New York City in the year 2000. A young and beautiful woman is on the brink of emotional collapse. Weighed down by the recent death of both parents, the rejection from her toxic boyfriend, and the seemingly intolerable expectations of living, she finds solace in a plan of hibernation.

She seeks professional help from a not-so professional psychiatrist, Doctor Tuttle, who prescribes her a cocktail of narcotics.

With his aid, she attempts to leave her previous attachments behind through a year of sleeping in search of a new self. However, her insatiable need for intimacy ultimately conjures up memories of her past; both the cold relationships she had with her mother and her father, and the turbulent relationship she had with her sadistic ex-boyfriend, Trevor.

The novel’s use of a non-linear time line reinforces the erratic nature of her drug-fuelled and unravelling state; the story transitions from lucid moments to incoherent stupors.

This choice of narration and Moshfegh’s use of dark humour allowed me to suspend doubt regarding the bizarreness of the narrative. I found myself engaged with the character, although I didn’t find her likeable, nor is she meant to be.

This novel effectively captures an innate human desire to be nurtured. Moshfegh is a keen observer of the demands of modern life. I found this novel harsh and sad, but I enjoyed it, and there were also some very tender and funny moments.

Reviewed by Akina Hansen