Ottessa Moshfegh's Lapvona is praised for its vivid, unsettling storytelling and richly detailed medieval setting. However, some critics find its dark themes and characters' grotesque behavior challenging and off-putting. The novel's exploration of power, suffering, and human nature is compelling, yet its grim nature may not appeal to all readers.

A reader who would enjoy Ottessa Moshfegh's Lapvona appreciates dark and unsettling narratives filled with morally complex characters. Fans of Moshfegh's previous work, such as Eileen, or readers of The Road by Cormac McCarthy and Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, will find this novel compelling and thought-provoking.

Lapvona, set in a medieval village, follows Marek, a boy believed to be the son of a shepherd, who endures a harsh life under his father Jude's abuse. Marek inadvertently causes the death of Jacob, the lord's son, leading to his immersion into the lord’s corrupted household. Amidst drought and famine, the village faces severe trials while Marek grapples with guilt and complex relationships, culminating in his unexpected rise to power. The novel includes graphic descriptions of child abuse, incest, domestic violence, sexual assault, suicide, cannibalism, and implied pedophilia.

Ottessa Moshfegh

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