C'mon, Eileen
- johnscreekbooks
- Dec 8, 2023
- 2 min read
In honor of its premiere in theatres next week, I decided to pick up Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh. This short novel follows the dark story of Eileen, a 24-year-old girl from "X-Ville," who wishes to escape her dreadful life as a prison secretary by any means possible--and I mean that literally.
For those uninitiated to the Moshfegh fan club, this author is known for her dark, absurdist, and occasionally funny works. Eileen was her debut novel, and I definitely saw a difference between the writing style in Eileen vs. Lapvona (I know, it was an odd first pick for Moshfegh, but I saw the cover and wanted to learn more! What can you do).
I read Eileen with a mix of emotions: intrigue, disgust, and horror--which, if you know my reading tastes, is a compliment. The short novel kept me engaged the entire time, wondering how one of the most unlikable protagonists I've ever encountered was going to get out of her small town. One aspect of the writing I really responded to was the interjections from future Eileen, who pitied and critized her past self during the course of the story. Eileen as a character was woefully pitiable, from her utter terror at her own body to the extreme judgment and paranoia she projected onto others. I think Moshfegh did a wonderful job of illustrating that a protagonist (particularly a young, female protagonist) can be deeply and truly flawed--but that doesn't make a story any less engaging. In fact, if the actions of Eileen were told from anyone else's point of view (excluding perhaps the mysterious Rebecca, for other obvious reasons), I believe it wouldn't have done the topic justice.
With themes of alcoholism, depression, institutional abuse, and well, that thing that happened at the end (spoiler: murder), Eileen is a tough read. But its unique voice and edge-of-your-seat suspense and dread kept me entertained during my entire stay in Moshfegh's head, so I definitely think its worth your while.
Pro tip for the blog readers out there: we have a few used copies of Eileen for around $10, so make sure to come down and grab your own copy!
This post is such a compelling exploration of character complexity—Eileen’s raw, unsettling presence lingers long after the final page. Your reflections on her internal dialogue and fractured self-perception are spot-on; it’s rare to see such unflinching honesty in a protagonist, and even rarer to see it handled with such nuance. Just like peeling back the layers of a character, finding the right place to begin a new chapter in life takes introspection and courage. For those seeking peace, perspective, and a slower rhythm, Paphos retirement apartments offer a blend of real estate serenity and sea view apartments that invite reflection, renewal, and maybe even a little reinvention.
This post is such a compelling dive into Ottessa Moshfegh’s unsettling brilliance—your reflections on Eileen and its cinematic timing make it a must-read for anyone curious about dark, character-driven fiction. Just like choosing a book based on a striking cover can lead to unexpected discoveries, smart online shopping habits—like using curated discount codes—can help you uncover hidden gems while staying on budget. If you're looking to save while you shop, Coupon Mama UK offers handpicked deals that make every checkout feel like a well-earned plot twist.