Relaxation
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Book Club Questions
General Impressions
Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of mental illness, substance use, death, graphic violence, and emotional abuse.
Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.
1. How did your perception of the narrator’s “hibernation project” evolve from the beginning to the end of the novel? Similar to Moshfegh’s novel Eileen, did you find yourself simultaneously repelled by and drawn to the protagonist?
2. What role does dark humor play in the novel? How does Moshfegh balance the serious themes of isolation and depression with moments of absurdist comedy, particularly in scenes with Dr. Tuttle?
3. The novel ends with a striking image of the 9/11 attacks. How does this conclusion affect your overall interpretation of the story’s message about sleep, awakening, and being “wide awake” in life? How does its representation and use of 9/11 compare to that of other novels—e.g., Jonathan Safran Foer’s Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close?
Personal Reflection and Connection
Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.
1. The narrator uses sleep as her preferred method of escape. What coping mechanisms have you observed people using to deal with emotional pain or disconnect from reality?
2. How do you relate to the narrator’s complex relationship with Reva? Have you ever maintained a friendship with someone you claimed to dislike, and if so, what kept you connected?
3. The novel explores the impact of parental emotional absence. How do you think childhood experiences shape a person’s ability to form meaningful connections as an adult?
4. The narrator gradually transforms through her “hibernation.” Reflect on a time when you underwent a significant personal transformation. What catalyzed that change?
Societal and Cultural Context
Examine the book’s relevance to broader societal issues.
1. How does the novel’s pre-9/11 setting inform its exploration of American privilege, excess, and disconnection? For instance, consider the narrator’s privilege and how she views it. What does the novel suggest about the way economic security affects one’s ability to pursue self-discovery or escape?
2. What commentary does the novel make about the medical establishment through Dr. Tuttle’s cavalier prescription practices? Where do you see this commentary being relevant today?
3. How does the art world, as portrayed through the narrator’s gallery job and Ping Xi’s project, reflect broader cultural values and pretensions?
Literary Analysis
Dive into the book’s structure, characters, and themes.
1. Analyze the significance of the narrator remaining unnamed throughout the novel. How does this choice affect your understanding of her character?
2. How does Moshfegh use sleep as both a literal plot device and a metaphor throughout the novel?
3. Examine the role of the narrator’s parents’ house in Poughkeepsie as a symbol. What does her eventual decision to sell it represent?
4. How does the author use physical spaces—the apartment, the art gallery, Reva’s home, etc.—to develop themes of isolation and transformation?
5. Consider the narrative structure. How does the protagonist’s increasing drug use affect the reliability of her narration?
Creative Engagement
Encourage imaginative interaction with the text.
1. If you were to curate an art exhibition based on the themes of this novel, what pieces would you include, and why?
2. Imagine creating a playlist that captures the narrator’s emotional journey throughout the novel. What songs would you choose, and why?
3. Design an alternative ending for the novel that doesn’t incorporate 9/11. How would you conclude the narrator’s journey while maintaining the story’s impact?
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